“Large Time”: The Southern Music Scene

There’s a saying down South: “Large time.” As in, “We gon’ have a LARGE time” [meaning: exceptional time, amazing experience]. This is also the title of a new book by journalist Bill King, who covered the music scene for The Atlanta Constitution between 1976 and ’86.

Even though I spent a fair amount of time living in the South, I had my own notions of what “Southern music” is. My first jump was to Southern rock, that particular genre that thrived in the 70s (Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker, et al).  The second was Country music. Both of those are true.

However, King’s book has made me widen the lens. He includes interviews and remembrances from his interactions with legends like the Allmans (Georgia) and Johnny Cash (Arkansas), but he also had a chance to sit down with acts that capture regional flavors like “beach music” from the Carolinas (The Tams).

This compilation makes it clear that Southern music encompasses a lot more than meets the ear.

There are chapters on the B-52s and REM, plus The Brains. The latter was a New Wave band who originally recorded “Money Changes Everything,” later done by Cyndi Lauper.

He spent time with James Brown and Isaac Hayes, aka “Black Moses.” He spotlights the Dixie Dregs, who combined rock, jazz, country, and classical in what guitarist Steve Morse described as “A blend, like coffee.” King also spent time with one of George Harrison’s guitar favorites, Chet Atkins, who helped forge the “Country-politan” Nashville sound.

There’s Millie Jackson, dubbed the “Black Bette Midler,” a force of nature who was unapologetic in her use of curse words and wildly sexy talk during her sets. On the other end of the spectrum, King sat with soft-spoken songwriter Joe South. His fans included Ringo, who appreciated his 70s hit songs like “Rose Garden,” “Games People Play,” and “Walk A Mile In My Shoes.”

King details the agonizing night when word came over the newsroom wire of the 1977 plane crash that killed several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, scrambling to get accurate information.  He recounts a memorable evening hanging out with Jerry Lee Lewis on one of his more, um, “manic” nights. There was a more mellow experience as Willie Nelson came to Atlanta, who spent the interview toking away. As one does.

King’s time on the beat allowed him access to iconic 70s acts like Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jimmy Buffett, and The Commodores (with and without Lionel Richie). It all captures a particular period when music was changing (New Wave and alternative evolving from rock, country music moving towards pop). That evolution may not have appeared with the same manic energy found in urban areas, but Southern-bred artists were deep in the mix, nonetheless.

King’s book is a fun read for any music fan, no matter your taste. From rock to pop to soul to gospel to country, you’re gonna have a Large Time. Guaran-damn-teed.

-Cindy Grogan

Photo: The Allman Brothers, 1978 (public domain)