An inspiring high school graduation performance and $80 were all it took to get singer/songwriter Kurt Thomas hooked on the music business. And now, the small town country boy from Dahlonega, GA has recorded four CD's and opened for some of the biggest names in country music including Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Alan, Sugarland and Zac Brown Band. The small town way of life is a frequent theme in many of the songs Kurt writes. Kurt recalls that he used to work at an old country store called Pierce's. "All the old farmers would hang out there in the mornings and tell stories about their lives and I guess that it had a big impact on my life" says Kurt. He has recorded four CD's with Lee Davis at MLD Productions - "Kurt Thomas and the Small Town Band" was first, followed by the solo CDs, "Enjoy The Ride" ,"Turn Up The Radio" and the latest release “Six Strings and a Prayer”.

Kurt's songwriting ability is one of the most amazing talents I have seen in my many years in the music business", said Davis, an opinion supported by Kurt's 2008 win of Kenny Chesney's Next Big Star contest making him the opening act for Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Alan and Sugarland. Kurt has also opened for Zac Brown Band, Joe Diffie, Little Big Town and Blue County. Kurt has a unique ability to captivate an audience - whether playing old favorites or his own songs. "I have always tried to stay in touch with the fact that a good song tells a story and most of my songs always do", says Kurt.

Camp Jam, the nation’s largest provider of rock music camps and educational rock and roll music programs for kids and adults, is holding a benefit concert at Tavern 99 to support the Shepherd Center. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. The evening will include performances by Camp Jam EXP bands, and conclude with a performance by “Dudes of the 80s” band comprised of Jeff Carlisi, Liberty DeVitto, former Billy Joel drummer, Derek St. Holmes, guitar and vocals for Ted Nugent, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Ricky Byrd of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. In addition to the concert, an autographed guitar will be auctioned during the event.

Tavern 99 will host a benefit concert for Karren Bhullar on Monday, February 27th featuring Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project. For the past two decades, Atlanta native Roland has been the front man of the platinum-selling rock band Collective Soul. With the Sweet Tea Project, he has teamed up with a group of friends and musicians for a new approach to his classic hit-making style. Gareth Asher & the Earthlings and other popular local musicians (to be announced) will also perform. Bhullar was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer at the age of 40. She is a mother of two and the girlfriend of Joshua Huff, the guitarist for Gareth Asher & the Earthlings. Her doctors told her that her only chance of survival was an aggressive chemotherapy regimen and a double mastectomy which she will undergo this month. The concert will help ease Bhullar’s financial burden. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and advance tickets are available for $15 at www.xorbia.com or $25 at the door. Follow Tavern 99 on Facebook for updates as bands are added. Various acoustic openers tba 8pm-9:45pm Gareth Asher & the Earthlings 10pm-10:45pm Merchandise auction 10:45pm-11pm Ed Roland & the Sweet Tea Project 11pm-11:45pm Francisco Vidal & Friends 12am-close

Debutante Brawl introducing The Marietta Derby Darlins Meet and Party with the newest Flat Track Derby League in the Metro Atlanta Area. $5.00 cover and the first drink is on the house ******All Ages Party******** Live Music / Prizes / Extreme Fun / Sexy Tough Girls Come See How We Roll!!!

THE BROWNIES COMEDY SHOW Saturday, March 3rd marks the first time for the Brownies Comedy show, a stand up event featuring some of Atlanta’s best Indian comedians. The night will begin with a stand up comedy show. Immediately following the show, the Bombay Lounge after party will begin. It’s a full years’ worth of Indian culture packed into one night. The comedy will begin at 8:30 pm and will feature performances by Ben Evans, Michael Albanese, Tushar Singh, Krishna Prasad, Neel Nanda, and Neal Reddy. Come early to eat, mingle, and enjoy a cocktail. Tavern99 is a full service restaurant and bar. Food and beverage can be ordered during the show. Tables can be reserved on a first come first serve basis. Please email info@browniescomedy.com if you would like to reserve a table. Visit the website for more details: www.browniescomedy.com THE AFTER PARTY All paid tickets to the comedy show will be granted free access to the Bombay Lounge after party. It will be 2 rooms and 2 DJ’s. The Boom Boom room will feature top 40, hip hop, R&B and reggae music, while the main room will feature Bollywood and Bhangra music with a mix of house techno and hip hop. It wouldn’t be an Indian party without a Dhol player, belly dancers and hookahs.