YULETIDE TRIBUTE

Christmas seems a long way off. I, for one, haven't even decided on a Halloween costume, although I'm leaning toward Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister. So decking halls seems premature.

Stoney Cannon seems prepared to knock back some nog. He recently unveiled ambitious plans for a retooled Rocking the Stocking concert, his annual yuletide tribute. In years past, these shows have been pretty standard -- a collection of bands billed together in support of a cause. This year's event, scheduled for Dec. 5 at Sky City, 1157 Broad St., is taking its cue from the successful Musicians' Night Out concerts. The gig will feature a band (organizers are currently searching for the appropriate combo) backing singers willing to sign up for two songs -- one seasonal and the other a cover favorite. The interesting and innovative idea retools a great holiday tradition.

Singers interested in busting out a tune (or two) should contact Stoney at (706) 836-5683. Hurry, because I would guess cool songs will go fast, and nobody wants to get stuck singing that song about grandma and the reindeer.

BAND AIDE

Tonight marks the first installment of the month-long Band Aide residency at Coyotes on Peach Orchard Road. The event, structured tournament style, features four weeks of multi-band bills and a fifth of the favorites from previous performances. The winner receives a pretty impressive prize package from the Metro Spirit.

But there's a problem.

Looking down the list of what I assume should be the best and brightest of Augusta rock, I'm struck by several omissions and the inclusion of acts that, while talented, seem a bit fresh on the scene to be able to represent as one of the community's shining lights. I'm not sure Artemia, for instance, has played a show yet. I know there are solid musicians in that band, but a little live seasoning might be in order.

More notable are the exclusions. Where are the Cubists? The Shaun Piazza Band? How about the Favors, Bayou Bleu and 48Volt? Joes Graves and the Dirty Left Hand? Absent. Eat Lightening? Missing. Eskimojitos? Gone daddy gone.

I know it's impossible to include every act in a contest like this, and tough choices need to be made. Where Band Aide has issues is the focus of the person or people selecting these acts. Clearly, heavier acts are a preference. Of the 19 selected, nine -- Necessary Evil, L.i.E., Shotgun Opera, Twice Removed, Aralic, False Flag, Suns Collide, Jemani and Artemia -- are heavy acts.

I'm always in favor of anything that gets local music in front of an audience. I'm also enthusiastic about Augusta musicians, who have long been centered in downtown, finding friendly rooms to play in south Augusta. I'm just not sure the selection of acts does this event or the local music community any real favors.

DOG-FREE ZONE

It has come to my attention that several columnists at The Augusta Chronicle have embraced Man's Best Friend as a sure-fire column topic. Sylvia, Glynn, Ramblin' Don and the esteemed Mr. Bill Kirby can do what they like, but Pop Rocks remains proudly dog-free.

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