By Jaime Lin Weinstein
Desiring a musical outlet in the city of Sandy Springs and inspired by venues such as Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic and the Red Light Cafe in the Virginia Highlands, music lover and longtime Sandy Springs resident Steve Grossman has created Steve’s Live Music, offering a home for live music in the heart of this northern Atlanta suburb.
Located on Hilderbrand Drive just off Roswell Road, Steve’s Live Music opened its doors on Tuesday, June 12, to celebrate their grand opening, and, for residents of Sandy Springs, bring a taste of Atlanta’s music scene a bit closer to home. The venue itself seems to mimic the feel of the American folk music it is set to feature (headliners will include local and national talent in a range of international and american genres including Irish Folk, Bluegrass, Dixieland Jazz, Polka, and Blues) with a wooden interior; wood floors and exposed wood beams are prevalent throughout.
The main room, termed the “Listening Room,” features an intimate stage with tables available for reservation in front of a bar area with hightop tables, seating a total of 120 in all. (A tapas menu and full bar is available with a specialty drink menu that continues the musical theme with cocktails such as the Blue Grass Jack and the Dixieland Jazz Hurricane.) A back deck located off the Listening Room offers additional space for people to gather. Opposite the Listening Room is the “Music Room,” with chairs lining the walls as if inviting customers to bring their own instruments and jam, or for others, to simply sit and listen. The entire room is also decorated with musical-themed artwork by local artists for sale. “It’s a listening place,” Grossman has been quoted in describing the venue. “I didn’t want to create a restaurant concept. Everything is centered around the music.”
On the 12th, attendees listened to Grass Backards, a bluegrass band composed of Larry Benefield (Guitar and Vocals), Dan Daniel (Banjo and Vocals), and Angie Hawkins (Upright Bass and Vocals), all members of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. The band began promptly at 8:00pm and played mainly bluegrass mixed with unexpected classics like “Freebird.” Shortly into their set, a power outage affecting the entire area darkened the room, but after a brief moment of commotion a hush grew amid the crowd as candles were lit, and the band played on, proving that, when it comes to Steve’s Live Music – in Steve’s words reiterated that night – “It’s all about the music.”
Photos by Jaime Lin Weinstein
Full Gallery after the jump…
