Serving as the “Capitol of the South”, Atlanta has long cultivated a phalanx of entertainment enthusiasts; from artists to fans, professionals, writers, and the like. But what makes a music scene? Arguably, it is not the number of people interested in the music and entertainment world in one area, but the community that these individuals nurture and contribute to over time.

Atlanta quintessentially demonstrates this idea. There is an obvious envoy of every genre, any attitude imaginable in Atlanta music. But what this hotbed of talent is lacking is a collective – an organized, motivated, invested pool of not only talent, but also of concert-goers, business professionals, entertainment writers and promoters, and information-sharers

Enter >> 7:30 Club, Inc.. 7:30 Club exists to provide that collaborative platform to fuse Atlanta’s talent with the city’s businesses and to develop a tasteful voice that guarantees quality and professionalism among our entertainment community.

Members of 7:30 Club are music and related industries professionals who are not primarily performing musicians. Throughout the decade this group has existed, a great deal of successful business partnerships and new ventures have come to fruition. These successes are possible through fulfilling our primary goals:

1.Build a network of artists, music managers, marketing and public relations professionals, engineers, producers, and all other professionals whose business is directly related to the Atlanta music industry

2.Help create partnerships among businesses who can offer each other discounts, etc. and allow each company to endorse the others

3.Develop a brand for 7:30 Club that pervades quality, validity, hard work, and taste in regards to the artists and their music in Atlanta

There are several outlets we use to create opportunities to exceed our goals. The Performance Royalty bill currently making its way through Congress plays a significant part in the careers of those involved with 7:30 Club. If passed, the law will require terrestrial radio stations to pay royalty fees to the performers of the songs they play on the radio. The National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences Atlanta Chapter Governor, Tammy Hurt, and music manager and former performing artist, Glen Pridgen, joined us in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Old Bar to discuss the bill and its potential impact on our industry. We were able to educate and inform others, representing both sides. We will have a video blog on our website of the event shortly.

In July, we hosted a showcase with five of Atlanta’s hottest rock bands at Smith’s Olde Bar. The line-up included DuvaSounds, Idiot Slowdown, Ethan and the Ewox, The Issues, and Paul Warner. The place was packed, the bands were rockin’, and we were able to raise a little money to send a young man to School of Rock. Smith’s Management was so pleased with the event, they’re eager for future showcases! Being able to host events like this really gives these bands, who otherwise would have a really difficult time getting booked at such an elite venue on a Friday night, the exposure to music business professionals, large crowds, and a great sound system. We have scheduled our next showcase on Thursday, September 24 at Vinyl in Midtown, and we expect this event to be twice as big as the last!

In fostering this group of creative minds, the 7:30 Club develops new business ventures, supports local initiatives, and educates its members and the broader public about how we can contribute to our community’s economic, social, business, and personal growth when we all work towards common goals.

Now, Atlanta has got it all. We look forward to sharing our passion for music with you.

For more information about 7:30 Club, how to become a member, or about our next event, please contact Samantha Parvin at atlanta730club@gmail.com or 678.446.5254.