The Sound & Soul of the South, Ep#5: The Sound of Augusta, GA - Soul, Indie Rock & a Downtown Revival

In this episode, Coco Rubio shares his journey from a music-loving kid in Augusta to a key figure in revitalizing downtown Augusta's music scene. He discusses the history of Augusta's music culture, the impact of James Brown, and the ongoing growth of local arts and entertainment. Special Guest Coco Rubio Key Topics Coco Rubio's background and connection to Augusta The role of music in community building The history and influence of James Brown in Augusta The development of downtown Augusta's music venues Support for local and original music scenes Impact of urban revitalization on arts and culture The importance of cultural identity in music Future plans for Augusta's music and arts scene Chapters 00:00 Meet Coco Rubio, the “Mayor of Downtown Augusta” 02:11 How Coco Fell in Love with Music 04:35 The Birth of Soul Bar 08:42 James Brown & the Sound of Augusta 14:40 Music Helps Revive Downtown Augusta 21:08 Augusta Embraces the Godfather of Soul 23:46 The Night James Brown Walked Into Soul Bar 28:48 What Makes Southern Music Different? 31:39 Sharon Jones Comes Home 34:22 Where to Hear Live Music in Augusta 37:45 Augusta’s Next Generation of Musicians 39:14 Keeping Augusta’s Music Scene Alive Resources Soul Bar - https://www.visitaugusta.com/plan/experience-passes/soul-starts-here/soul-bar/ Augusta Museum - https://www.augustamuseum.org James Brown Family Foundation - https://www.jamesbrownlegacy.com This episode is brought to you in partnership with Experience Augusta - The Feel Good City.  Order your free Augusta Experience Guide today & start planning your visit! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★