On the night of September 12, 2006 eight Athens, GA bands - Liz Durrett, Claire Campbell (Hope For Agoldensummer), Tin Cup Prophette, Modern Skirts, Bain Mattox, The Observatory (featuring 14 members of the Elephant Six collective), Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), and Five Eight - were slated to play the 40 Watt Club for an event that would make a lasting impression on a town known for its musical highlights. The bands were scheduled to cover their favorite R.E.M. songs as part of Finest Worksongs: Athens Bands Play the Music of R.E.M. The event continued a tradition started in 1992 of holding listening parties in Athens for R.E.M.'s new releases to benefit local organizations, this time for the "best of" collection And I Feel Fine from the band's early years that was released that day.

But this event, Finest Worksongs, marked the first time that such a live tribute from Athens bands to the community's legendary musical sons had been organized. With the release of a "best of" collection imminent and the band's induction to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame coming only days later, the time to put together such an event seemed perfect. Fans agreed, making the event an advance sellout. While Liz Durrett fell ill and had to pull out last minute, eight bands still ended up performing...although the last minute addition didn't have to worry about learning the songs. The original four members of R.E.M., in town rehearsing for their induction, ventured out to the show and played a surprise two-song set early in the night. But the night's excitement didn't stop there. The 40 Watt remained packed throughout the evening with fans and band members hearing over 20 versions of classic and lesser-known R.E.M. songs exhuberently performed by the other artists.

The Finest Worksongs release captures the energy, camaraderie, and collaboration of a truly one-of-a-kind event. It includes 18 songs performed that night by Claire Campbell, Tin Cup Prophette, Modern Skirts, Bain Mattox, The Observatory, Patterson Hood, and Five Eight, recorded live and mixed by Ben Holst at Chase Park Transduction. It also includes a special bonus track by Liz Durrett recorded at a later live show at the EARL in Atlanta by Sloan Simpson. An additional version of "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville" by Patterson Hood from the event is also available for download only through online digital services. The entire release was mastered by Jeff Capurso at Chase Park Transduction. Four of the songs performed that night - the two R.E.M. songs and one each by Tin Cup Prophette and The Observatory - appeared as exclusive recordings on the 2006 R.E.M. fan club Christmas package CD.

Net proceeds from the Finest Worksongs release will benefit Community Connection of Northeast Georgia and Family Connection / Communities in Schools, the two organizations who were beneficiaries of the nearly $13,000 raised on September 12, 2006. Finest Worksongs is being released by Iron Horse Records, an Athens, GA-based record label under the auspices of athensmusic.net that specializes in music from its hometown.

After the lights came up at the 40 Watt Club in the wee hours of the next day, there was already a buzz spreading through music circles all across the country. Now, with the release of Finest Worksongs: Athens Bands Play the Music of R.E.M, those not fortunate enough to be in attendance can experience an event unlike any other in Athens' storied musical history. And those who were fortunate enough to be part of it can relive it.