Pssst...Wanna Buy a Nightclub?

The ominous black-and-white "For Sale" sign that was recently posted outside B&H Performance Hall on Cumberland Avenue seemed to suggest that something's amiss with what has arguably become the city's favorite live music venue (voted "Best Rock Club" in our most recent MP reader's poll). And recent rumors (plus one rather apocalyptic marquee, announcing "It's the end of the world as we know it...") have done little to dispel the notion that the club may be in trouble.

Owner Sean Blair confirmed this week that the B&H is indeed having financial problems: "If something doesn't come through, we'll close in two weeks. It's just sucking too much money."

But Blair is "extremely hopeful" that a recent round of meetings with potential new partners could salvage the bar/music venue. One investor in particular, a Chattanooga business interest, has been piqued by the prospect of revitalizing the flagging club. The revamping would probably necessitate cutting back on live music, from the current four nights per week to only two, and the addition of a couple of DJ nights in keeping with the current popularity of piped-in dance at other area clubs. On the upside, however, Blair hopes to obtain a liquor license to complement the bar's already-extensive selection of import and microbrewed beers.

In the meantime, a June 20 date with Knoxville musico-poet and indie recording artist R.B. Morris will go on as scheduled, as well as an upcoming date with Chattanooga reggae 12-piece Milele Roots and a possible show with local boys Boy Genius (see below). Whether or not those performances will prove to be the B&H's swan song should become clear in a matter of days.

Tommy Boy Genius

Knoxville's latest major label export, the punkish power pop outfit known hereabouts as Boy Genius, is finally set to launch their inaugural Tommy Boy Records EP, titled Last Grand Experiment, on July 7. You may recall that Tommy Boy, erstwhile hip-hop/R&B stronghold (Naughty by Nature, Coolio, et al.), elected to make the local trio their first rock 'n' roll signee in late '97 after an unsolicited B.G. demo serendipitously found an appreciative ear in the label's A&R department.

The group—which includes singer-guitarist Tom Appleton, bassist Scott West, and drummer Brad Allison—has already previewed songs from the upcoming eight-song release on rock radio stalwart WIMZ-103.5's Tennessee Homegrown specialty show in early June; listen for a second guest shot on the locals-only program on July 5. The band will also play a free concert at the Disc Exchange's South location at 11 p.m. on July 6, one hour before their new platter hits the shelves at the store's special midnight sale.

What comes next for the Geniuses is still up in the air; according to West, the band may play a show at B&H Performance Hall in late June, depending on the venue's status (see previous note). He also expects the label to push the EP's first single, titled "My Girlfriend's In Love With Superdrag" (a playful nod to another popular local combo) to college radio stations across the country. And in late July, the trio should begin a promotional push that will include nearly 80 dates over four months across the southeast. Keep an eye out for further details and a review of the new disc.

Calling all Southern Music Fans

If only Zippy had something akin to the bat signal, he (or she) could shine it onto the ever-present Knoxville clouds to let Southern music aficionados know when there is a something just for them. Well, look up into the sky—but not directly into the sun—and pretend that you see that signal. Then run to your nearest bookstore and pick up the Oxford AmericanSecond Annual Double Issue on Southern Music. Not only does it contain a plethora of well-written stories on such notables as The Hackberry Ramblers, The Mavericks, Nanci Griffith, Othar Turner, and Bobbie Gentry, as well as a side-splitting review of two Pigeon Forge "theme" restaurants—the Alabama Grill and the Dixie Stampede—the OASADIOSM also contains (and this is the best part, y'all) a sampler CD. While some of the songs are dear old favorites from the likes of The Staple Singers, The Stanley Brothers, Conlon Nancarrow, Rosemary Clooney, and Johnny Mercer, there are some soon-to-be-classic diddies from the likes of Ben Folds Five, The Mavericks, and The Magnolia Sisters. Oh, and lest we forget, Athens wunderkinds R.E.M. choose this limited release to put out their first song without Bill Berry, called, in typical Michael Stipe angst-filled fashion, "Why Not Smile." 'Course, it's hard not to smile when you have this soul-filling magazine and CD in your roots/Americana/no depression lovin' hands. Now, if we can just figure out what this Southern music symbol should look like...

An Explanation for the Humor Impaired

Former Metro Pulse Music Goddess Shelly Ridenour is in no way, shape, or form involved with musician Seth Severns, formerly of The Plastics. It was simply an observation that lots of folks seem to be moving to Chicago lately, not some snide admission that these two had some hidden plan to move to the home of the Bulls in order to live in sin. It was a joke, written with tongue firmly in cheek. Now, all you scenesters, quit spreading filthy rumors and leave it to the professionals. Capice?

—Zippy "The Professional" McDuff