LA Hoops or ATL Breakfast?

First up, I have to tell this story.   A couple of nights ago, our own Dan Hannon called me from LA where’s he mixing at Sunset Sound Studios, to say, “You’ll never believe who I’m shooting hoops with right now.”  I guessed Bon Jovi.  After all, he’d hung out with Steve Perry only days before, so I went for broke.  Wrong.  It was John Kraskinski, “Jim” from The Office.

Anyway, yesterday Rudy Vaughn and I went to the Atlanta Public Relations Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at the invitation of our pal Glen Jackson from Jackson Spalding PR.  In fact, Rudy (left) had his guitar at the ready; he was officially the understudy for Aaron Shust (center), who was there to sing a few songs, but whose wife could go into labor any time.  

Aaron indeed sang.  He did great; his voice is always super smooth.  And if there’s a nicer dude, I’d like to meet him.  Rudy and I made some new friends, and renewed some acquaintances.  Really enjoyed meeting Eric Elwell, who was there with Aaron.  Over his 20+ year career, Eric has recorded and mixed over 50 major label releases, and in 2005 was honored with a Dove Award as a producer & engineer.  He also does production on major tours.  Great convo.  Good guy.

Afterwards, Rudy and I made an unplanned visit to the big auditorium next door within the Cobb Energy Centre where the breakfast had been, and we watched the Atlanta Opera perform Cinderella.  We capped all this off by having lunch with Matt Winters, the new service programming director of Cumberland Church in Nashville.  Good day. (Special thanks to Brian Steely at Jackson Spalding for the pics.)

So, what’s cooler?  Hoops with John Kraskinski, or breakfast with Rudy and Aaron?

Our Big News.

ONE Atlanta Music is proud to announce the signing of its first recording artist.  Today, Rudy Vaughn signed contracts to make him the first offical signee of the new ONE ATLANTA MUSIC brand.  A press release, an album release party, and - of course - AN ALBUM are in the works. For now, you can read more about Rudy here.

For those who don’t know about the mission and vision of our music brand, click here.  We want to develop talent at the local level and help it grow to the next level, as 1ATL’s Dan Hannon has done the past few years with Aaron Shust, Manchester Orchestra, Elevation, and more recently Kristy Starling (album due out 09) and the Enemy Lovers (being courted hardcore by major labels right now).  

Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this point: Glen Jackson and the team at Jackson Spalding, Kent Marcus up there in Nashvegas, Nick Kirk for introducing us to Rudy in the first place, Chris Morgan at 12Stone, our business guru David Fussell, Huff, Shane, our patient wives and kids, and many others of you.

Let’s make some music.    

A good day.

Today has been a good day.  Been hanging out in the studio, blogging while listening to Brad Fisher mix a band called Public Radio.  

Dan Hannon ran a song idea by us that he’s been working on with Aaron Shust.  And now the one and only Rudy Vaughn (check out the 1ATL player at right) is working with us on some songs in preparation of his upcoming project.  

Nothing earth-shattering to report.  Just a good day.  How was your day? 

I Could Sing of Your Dove Forever

The Gospel Music Association’s annual Dove Awards happen tonight, and our own Dan Hannon is nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for producing Aaron Shust’s “Whispered and Shouted.”

Other nominations for Atlantans include:

Spanish Language Album of the Year

• De Corazon A Corazon; Seth Condrey; Seth Condrey, Mark Balltzglier; CanZion