A guide to the best gigs in Middle Georgia

The ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series has been traveling around the state for the last six months bringing audiences up close and personal with some of the best musicians that Georgia has to offer. For its last installment, the series is heading to the music mecca of Macon to present a “keyboard summit” with Ike Stubblefield (“Master of the Hammond B3”), Lloyd Buchanan (who tours with the Alabama Shakes) and award-winning blues artist Lola Gulley. The show will be in two phases: first, the three artists will present songs in the round, then they’ll be joined onstage by a backing band for an improv set. Needless to say, this is a unique experience not to be missed. 8 p.m. $15-$20.

Gallery West is throwing a special open house in celebration of First Friday. Why is it special? Because Paul Hornsby will be there debuting his new album, that’s why. Paul famously played with the brothers Allman in the Hour Glass, and later found success as a producer at Capricorn Records and his own Muscadine Studios. He’ll be joined by Dos Blues Guys to round out the evening. And while you’re there, you can knock out a few lines on your Christmas list. There will be photographic prints by Kirk West available for purchase as well as signed CDs and books by local artists. 5 p.m. Free.

The Great Affairs claim artists as diverse as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Cheap Trick and the Cars as influences and cite an ability to offer “the kind of sweaty, gimmick-free, big guitar anthems that’ll rattle your brain” and “just as easily ... slip into lonesome troubadour mode and soothe your soul.” They’re joined by Ninehorn, who are making their first appearance in Macon. With their stoner/desert rock, they decidedly are not concerned with soothing your soul. 10:30 p.m. $5.

Stanley Clarke is a four-time Grammy Award winner who is hailed as “possibly the most celebrated acoustic and electric bassist in the world.” He’s led a prolific and diverse career, alternating between performer, composer, conductor, arranger, recording artist, producer and film scorer, working with films like “Boyz ‘N the Hood,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It?,” “The Transporter,” “Romeo Must Die,” “Passenger 57,” “Poetic Justice” and “The Five Heartbeats.” He’s been exploring the world of jazz since 1971, when he graduated from the Philadelphia Academy of Music and immediately hit New York City to play with artists such as Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Pharaoh Saunders, Gil Evans and Stan Getz. Doors: 7 p.m./Show: 8 p.m. $20-$35.

Jon Lanston’s path to a musical career was certainly not direct or even intentional. After attending Gardner-Webb University on a football scholarship, he was plagued by a number of concussions. In an attempt to save whatever brain cells he had left, Langston hung up the pads for good, and with his newly available free time, he picked up the guitar and re-taught himself how to play the thing. Several YouTube uploads ensued, and yada, yada, yada, he landed a publishing deal with Sony ATV and is living the high life in Nashville, being hailed as the next new thing in country music. Don’t give up on your dreams, kids. Doors: 7 p.m./Show: 8 p.m. $15-$280.

Band spotlights by Field Note Stenographers Chris Nylund and Jared Wright/Special to The Telegraph

This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 7:32 AM with the headline "A guide to the best gigs in Middle Georgia."