By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
With a free concert by up-and-coming country-rock musician Will Moseley as its primary focus, Atmore Main Street’s August 1 “First Thursday” event exceeded even the highest of expectations.
Those who arrived early for the concert took advantage of extended shopping hours at several businesses in and around the Ridgely Street area, just yards away from the Boxcar Willie concert venue. A blistering afternoon sun prompted some to take advantage of the relaxed alcoholic beverage statutes within the city’s Arts & Entertainment District by sipping various icy concoctions.
Three food vendors provided on-site suppers for many, snacks for others, although the heat of the various grills contributed to the stifling humidity that was broken occasionally by a breeze or passing clouds.
But the main draw was Moseley, a 23-year-old Georgian who finished runner-up to Abi Carter in this year’s American Idol singing competition. He and his band performed several tunes Moseley wrote, as well as covers of songs made famous by Hank Williams Jr., Billy Joe Shaver, David Alan Coe, Bon Jovi and others.
Mosely invited the crowd to join in on several tunes, and several times he thanked the crowd for coming out.
“I was amazed at the concert,” said Shinora Redmond, Executive Director of Main Street Atmore (MSA), the event’s sponsor. “He did an amazing job; he and his band played for two hours straight.”
Redmond said early arrivals among a crowd estimated at 500 got another musical treat, as Travis Jackson Smith, an Alabama State Trooper who lives in Monroeville, opened the show for the American Idol star.
“It was a nice crowd; we figured about 500, tops,” Redmond said. “The guy who opened the show isn’t a [professional] singer; he’s a state trooper, but he did a great job, the crowd really liked him. He was a great lead-in to Will Moseley.”
The MSA executive director said she is convinced that the program will grow, although she admitted that Moseley would be a hard act to follow.
“We had three food trucks set up, and they did great,” she said. “It was hot, and we couldn’t control the heat, but I think it was a wonderful start to something that’s going to be ongoing, with the entertainment, although I don’t know how we’re going to top him. He was great.”
She reported that the other primary reason for the First Thursday program, to bring people into Atmore’s main business areas, was also successful.
“[A Ridgeley Street business owner] was ecstatic about the crowds he got all day Thursday and into Thursday evening; he said people were in and out all day,” Redmond said. “It was a great day for the north end of Main; those businesses had a whole lot of traffic.
“The (number of) people walking downtown was great; that’s everything we’ve looked for since the Arts & Entertainment District was established. People were outside, walking; there was a lot of foot traffic, and that was our goal.”
Moseley went above and beyond expectations, during and after his show.
“After the show, he supported Travis at the Publican,” said Redmond. “I stayed until after 11 [p.m.], and he and his band were still there. He shook every hand that wanted to be shaken; he took pictures with every kid that wanted one. He had an Atmore spirit; he was friendly, and that put the accent on the whole night.”
Kevin Garrett, pastor of Atmore First Baptist Church, and his wife, Tina, were among the crowd. The FBC preacher said the concert marked the first time he had returned to the venue, which started out as a parking lot, since his entry was chosen in March 2022 as winner of Main Street’s “name the park” contest.
“I believe it was my first time back since then, as far as an official event,” the pastor reflected. “My wife and I enjoyed the community togetherness of it. It was good to see people out, being together, that good community feel. I saw folks from all over our community, just sitting back and enjoying an evening together.”
He pointed out that the concert, which was “pretty family oriented,” drew an interesting cross section of the community and area population.
“I saw a lot of different cultures, black, white, Indian, and about anything else,” Garrett said. “People from all walks of life were there — there were some wealthy folks, there were some unwealthy folks. It was good to see the site as a focal point instead of a parking lot.”
Redmond said last week’s presentation boosted her confidence that the First Thursday program would continue to take off.
“We’re on the verge of some great stuff,” she said.