“After it’s Gone”, a new single just released by Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13 (including R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and Widespread Panic’s John Bell and Todd Nance), was inspired by the threat of a Walmart in the heart of the downtown Athens, Georgia.

Hood, singer, writer and guitarist for the band Drive-By Truckers, assembled The Downtown 13, a musical collective to protest a developer's proposed building of a massive mixed use development in downtown Athens, anchored by a 94,000 sq. foot Walmart.

“This Atlanta developer wants to clog our cultural heart and build a bunker the size of three city blocks next to the vibrant downtown scene,” says Hood in a press release. “They hit The Easy Button: a big box store in our downtown district is clearly misguided and a somewhat ridiculous notion. Downtown Athens is a dynamic network of local businesses--Athens already has a meaningful brand and we are extremely protective of it.”

You can download the song, view the video and read more about Protect Downtown Athens at the link below:

www.protectdowntownathens.com

Patterson Hood - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Mike Mills - Harmonies and Piano
John Bell - Lead Vocals
John Neff - Pedal Steel
David Barbe – Bass
Jay Gonzalez - Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Brad Morgan - Drums
Todd Nance - Percussion
Claire Campbell - Banjo and Harmonies
Lera Lynn - Harmonies
Brannen Miles, Carter King and Payton Bradford - Backing Vocals
Henry Barbe - Electric Guitar

Basic track recorded live on stage at Fabulous 40 Watt Club in Athens.