What's On in Decatur

**Brendan James: I Got a Song to Sing Tour live at Eddie's Attic!** An American Singer-Songwriter signed to Capitol Records at age 25, Universal Records at 28, James has collaborated or toured with the likes of John Mayer, John Legend, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Keb Mo, and Andy Grammar, and his songs have been placed in over 15 major television shows and films worldwide. Writing songs on the topics of love, optimism, political enlightenment, simplifying, self-empowerment, wanderlust, and adventuring aimlessly through the natural world, James has left no stone unturned in his six studio albums to date. His performances are chock full of stories and fresh perspectives that seem to leave his crowds wanting more every time. \-- *Max Bartos* Max Bartos is a Folk and Americana singer/songwriter whose music blends introspective lyricism with anthemic folk-rock energy. As the frontman of his band Max Bartos & The Misfit Toys, he creates songs rooted in storytelling, emotional honesty, and a modern acoustic-driven sound influenced by Mumford & Sons and Noah Kahan. His debut album, Memento Mori (2023), introduced Bartos as a reflective, narrative-focused writer, exploring themes of mortality, resilience, and personal reckoning. The 2024 single Diamond In The Rough marked a refined sonic direction, while his latest release, Waiting At The Crossroads (2025) captures a defining moment in his artistic evolution—expanding his folk and Americana foundation with richer dynamics and a clearer sense of identity. With early theatrical roots, including work with Sing Street on Broadway, Bartos brings a natural sense of pacing and presence to both recordings and live performances. Fresh off a 30-date U.S. tour with The Misfit Toys, he has further solidified his reputation as a compelling live act. Recently signed with Noble Steed Music, Max Bartos continues to build momentum through intentional songwriting, immersive performances, and a growing body of work connecting deeply with listeners.

**The Travelin' McCourys live at Eddie's Attic!** From a source deep, abundant, and pure, the river flows. It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet the river changes as it remains a constant—carving away at the edges, making new pathways, gaining strength as it moves forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river. The McCoury brothers—Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo)—were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del McCoury, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could carve innovative pathways into 21st-century music. “If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass instruments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this—figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.” The band’s lineup includes Christian Ward (fiddle), who joined after Jason Carter moved on to pursue a solo career, alongside Alan Bartram (bass) and Cody Kilby (guitar). Together, they assembled a group capable of honoring the traditions embedded in their DNA while pushing the music boldly forward. In fact, the band became the only group to have each of its members recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. Their peers also recognized that bluegrass could be both historic and progressive. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Allman Brothers Band, improv-rock kings Phish, and jam-band contemporary Keller Williams were among those who formed a mutual admiration society with the ensemble. The band performed at the Allman Brothers’ Wanee Festival and guitarist Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam, an annual holiday homecoming of Southern music. An early jam with The Lee Boys—hailed by many as the highlight of the night—caught fire online and earned the band a legion of new, young fans drawn to their supercharged blend of sacred steel, R&B, and bluegrass. Other highlights include collaborations with Dierks Bentley, onstage magic with String Cheese Incident and Phish, recording an album with Keller Williams (Pick), and creating the Grateful Ball—a tribute concert-turned-tour bridging bluegrass with the iconic music of the Grateful Dead. “That’s something that’s part of us being who we are,” says Ronnie. “It comes, too, with us plugging in. It gets louder, for sure. We can’t be another version of our dad’s band. It wouldn’t make any sense for us to do that.” Their concerts became can’t-miss events—whether headlining historic venues or appearing as festival favorites—earning the love and respect of a growing fanbase drawn to their eclectic repertoire. At the 2016 edition of DelFest, the annual gathering named for the McCoury patriarch, the band delivered the festival’s standout performance. Rolling Stone called it “a sublime combination of rock and bluegrass, contemporary and classic, old and young. The best set of the festival…” The river was going new places, getting stronger. It was time to re-draw the map.

**Freddie McClendon live at Eddie's Attic!** Freddie McClendon is a singer-songwriter from Greenwood, South Carolina. He first fell in love with music as a child living in a retirement home where his dad worked, spending his earliest years dressing up as Elvis and performing for the residents who encouraged him to perform. After his father’s shocking murder in 2023, McClendon turned to writing songs as a way to process his grief. In 2024 he released Present Memories. In 2025 he appeared on Season 23 of American Idol, performing his original song “You Never Loved Him,” which moved Carrie Underwood to tears and prompted Luke Bryan to call him “the next Paul Simon.” McClendon’s songwriting often blends personal history with observations about the South, most notably in his viral single King Henry, which challenges the “Good Ole Boys” system and generational corruption in South Carolina. His live shows have grown steadily, selling out in numerous markets across the southeast. His unreleased tracks “Drinkin’ Crimes,” “Rambler,” and “Lover” have already drawn millions of views ahead of their official release, and he plans to release new music throughout 2026. In early 2026, he will also join SUSTO on their North American tour as a supporting act.

Cristina Vane live at Eddie's Attic! More than a mere practitioner of her craft, Cristina Vane brings a rare breadth and depth of musical skill shaped by countless miles across diverse geographies. On her third studio album, Hear My Call, a lifetime of pursuit and a growing treasure trove of songs converge to create a record that truly demands to be heard. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Cristina’s sound is a rich amalgam of lived experience. Born in the foothills of the Alps in Italy and raised between Italy, England, and France, her half-American, half-Guatemalan heritage is as distinctive as her music. She unapologetically blends her rock roots with a deep passion for pre-war blues, old-time banjo, country, and bluegrass. Since her early days busking on the Venice Beach Boardwalk and working at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, this deft multi-instrumentalist has honed her fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques alongside clawhammer banjo. Paired with crystalline vocals, captivating songwriting, and an entrancing stage presence, Cristina Vane has emerged as a truly exciting and singular artist. Cristina has toured extensively and provided direct support for artists including Molly Tuttle, Bob Weir, Jerry Douglas, Wynonna Judd, Sam Bush, Nikki Lane, Town Mountain, Duane Betts, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Arlo McKinley, and Willi Carlisle. She has been featured in Rolling Stone Country and NPR, appeared in a Bank of America ad for Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary, and was an invited guest for Billy Strings’ String the Halls 3. Her festival appearances include Portland Blues Festival, Under the Big Sky, Four Corners Folk Festival, and Roosterwalk.

Christie Lenée live at Eddie's Attic w/ Katie Marie! Christie Lenée is more than a musician - she’s an experience. Symphonic compositions flow from her fingertips effortlessly, with sound ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals. Christie has been described as “Dave Matthews meets Joni Mitchell and Michael Hedges,” integrating melodic pop lyricism with catchy hooks and percussive, harmonic textures. An artist celebrated across eclectic audiences, Lenée has performed at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, was a 2x Finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition, and has been covered in a variety of articles in Guitar Player Magazine, Premier Guitar, Americana Highways and Acoustic Guitar Magazine. In 2017, Lenée won first place in the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, and was named “One of the Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” by Guitar World in 2020. She’s performed alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), and Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band), and was featured on the Melissa Etheridge Cruise in 2021. Beyond her technical prowess and abundant joy, Lenée has the rare ability to connect with audiences through an emotional landscape. Her spiritual depth resonates with listeners, filling them with healing and lasting inspiration. Christie Lenée's live show embodies loops, percussion, vocal FX, acoustic tapping, bass and high energy performances. She has released six albums and toured extensively as an independent artist, selling out venues all over North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, as well as making radio and television appearances in various regions. Adding multi-instrumentalist Katie Marie to the show has been a breath of fresh air. Her joy and vibrant musicianship has added new life to the songs,” muses Lenée, adding that it’s made her performances “even more sweet and invigorating.” Christie Lenee’s most recent album “Coming Alive” reminds devout listeners of her spiritual and sublime songwriting, inspirational lyrics, and of course, sensational guitar playing. The first line of the intro title track (“I’ve got a feeling deep inside”), tells you everything you need to know: Lenée’s sixth album is a chronicle of joy and hope, of self-confidence and empowerment, of renewal and light.

Jordan Rainer live at Eddie's Attic! From Atoka, Oklahoma to center stage, Jordan Rainer is an award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. With a guitar slung over her shoulder, Jordan has brought a unique rock edge to the country music scene and has been stirring up quite the buzz in Nashville and Texas country alike. As a top finalist on NBC's The Voice, and the 2023 New Female Artist of the Year in the Texas Country Music Awards, Jordan’s career continues to gain momentum. With nearly 1M followers combined across all social media platforms, and an astounding 200M views on TikTok, her fan base grows by the day and concert tickets sell fast. Jordan has shared the stage with country music icons such as Luke Combs, Craig Morgan, Lee Ann Womack, Hunter Hayes, Brantley Gilbert, and has garnered avid support from the Queen of country music, Reba McEntire. Jordan Rainer is an artist who knows how to captivate hearts and ignite a fanbase, having paid her dues for three years in the Broadway Honkytonks playing for the rowdiest, toughest crowds imaginable. Those years on Broadway developed Rainer into a versatile, quick-thinking, and resilient entertainer whose work ethic is next to none. Her trajectory is upward and onward, with her staying power having been acknowledged by some of the world’s biggest stars.