At first glance, one could be forgiven for mistaking the odd marquee proudly proclaiming “ATL Rock of Ages,” in front of The Five Spot for the gaudy Broadway musical.
While both shows feature a loose collection of multi-talented individuals, their similarities end there. The Atlanta fest has its eyes set on being the beginning of movement.
The Rock of Ages event showcases local musicians.
“One day we were opening up a concert by our agent Linda Walker and the place was amazing,” said Nicholas Barnett, a band member of Hero. “It was at the Famous Pub in Dec. of 2012 and I talked to my brother (Jeremy Barnett). I said, ‘We need to throw a show here.’ He thought I was saying ‘a listening party,’ and I said, ‘Forget a listening party.’ Those were my exact words. But I told him we need to start doing like a concert event and he came to me with the name ‘ATL Rock of Ages.’”
What was originally conceived by Hero as a way to unite all struggling local talent under one banner, ATL Rock of Ages has become a premier showcase of young artist talent in just a few short months.
Aspiring photographers, models, video editors and musicians have become part of ATL Rock Of Ages as a launch pad for their respective careers.
“Basically, we wanted to bring all types of talent. Not just music but cameras, video,” band member Jeremy Barnett said. “Bringing young people who have passion, whatever they have a passion in, to ATL Rock of Ages.”
Jeremy Barnett said it’s more than musicians that make up the event. Many college graduates are finding work with them and growing from it.
“We had an intern come in and she’s a videographer… just graduated from Georgia Southern University,” Jeremy Barnett said. “She got her but she doesn’t have a job and nobody is hiring her. And what Rock of Ages did was to take her degree and put her to work we give them opportunities. Whether you’re a blogger, photographer videographer, play an instrument…come to ATL Rock of Ages and do what you love. And let’s make a movement.”
The movement in question is a young one, but the lads in Hero are ambitious in their vision.
Bounded over a mutual love for live rock n’ roll, the band of brothers (in music and by blood) have gone out and about in recruiting both bands and the artistic talent to promote them, with hopes that their grassroots vision will pick up steam.
“We want to go city to city, eventually state to state and then hopefully one day world tour,” Nick Barnett said.
Justin Barnett, Nick’s brother agrees.
“Back in the day [Atlanta] was all about the biggest platforms was for rock music,” Justin said. “And it was all live…artist just put themselves out there and they didn’t have to do all the photo shoots and stuff like that for people to notice them. We know what live music is all about we just want to bring back live music for our generation.”
Organizers hope to bring Rock of Ages to multiple cities in the U.S.
If their Saturday showing at the Five Spot on Feb. 16 proved one thing, it’s that ATL Rock of Ages gets the magic that comes from live music. The event featured its founders, Hero, as the headliners and opened up with handpicked local talent, Another Gypsy and Graham’s Number to receptive crowds.
ATL Rock of Ages may be in its infancy, but they’re a determined bunch and dedicated to a vision that puts local artists in the forefront. From humble beginnings, they hope their vision has a chance to grow on the strength of belief.
For Nick Barnett, everyone should get a shot at their dream.
“If you have a talent you should have a chance to get on stage,” he said.
