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Whiskey Business & Businesses Risking It
I thought I had it this week. After months of second-guessing Doppler radars, relocating bands last-minute, and watching the sky like a paranoid farmer, we were finally looking at a Thursday with no threat of rain. I even considered starting this blog with something wild like “Hey, everything went smoothly!”
But just to be safe, I still stopped at Harbor Freight before load-in and bought two emergency tarps. Because you and I both know what usually happens when I don’t.
Moose Nicholson
14 hours ago8 min read


90s Grit, Grunge, and Gratitude
The Grumble—Patrick Daddario (lead guitar/vocals), Bob Honck (bass/vocals), and Blase Dragna (drums)—launched into a 90s alt and soft rock set that didn’t just nod to the era—it dragged us right back into it. You could hear it in the way folks started shouting lyrics they hadn’t thought about in years. The kind of songs that live in the back of your brain until someone cranks an amp and they come flooding out. Songs from Stone Temple Pilots, Sister Hazel, Red Hot Chili Pepper
Moose Nicholson
Jun 187 min read


Farmers Also - Radio Source Rocks the First Night of the Farmers Market.
We Know. We Talk About the Weather a Lot.
At this point, you could set your watch by it: Thursday rolls around, and we start nervously refreshing radar apps like they're stock tickers.
The truth is, we second-guess the skies just as much as you do. Probably more. Every week, it’s a fresh round of “Will it? Won’t it?”—and every week, the safe bet is showing up anyway.
Because even when the forecast says chaos, Amp delivers connection. And this past Thursday? No rain. Ju
Moose Nicholson
Jun 119 min read


Kenny George Band: Nashville Energy, Aiken Soul
When the forecast forced a venue change, the Kenny George Band didn’t flinch. They arrived early, worked alongside the Electric Eats crew, and helped rework the layout to squeeze their setup into the corner of the downstairs dining room. It was a tight fit—probably not the most comfortable staging they’ve had—but the energy never dipped.
Moose Nicholson
Jun 46 min read


Mike Anzalone Kicks Off a Weekend Full of Music in Downtown Aiken
Mike Anzalone, Kenny George Band, Mike Frost, and The Experiment & The I20 Horns Bring Music Downtown All Weekend Long.
Moose Nicholson
May 217 min read


The SureFires Light Up the Sky
The Thursday Night Party | The SureFires at Amp the Alley
Some nights walk in with confidence.
Others edge in — slowly, cautiously — like they’re not sure they’ll be invited to stay.
Last Thursday was one of those.
By mid-afternoon, the radar looked clear enough. The humidity was a presence. Folding chairs started to appear, and The Alley began to fill — not in a rush, but with quiet optimism. And for a while, it seemed like we were in the clear.
Then came 8PM.
Moose Nicholson
May 146 min read


George Comma Jones and Rain SemiColon Shine
It was a 70% chance for storms
According to nearly every weather app Kenny and I could get our hands on.
The sky couldn’t make up its mind.
It had the look of someone hovering just outside Southbound Smokehouse on karaoke night, deciding whether the line — and the stage fright — were worth it.
At 6:15, The Alley was a scatterplot of hopeful folding chairs and maybe five people pretending not to refresh their radar app.
Moose Nicholson
Apr 306 min read


The Heart & Soul of Aiken
The Locals Flooded The Alley
Admittedly the Masters Week blitz had a bit of mixed results. Interestingly enough, the Thursday of Masters was the biggest of the week; some combination
This year we tried something new and kicked it off with a full week of music for the coveted Masters Week! Despite being from Florida and growing up around golf, I'm not sure if I've lived where there was a giant PGA tournament, so I don't know if anyone else has A WEEK - but in the
Moose Nicholson
Apr 234 min read


Keith Gregory brings big smiles to Amp the Alley
Nothing but smiles for Keith Gregory at Amp the Alley.

Moose
Jun 3, 20245 min read
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