Atlanta (band)

Atlanta was a country music band formed in 1982 by Larry McBride and Mylan Bogdan for their record label, MDJ Records. Atlanta began with four members of the touring group The Vogues, a nightclub and recording act that released the LP "The Vogues Sing for You", in 1982.

The band grew to a total of nine members and subsequently released their first single, "Atlanta Burned Again Last Night" in 1983. This recording rose to number nine on the Billboard Country Music Top 100 Chart, considered a first for an act on an independent record label with the limited marketing available. This then led to their signing of a recording contract with MCA Records, a label headed by Irving Azoff, the former Eagles manager, who was said to appreciate the close harmony singing of Atlanta. The group followed with a release entitled "Dixie Dreamin"', and then followed with "Sweet Country Music", the former hitting the top ten on the charts, and the latter hitting the top five in Billboard and number one on the Cash Box charts.

The album release "Pictures" containing these songs, and the top ten hit, "Pictures", sold over 500,000 records and was certified by the RIAA as a Gold record. The use of video as a marketing tool, which was considered new to the country music scene, contributed to the high volume of sales for this album and also provided the new CMTV television station with much needed material. Atlanta videos were in heavy rotation on CMTV nationwide in 1983 through 1986.

In 1984 Atlanta released the MCA album titled simply "Atlanta" which contained the single releases "Sweet Eyed Georgia Girl" and "Can't Ya Hear That Whistle Blow". This album also was certified RIAA gold for sales of over 500,000 copies, in spite of what critics called a 'softening' of their musical style, much due to the changes in the production team, and the use of Nashville studio musicians in addition to the band members.

Band members

Band members included Brad Griffis (bass guitar and vocalist), Dick Stevens (vocalist), Bill Davidson (rhythm guitars and vocalist), Alan David (lead gutar and vocalist), Tony Ingram (fiddle, drums, percussion and vocalist), Allen Callais (Collay) (keyboard and vocalist), Bill Packard (keyboard and vocalist), Jeff Baker (harmonica and vocals) and John Holder (drums and vocalist). Later Darrell 'Boo Boo' McAfee replaced Holder as primary drummer.

Touring

Atlanta toured constantly from 1983 until 1987, when business pressures forced them to retire from active touring. In the 1990's an album entitled "ATL Alive and Well" was recorded, containing live and studio versions of the original hits and new material. Much of the material was recorded at a series of three concerts the band regrouped to perform. The first was an " unplugged" effort for the Ryan White Aids Foundation, and was presented in Indianapolis, Indiana. The later two concerts were also connected with charity events, and were both in the San Diego, California area. As of this writing date the album has not yet been released, and may not become available to the public at any near date.

As a touring act Atlanta set a record in income for their first year with earnings of over 1.6 million dollars. This was unusual for a new country music act in the 1980's, especially for one recording on an independent record label. The band played over 160 dates in the first year of continuous touring 1983-4, on tours that encompassed coast to coast and north to south travel throughout the United States.

Atlanta was a featured act opening for Kenny Rogers, the Oak Ridge Boys,Charley Pride, Eddie Arnold, Lynn Anderson, Tammy Wynette, and many top performers of the day. They were headlined billed in State and County Fairs, as well as on many night club dates, and in theater venues.The band recorded songs appearing on the sound track for the movie "Ellie" with Shelly Winters and Pat Paulson. They were featured on TV shows,including Merv Griffin, the Jimmy Dean Show, a special on Atlanta TV " Making it in Music" and they appeared numerous times on the Nashville Network on the Ralph Emery Show, and others. The group also was closing act on the prestigious "New Country" show for radio program directors and country music industry members.

Current availability

Because Atlanta recorded in the mid-eighties, prior to the onset of compact discs (cd) in the marketplace their music is presently unavailable in this format. However two of the band's songs were released on compilations by MCA Records. The record label has declined to release on cd any other music by Atlanta to this date.Videos of Atlanta live performances from Church Street Station - Cheyenne Saloon, in Orlando, Fla, are available through internet sale sites.

Major albums

The album release "Pictures" containing these songs, and the top ten hit, "Pictures", sold over 500,000 records and was certified by the RIAA as a Gold record. The follow up release entitled "Atlanta", with Sweet Eyed Georgia Girl, and "Why Not Tonight", also was certified Gold level.