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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 22, 2003
Contact: Steve McRay, Tin Roof Cantina, 404-876-8882 Jesse Pompei, Schroder Public Relations, 404-872-7289

Midtown's Tin Roof Cantina Sings a New Tune
Former Buckhead hotspot has new owner: lead singer in Java Monkey
"A dream come true!"

ATLANTA - Steve McRay, the lead singer and keyboard player for Java Monkey, has a new gig: owner of Midtown's Tin Roof Cantina. Earlier this month, McRay bought the Southwestern cuisine establishment from Jonathan Sheer, who had opened the cantina in Buckhead in 1996 and moved it to is current location at 554 Piedmont Avenue in February 2003.

"This is a dream come true for me," said McRay, whose band backs-up and records with local blues queen Francine Reed. The musician has also played with .38 Special, Ted Nugent, Joan Baez and Johnny Van Zant. "Back in the '80s and '90s, I played in spots that had the same vibe as Tin Roof Cantina does. I've been looking for a music-themed place filled with the right ambiance. Java Monkey will definitely play here."

Tin Roof Cantina will offer music every evening, including Tin Roof classics like Michael Magno, Justin, Unzipt, as well as Steve and Michael (who play as Dos Monkeys). To celebrate his new gig, McRay will hold a grand re-opening celebration Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2.

Tin Roof's Southwestern cuisine, inspired by Sheer's professional chef training, offers "South of the Border" quesadillas, burritos and tacos, and "North of the Border" sandwiches, salads, wings and burgers. The restaurant, with its menu is being slightly revamped, is currently open for dinner only, with plans to open for lunch soon. The new midtown location of Tin Roof has an updated loft-like atmosphere with more customer space, a better stage and sound and a billiards room. An oversized patio overlooks Piedmont Avenue, and with weather permitting, the bands may wander on to the patio to entertain the crowd.

The extra-long bar offers plenty of seating, local beers, specialty tequilas, and frozen margaritas, alongside top-shelf scotches and liqueurs.
McRay has wanted to transfer his long-time love of music and entertaining into a new adventure, with a goal "to open a night spot, which would be the destination of choice for those seeking a casual, trendy, urban drinking spot with the best top-quality live entertainment."

With Midtown neighborhoods experiencing tremendous growth and developers adding new lofts, apartments, and condos every week, Tin Roof hopes to be the "Casual Destination of Choice" for those seeking the unpretentious drinking spot with great food and nightly entertainment.

Tin Roof Cantina is open Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-3 a.m., and Sunday 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

For more information, contact Steve McRay, Tin Roof Cantina, 404-876-8882. www.tinroofcantina.com · www.java-monkey.com/steve_artist_page.htm

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