The 11th Hour (newspaper)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The 11th Hour | |
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| Type | Bi-Weekly newspaper |
| Format | Tabloid |
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| Owner | Brad and Megan Evans |
| Publisher | Brad Evans |
| Editor | Chris Horne |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | 484 Cherry St Macon, GA 31201-3444 United States |
| Circulation | 10,000 |
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| Website: [1] | |
The 11th Hour is an arts & entertainment alternative newsweekly found in Macon, Statesboro and Valdosta, Georgia. What began as an idea for a bar and nightclub newsletter in Statesboro, Georgia, in 2001, soon evolved into a full-scale A&E publication fulfilling a leisure media void in the conventional college town. In 2003, the 11th Hour arrived in Macon, Georgia, and opened a main office. Macon’s version of the 11th Hour was also widely received, and distribution quickly grew to the surrounding Middle Georgia cities of Milledgeville and Warner Robins. Valdosta’s version of the 11th Hour arrived in 2004 and not only garnered a college fanbase from Valdosta State University, but is also loyally read by supporters of the South Georgia art community.
11th Hour columnists have included Debra McCorkle, a.k.a. “Mama Karma,” whose column has been picked up by NPR and the San Francisco Chronicle. Macon columnist Chris Horne’s “May the Power of Chris Compel You,” which chronicles Middle Georgia nightlife, has made him a local celebrity. Resident love columnist “Mr. Macon Out” remains a mystery to many, but continues to receive letters every week asking for relationship advice that isn’t what they always want to hear, but can’t seem to get enough of. Infamous past columnists have included the ultra-conservative Dr. Thomas Upchurch and forked-tongued Food Dude. Both columnists generated more hate mail than any other contributors and have since moved on to better things in their own worlds.
In addition to being an advocate for the arts and insider to entertainment, the 11th Hour has also tackled in-depth feature stories on prostitution, meth abuse, unsolved murders and sex offenders. A story on the killing of Albert Gene McCarthy, son of the legendary “Goat Man,” led to an exhibit of Goat Man relics and spurred interest into his son’s overlooked murder. The 11th Hour also remains a watchdog of local politics and has featured in-depth interviews with local community and political leaders, including Macon’s current Mayor C. Jack Ellis.
Other one-on-one interviews featured in the 11th Hour range from national to critically acclaimed celebrities, including Billy Bob Thornton, George Jones, Mr. Food, REM’s Mike Mills, Gregg Allman, Angie Aparo, Eddie Kirkland, the Drive-by Truckers, Widespread Panic and one of the last interviews given by the late Johnny Jenkins.
In 2006, in partnership with Cox Communications, the 11th Hour launched a television show on WCOX15 that is based on stories featured in the publication. The show airs three times a day, seven days a week, at 10 a.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Like the publication, the show’s popularity has garnered a loyal fanbase, eager to see just what will happen next. Starting in December 2006, new episodes of the show will start airing monthly.
A mom-and-pop business to the truest sense, the 11th Hour is owned by publisher Brad Evans and his wife, art director Meagan Brown Evans. Brad met Meagan while she was a student at the Savannah College of Art, and it was not long after her graduation that they began their 11th Hour venture together. While they are no strangers to the hostility of corporate media, the Evans are committed to keeping the 11th Hour true to its indie roots, “Read if for fun!” slogan and support of local businesses like themselves. In 2005, the couple was the recipient of the Macon Arts Cultural Award. They also sit on the board of directors for the annual Bragg Jam Festival.
