THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Yes, it was always our intention to put six acts into the finals of The Augusta Chronicle Singer-Songwriter Contest, and yes, there are now seven. When we tried to contact our initial six picks, one was out of town and out of reach. To ensure we would have six contestants, we replaced that act with the one that netted the next-highest number of votes. When the missing act returned and contacted us, excited about the prospect of playing, we realized there were two choices. We could go ruthless and bump it out of the event, or we could bend the rules.

We chose the latter.

For the contestants, it means more competition. For the audience, it means more entertainment value. Since getting music heard is the primary purpose of this event, it was an easy decision.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

There's nothing flashy about Augusta artist Billy S.'s annual Peace Show, which will be from 8 to midnight tonight at Sky City, 1157 Broad St.

Here's how the free show works: Billy asks people to create. It can be anything: a poem to be read at the event, a musical performance, a sculpture, painting, conceptual performance art piece -- anything, there are no guidelines. He is the host, party planner and ad hoc curator.

For him, the Peace Show is more about celebrating creativity than profit. It's why the show, modest though it may be, makes an impression.

STONES ON A ROLL?

From 1968 to 1972, the Rolling Stones were untouchable as a creative unit, but the once mighty Stones have rested on rock laurels for the past few years -- and by few, I mean about 30.

The Stones can still rock an arena with sets built on the foundation of the band's former glories, but those shows feel like the Rolling Stones Revue, a stage show powered by nostalgia rather than relevance.

I haven't given up hope, though.

There's a rumor floating around that the Stones might be looking to raw-boned rocker Jack White to produce their next record. Mr. White is known as a performer with the White Stripes, Raconteurs and Dead Weather, but he's also a formidable producer.

His work a few years back with Loretta Lynn resulted in an amazing record that redefined the Queen of Country and reminded fans how she got that title.

Guitarist Keith Richards recently told Rolling Stone magazine that he had recorded a few tunes with Mr. White, and was hoping to record with the Stones in the new year. He refused to confirm or deny the participation of Mr. White in any Rolling Stones project.

But here's hoping.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626, or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.