Gram Parsons Tribute Night

CRITIC’S PICK: Born Ingram Cecil Connor III, in Winter Haven, Florida, on Nov. 5, 1946, Gram Parsons has attained legendary status as a seminal artist who cracked the walls between country, rock and R&B, propelling the development of modern country-rock in the 1960s as a member of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. By all accounts Parsons was a lovely, charming, highly intelligent person. BFFs with Keith Richards, musically partnered with Emmylou Harris, Parsons seemed on the verge of wider recognition when his struggle with personal demons led to death by intoxication at age 26.

For several years now, the Atlanta music community has paid tribute to Parsons’ legacy by staging a night of performances at the Star Bar in Little Five Points. This year’s edition features the usual stellar suspects plus a few new bands covering Parsons’ Cosmic American Music catalog interspersed with original songs: Slim Chance, Del Roscoe, Jeff Evans, Das Kaiser, The Wheel Knockers, Blake Rainey, The Skylarks and Jeremy Keen and the Six Foot Ramblers. – Doug DeLoach