It has all

the makings of a 1980s fighting-the-establishment movie.

A man attempts to promote a benefit concert in a suburban

county south of a major city and the county officials

block the event.

Shawn Owen

of Tyrone was hoping to hold The Southern Fried Music

Fest, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity, at the New

Senoia Raceway. The concert features several country,

blues and rock acts from the region, as well as Southern

food, and exhibits from local businesses and artists.

Owen has been putting the show together since February.

As the day

of the concert neared, county officials began to throw up

obstacles. Coweta County administrator Theron Gay said

that the festival does not conform with the county's

zoning. "The zoning for the racetrack allows special

recreational events but our opinion is this is a money

making event for the promoter."

Owen hopes

to raise $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity with the

concert. "The money that could be raised by this

event could build at least four houses," said Owen.

"It could also bring in thousands of dollars in tax

revenue into the county."

The Coweta

County officials obtained a restraining order in Fayette

Superior Court, because Owen is a resident of Tyrone.

"That type of event is not allowed at the

raceway," stated Coweta County attorney Mitch

Powell.

Owen then

had the rock/blues part of the concert moved to

Masquerade Music Park on North Avenue in Atlanta. The

country part of the show will be at George Jones Southern

Comfort Restaurant on Moreland Avenue.

The artists

featured at the rock part of the show will include The

Screaming Cheetah Wheelies, Bare Jr., and Soul Miner's

Daughter. The show will begin at noon. Tickets are $12 in

advance or $15 at the door.

It may not

be the Hollywood ending but the show will go on. People

will go, spend some money and have a good time. Habitat

for Humanity will get proceeds from the concert and Owen

will have accomplished his goal, just a little farther

from home.

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