Return of the rock...

Can rock return to Augusta? Is there an audience for acts that specialize in plugging in, cranking up and leaving ears ringing? Apparently.

Although last night's big rock show featuring Avenged Sevenfold, Buckcherry, Shinedown and Saving Abel did not sell out the James Brown Arena, it certainly did repectable business. Kayla Ott, the arena's most exalted mistress of marketing, reported that more than 4600 tickets were sold and that the promoter was extremely pleased with the show. That's good news. It means that after a decade-long drought, things might have loosened a little in terms of bringing acts to Augusta. Thanks go to Global Spectrum, who seem to be delivering on the promise to bring acts to Augusta. Thanks go to 95 Rock, who sponsored the show and thanks go, most significantly, to the 4600 (or so) fans that were willing to put money where mouths were and support a big show at the JB. That, excusing the pun, is the real ticket.