Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/673072
10 "The set went great," said Reed the next day. "We've played Acme four or five times now. They like to have us there because we're pretty easy to deal with and we always get the crowd dancing." Formed in 2008 in Montgomery (aka "Goat Hill"), the group covers "Amie" by Pure Prairie League, then throws a curveball with "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. They intersperse country, rock and pop all night long, closing their three-hour set with a sing-along to the Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way." Reed began working for Alabama Power in 2006 as a contract employee, becoming full-time in 2012. He has written a handful of songs and plans to record an extended play CD at a friend's studio soon. "This is just for fun," he said. "I appreciate that I have a full-time job I do well at. But playing is something I've always wanted to do, and I'll do it until I can't do it anymore." Saturday, March 5 @ Golddiggers, Double Springs A three-hour drive later, we're in Double Springs at the Lakeshore Inn and Marina on Smith Lake. Christian Gann is on stage at Golddiggers bar with his third act of the weekend, Road Trip Jones. The band was started 16 years ago by Barry and Larry Key. Larry, the original drummer, is a retired Alabama Power employee (Miller Steam Plant, Smith Dam). Despite a heart attack last spring, he still sings a few songs with the group. "I love this bunch," he said. Their classic rock set ranges from "Mustang Sally" to "Don't Stop Believing." Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" brings all the slow-dancers onto the floor. Two of them are Kevin and Paula Smith. "I love 'em," said Kevin, a 40-year employee of Alabama Power who worked with Key at Miller. "They're the greatest," added Paula. "When I retired, my husband threw a retirement party at our house, and he had the band play at our party." Road Trip Jones closes the place down, playing well after last call. "If you've got four pieces, five pieces, six pieces, it's still all about teamwork," said Gann. "There's no one person better than the other. Everybody is important." Gann plays guitar. Photo by John Herr