Before arriving at GPB, Sonia Murray was also Digital Content Manager a few blocks down 14th Street at CBS Radio. A professional journey that began as a general assignment writer, business reporter and pop music critic for the AJC (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). And to end this with one more acronym, she's also a proud HU (Howard University) graduate!
If you looked up in the sky around Exit 82 on !-20 Thursday, (you're welcome, distracted Conyers motorists!) — that drone show was courtesy of Georgia superstar Usher, owner of the state's first Dave's Hot Chicken franchise. “Once I tried Dave’s Hot Chicken and spoke with the founders of the brand, I knew I wanted to be involved with the company," the entertainer explained in a press release. "I'm excited to open Atlanta’s first Dave’s Hot Chicken and look forward to everyone from my hometown trying it."
As part of an Aug. 24 promotion for the new Peacock drama series, Fight Night: Million Dollar Heist, businesses will feature retro prices for everything from fried chicken sandwiches to manicures, in hopes of taking viewers back to 1970 Atlanta, where the real-life hold-up happened.
This year, Clark Atlanta University's radio station, WCLK Jazz 91.9 FM, is celebrating its golden anniversary. As part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the station will be honored in a "WLCK At 50" event at Atlanta's Symphony Hall on May 24, featuring Lil John Roberts and an Atlanta All-Star Band. Roberts may not be a household name, but this "musician's musician" has played with luminaries including Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Prince, Elton John and Janet Jackson.
If it could be summed up in a sentence: Rico Wade's "celebration of life" April 26 at Ebenezer Baptist Church was something Rico Wade would understandably not stop talking about. A U.S. senator eulogized him, the current and a former mayor of Atlanta shared their passionate remarks, the 52-year old was given the city's honor and it was announced that a music industry executive training program will be launched in his name.
"Rico was our leader. We were the orchestra and he was the conductor," said Kawan "K.P. The Great" Prather, one-third of the early hip-hop group Parental Advisory, now a Grammy Award-winning songwriter in The Dungeon Family.
Arguably the only thing that may be more inspiring than the Jimmy Carter 100 benefit concert airing Oct. 1 on GPB-TV is that the former president will be watching.
That — as his grandson Jason Carter suggested at the beginning of the event — 100 years after James Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Ga., he'll be watching from his family home in Plains the thousands in attendance who danced, cried and cheered during the tribute at the Fox Theatre.
" 'I Made A Vow' was the first song I sang by myself, and I still remember the reaction I got. And how I felt. It is a magical testament to me. Taps back into the spirit. Church was and still is a foundation."
The Jazz Music Awards is the first global, full-scale, music award show dedicated to jazz and the artists who create it. Dee Dee Bridgewater and Delroy Lindo host the inaugural event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
