Interview with Jeff Montgomery, October 27, 2015

Partial Transcript: Hey, this is Alex Garrett. I'm here with Jeff Montgomery on the second floor of the Special Collections Library at the University of Georgia on October 26th, 2015.

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes growing up in Louisville, Kentucky and becoming aware of Athens through his involvement with the Furman University college radio station.

Keywords: Athens Georgia Inside Out; Athens, GA. Inside/Out; CMJ; College Music Journal; Furman University; Greenville; R. E. M.; R.E.M.; REM; Revolution Promotions; South Carolina; WPLS; underground music scene

Partial Transcript: So when I graduated in ninety-five, I had moved up to Cincinnati, Ohio to housesit for a professor with my girlfriend at the time.

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery recounts graduating from Furman University. He discusses living briefly in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Athens to work part-time at Revolution Promotions. Later, Montgomery talks about his academics and involvements at Furman, including journalism and radio shows.

Keywords: Athens Banner-Herald; Athens music scene; Flagpole; UGA; University of GA; University of Georgia; Web Watch; Yall.com; polisci; political science

Partial Transcript: So, when you--so it sounds like you sort of had this idea of Athens, almost as kind of like a mythic place where all this material you were aware of came from.

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery talks about his knowledge of Athens before moving to the city. He focuses mainly on excursions with friends during college.

Keywords: 40 Watt Club; Athens music scene; Atlanta Highway; R. E. M.; R.E.M.; REM; Wuxtry Records

Partial Transcript: So when I moved here, um, you know one of the first things that was apparent was I moved down here when the University was still on the quarter system.

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes adjusting to life and the music community in Athens.

Keywords: 40 Watt Club; Athens music scene; Boulevard-Cobbham; Furman University; Michael Huffsky; Pylon Records; UGA; University of GA; University of Georgia; hospitality; quarter system

Partial Transcript: Yeah, the way our professor illustrated it was: “Athens was the city where you could deliver pizzas five hours a week and still make enough money to support your band."

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery analyzes the pros and cons of the ease of being involved in the Athens music scene.

Keywords: 40 Watt Club; affordable housing; part-time jobs; part-time work; student music scene

Partial Transcript: On the topic of how the music scene has shifted, can you tell what you remember about the state of the Athens music scene just before AthFest kind of got going?

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery talks about the history of the Athens music scene and the pride Athens bands had in their home in the 1990's.

Keywords: Athens music scenet; B52's; B52s; High Hat; Indigo Girls; R. E. M.; R.E.M.; REM; The Elephant 6 Recording Company; indie; the Manhattan

Partial Transcript: So, I think one interesting thing that wasn’t—that started to go on around that time

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery discusses the start of AthFest and the changes that followed. He also describes a compilation CD created to showcase the music and art of Athens during the Olympics.

Keywords: 1996 Olympics; Ashford Manner; Athens; Athensmusic.net; Atlanta Olympics; Five Ring Circus; Georgia Olympics; High Hat; Troy Aubrey; music

Partial Transcript: So what were the early years of AthFest like?

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes how organizations such as Revolution Promotions and the Athens Downtown Development Authority contributed to the first AthFest.

Keywords: Art Jackson; Athens Brewing Company; Athens music scene; Revolution Promotions; South by Southwest

Partial Transcript: So, they're going back and forth about whether to do AthFest

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes the decision to create AthFest and the process of planning the festival.

Keywords: Athensmusic.net; Macha; Revolution Promotions; The Manhattan; WUOG; club crawl; indie; kidfest; student music scene

Partial Transcript: And that second year in particular, '98-- I think that was the year that the KidsFest got mentioned in the Wall Street Journal

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery talks about how KidsFest originated. He also describes the difference between Athfest in 1997 and 1998 including the introduction of the first compilation CD. Later, Montgomery describes his relationship with Jared Bailey and their influence on the Athens music scene.

Keywords: 40 Watt Club; Art Jackson; Classic Center; Flagpole; Highway 316; Janeane Garofalo; MTV; NPR; National Public Radio; WSJ; downtown Athens

Partial Transcript: Shifting gears a little, we're kind of curious about the decision to rename the festival

Segment Synopsis: Jeff Montgomery describes the transition from AthFest to AthFest Educates. He also talks about the use of festival profits.

Keywords: AthFest half marathon; AthFest revenue; fundraising; grants; nonprofit

Partial Transcript: You mentioned making athensmusic.net with Troy Aubrey.

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes his relationship with Troy Aubrey and the creation of athensmusic.net. He also talks about setting up an athensmusic.net booth during AthFest.

Keywords: Athens Banner-Herald; Athens music scene; Athfest compilation CD; Day Room; athensmusic.com

Partial Transcript: Were there any challenges early on that you completely didn’t expect that ended up taking over your life?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff Montgomery talks about the early challenges AthFest faced and how they were overcome.

Keywords: AthFest budget; AthFest weather; Bonnaroo; Classic Center; Georgia Theater; downtown Athens

Partial Transcript: You know I think the quality of the AthFest has been exceptional over the years

Segment Synopsis: Montgomery describes the positive aspects of AthFest. He also talks about bands that have played at AthFest throughout the years.

Keywords: AthFest bands; Athens music community; Baseball Project; Drive-By Truckers; Flagpole; John Mayer; KidsFest; Sugarland

Partial Transcript: I thought that maybe we would close on--you already touched a little on your hopes for Athens for the future.

Segment Synopsis: Jeff Montgomery reflects on the importance of his relationships with various bands.

Keywords: AthFest; Athens music scene; Pylon; R. E. M.; R.E.M.; REM; record releases