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By Melissa Link
mlink@onlineathens.com

The Possibilities are part of the rockin' lineup for a night of political tunes. Special

   ''There are a lot of benefits and all these causes are worthwhile. It helps when you come up with an original idea like this,'' says longtime local musician Jack Logan of the political theme of tonight's ''funraiser'' supporting the reelection campaign for state Sen. Doug Haines.
   Organizers Kathy Kirbo, of local band Jackpot City, and Tony Eubanks, former club owner and Community Connection board member, have approached a long list of musicians, asking them to come up with short sets of politically-oriented songs in order to bring a coherent theme to the evening.
   ''In the last year, Community Connection has had a hard time,'' says Eubanks of the financial difficulties the local charitable clearinghouse has seen recently. ''Doug Haines stepped up twice as our state senator and was able to get emergency funding for Community Connection,'' he continues citing his reasons for supporting Haines by throwing this benefit.
   In addition to a night full of rowdy rock 'n' roll, several speakers will be on hand to dish out a healthy dose of political awareness. In addition to Haines, Athens-Clarke Mayor-elect Heidi Davison will speak. Also scheduled to appear is Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and president of the Young Democrats. The younger Carter's book ''Power Lines,'' about his humanitarian ventures in South Africa, was recently published by National Geographic.
   

Turn On, Tune In, Rock Out: A 'Funraiser' for Doug Haines featuring Jackpot City, The Possibilities with Jack Logan, David Barbe, The Run-Offs, Lombard/Walls, and Mike Mills and William Tonks When: Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 Where: 40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St. Cost: $7 suggested donation Call: (706) 549-7871

''The whole point of this thing is sort of like a Motown revue,'' suggests Logan. ''You don't have bands playing whole sets, it's making it more fun for the bands this way.
   A rock 'n' roll benefit seems to happen on average every week here in Athens, evidence of the intimate relationship between the local music scene and a variety of political, charitable and social causes.
   ''It's hard for us to turn down shows, we're suckers for free beer and a night out on the town,'' says Bob Spires of The Possibilities. Playing their third benefit show in as many weeks, The Possibilities take the stage with Logan and a bevy of other musicians for what Spires promises to be an ''all-star jam.''
   Although Logan and The Possibilities were still working out a set list, they plan to play tunes such as Elvis Costello's ''Peace, Love and Understanding'' and Gang of Four's ''Great Man.''
   ''I'm sure some (Bob) Dylan will be played,'' adds Logan.
   Musicians Paul Trudeau (formerly of National Anthem and Harvey Milk), Nick Bielli (Hayride, Japancakes), Larry Tenner and Jason Slatton (both of the Lures), and Ted Hafer (owner of The Grit) have formed the band The Run-Offs especially for this occasion.
   Trudeau suggests the Run-Offs will be playing songs that are more like cheers than political covers and they plan to change the words of a few other tunes to make them politically relevant.
   Other performers include David Barbe, Jackpot City, Paul Lombard and David Walls (with Pat Patterson and others) and R.E.M.'s Mike Mills playing with William Tonks, Crumpy Edwards and Curtis Crowe.
   

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, October 3, 2002.