What's cooking in the South!

Photo credit: Travis Nelson 

Last night, the James Beard Foundation held its annual awards ceremony in New York City. This morning, I woke up to a wonderful piece about one of the winners, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, on the CBS This Morning. I also logged onto Facebook to find many of my southern friends (mainly the Alabamians) bragging on the winners from their region.

It got me wondering: Is the south still a place where home-cooking matters? Is it dying off more and more as the newer generations want and demand the quickness of "convenience?" Does food still hold the same reverent focal point in family and other gatherings as it once did? Who's making sure to carry on the tradition? Do people still share (or guard) their recipes? I have the question floating out in the email ether to one dear friend from Bessemer, Ala., but I welcome feedback from everyone. What do you think?

In the meantime, here's a list of the southerners who took home awards last night:

BOOK:

ANew Turn in the South: Southern Flavors Reinvented for Your Kitchen

by Hugh Acheson

(Clarkson Potter)

WRITING:

MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award

John T. Edge

Saveur

“BBQNation”

And the biggies:

BEST CHEF: SOUTH (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS)

Chris Hastings

Hot and Hot Fish Club

Birmingham, AL

BEST CHEF: SOUTHEAST (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

Hugh Acheson

Five and Ten

Athens, GA

Linton Hopkins

Restaurant Eugene

Atlanta

AMERICA’S CLASSICS (Presented by The Coca-Cola Company)

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner

219 West Louisiana St., Marianna, AR

Owners: James and Betty Jones

SOUNDS: Patterson Hood in NYC 6/23 & 24

Patterson Hood will release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) today on Ruth St. Records. The second solo record from the leader of the Drive-By Truckers has been 15 years in the making. The album was produced by Hood and long-time DBT producer David Barbe (Sugar). Most of his DBT band mates join him on the album as well as Don Chambers, Will Johnson and Scott Danbom from Centro-matic/South San Gabriel. This is also the first time Hood’s father David Hood, famed Muscle Shoals bass player, joins him on a record.

The album was recorded at Chase Park Transduction Studios in Athens, GA and will also be released on 180 gram vinyl. The vinyl release will include three exclusive bonus tracks. An a cappella version of “Range War” will also be available exclusively with iTunes. “Pollyanna” and “Pride of the Yankees” are available to preview on his Myspace page.

Hood and the Screwtopians will start the first leg of their tour in Nashville and end with a headlining slot at AthFest in Hood’s hometown of Athens, GA. Joining Hood on tour will be Brad Morgan (drums), John Neff (guitar/steel), Scott Danbom (keys/fiddle), Will Johnson (guitar) and David Barbe (bass), who has not toured since his days with Sugar. Will Johnson will open the shows. (source)

Patterson Hood plays the Music Hall of Williamsburg in BK tonight, and Bowery Ballroom tomorrow.

SOUNDS: The Music of REM @ Carnegie Hall 3/11

Photo by Anton Dee/Flickr

The Music of R.E.M.
Music Education Programs for Underprivileged Youth Benefit Concert

@ Carnegie Hall - Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
TONIGHT - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 8 PM

Featuring: Throwing Muses with Kristen Hersh, Kimya Dawson, Ingrid Michaelson, Glenn Hansard, The Apples in Stereo, Tommy James and the Shondells, Jolie Holland, Keren Ann, Guster, The dB's, Bob Mould, Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power, Rachel Yamagata, Calexico, Patti Smith, and others

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS: YOU F*CKED MY HOUSE UP!

“Unless I let you know ahead of time (or unless you're some shithot shit), you probably won't get very much money for playing here. If you're a band from Athens you will not get any money for playing here, and if you're from Atlanta it will probably be gas money and a little extra for some vitamins and healthy treats. If you're a touring band please let me know your expectations and I will let you know if YOU'RE DREAMIN', but the cap is 100 dollars or so. 200 MAX. 300 if you're Stevie Ray Vaughn or Cindy Crawford. Please keep in mind that I am a waitress and I only get money back for the kegs if the show does really well or its an all-local show. $$$FUMAR$$$”

The Secret Squirrel is a “residential social club” in Athens, GA. Rick says: “Mercer West hosts late night house parties that usually start after 2 am and usually last until 5 am. He probably won't answer his phone and the voice mail will say that you have reached the Money Machine. Leave a message for Mercer anyway.”

Charlotte, NC’s Yardwork plays @ Secret Squirrel Feb 27, 11PM

SCENE/SOUNDS/EAT: Art Of Field Recording II - Live in Athens GA 1/31

The Melting Point in Athens will host a release concert for Art of Field Recording Volume II, a box set compilation on Dust-to-Digital of Art Rosenbaum’s field recordings of American traditional music over 50 years. Volume I, released in 2007, has garnered two Grammy nominations, was called “blindingly beautiful” by the New York Times, and was the subject of a New Yorker article by Burkhard Bilger. For more info visit Dust To Digital.

While in Athens, be sure to grab something at Garden & Gun fave 5&10 restaurant. The mag raves: Embracing a dress code “from Speedo to tuxedo,” the 5 & 10 injects down-home modern into Southern classics. Named for a five-and-dime that once stood on the same lot, the 5 & 10’s menu shifts daily, with a few stalwarts, such as Frogmore stew—a tasty spawn of a Lowcountry boil and bouillabaisse—always available. “When we opened, we wanted to be a community restaurant that cared about good bread and good wine and good food,” says chef/owner Hugh Acheson. “I come from a fine-dining background. I was running away from that as fast as I could.”

Luckily, Acheson didn’t get too far. Try the roasted asparagus covered with a poached local egg and warm bacon vinaigrette, followed by the “bronzed” redfish fillet in lemon emulsion. Such dishes earned Acheson Food & Wine’s 2002 Best New Chef award and, more recently, a 2008 James Beard nomination for Best Chef Southeast. There’s a fine, rangy wine list, too. (706-546-7300)

SCENE: Rock And Roll Means Well

Alabama's Drive-By Truckers hit their home away from home - the 40 Watt in Athens , GA - this weekend for their legendary SOLD-OUT 3-night stand Thurs 1/15, Fri 1/16 and Sat 1/17. The only way in though is to win a package (dinner, the show and hotel for the night) via charitable auction on eBay. All proceeds benefit Nuci's Space in Athens. Bidding for the show packages ends on Thurs 1/15 @ 10PM est.

The band is also hosting a pre-party on 1/17 at Nuci's space with additional auctions, including the Wes Freed print pictured below, the stage backdrop from The Hold Steady/Drive-By Truckers 2008's ROCK + ROLL MEANS WELL TOUR, and a bunch of other cool stuff.

Nuci's Space is a non-profit support/resource center for musicians in Athens, Georgia. It was founded in memory of 22-year old musician Nuci Phillips who took his own life in 1996 after battling major depression. The aim of the organization is to provide obstacle free treatment for musicians suffering from depression and other such disorders as well as to assist in the emotional, physical and professional well-being of musicians.