Biting the Apple

The Feb. 18 entry in Melanie Hammet’s journal says, “going to New York.” That was the day the busy Pine Lake singer/songwriter finally decided to take her music, her plays and her guitar to the city that never sleeps. She plans to stay for at least the rest of this year.

“I’m doing it just because I want to,” Hammet says simply.

Friends encouraged Hammet to try NYC, but it took that “get up off the couch moment” to seal the deal. Hammet leaves April 12, allowing only a small amount of time to prepare for the journey. But it was a must, she says. “I was going through one of those dark night, what’s-it-all-about, what’s-the-meaning-of-the-meaning periods,” she chuckles. “When the cloud broke, I got up off the couch and said, ‘I’m going.’”

Then Hammet quickly began an e-mail campaign, writing “anyone who might love music, theater or might just want to throw a Frisbee in Central Park.” So far, she’s lined up a place to stay and some performances. She also sent her play, I Dream Wild Horses, to an independent producer.

Before she leaves the Big Peach for the Big Apple, Hammet is throwing a beach party concert as a going-away celebration. “It’s to thank all the people who’ve supported me and I hope it will be as an inspiration for other artists to go forth and go on their own vision quest,” she says. “New York holds a lot of serendipity for me, and so does Atlanta,” she says.

A limited-edition Hammet CD, New York City, Just Like I Pictured It!, will be available for purchase at the free show on the sand.

Melanie Hammet performs at 4 p.m. on the beach at Pine Lake Sun., April 7. For more info, call Pine Lake City Hall at 404-292-4250.