Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter Executive Director Michele Caplinger’s 11 Good Things

Caplinger left her New York City musical theatrer roots in the early ’80s to make Atlanta her home, where she began a music career recording and performing in original alternative rock bands Lipstick Stains and Marching Two Step through the ’90s. Caplinger cut her music industry teeth booking talent and providing publicity for downtown cutting-edge nightclubs, Club Rio and Velvet. With Brusco Barr Presents, Caplinger was responsible for advertising/media promotions and coordinated national press opportunities for touring artists, including Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, New Kids on the Block and more. Caplinger’s own boutique company, Ray Gun Productions, provided publicity for national touring acts, including Collective Soul (led by her former bandmate Ed Roland).

Since 2000, Caplinger has been running the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter, growing its membership with a diverse and enviable list of music creators, recording professionals and music industry VIPS. Caplinger can tout producing an extensive list of impressive and celebrated Grammy professional development, industry networking and red-carpet events. 

Caplinger and her husband, Blair, have one daughter, Sarah, a pediatric nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and two fur babies, Rosie Olive and Wolf, who keep them busy and full of joy. As a family, they enjoy travel, great restaurants, entertaining in their home and all things arts, including live music, film, theater, dance and art galleries.

Caplinger admits to still having grease paint in her veins and has been known to burst into song and dance at the drop of a hat.

1. I adore the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna. This breathtaking paved trail runs over 60 miles west to the Alabama state line. It’s one of the longest continuous paved rail-trails in the U.S., built on the bed of an old railroad line and named after the luxury Silver Comet passenger train. Plans are already underway to connect a series of trails, including the Atlanta Beltline, to it in the future. Whether you’re biking, walking or out with the dogs, it’s simply transporting.

2. Atlanta’s vibrant music scene! I’ve had the great pleasure of working in the music industry my entire adult life. My experience runs the gamut of music career tracks, booking talent, tour publicity, artist management, concert promotion, media buyer, public relations, etc. In these past 35+ years in this industry in Atlanta, I have been gifted with the luxury of being immersed in our original recording and live music scene. Our creative community is lush in diversity, and our talent bed is magnificent. Atlanta has a vibe unlike any other and is truly a community.

3. I would imagine that everyone would list The Fox Theatre as the brightest gem in Atlanta’s crown of jewels. This historic venue was born in the early 20s, and its stunning, ornate Egyptian design remains a visual marvel and a cultural icon today. I could not begin to count the massive number of amazing productions I’ve seen at the Fox since the ’80s (when I moved here from NYC) that made for lifetime memories ranging from live music concerts, Broadway shows and private events. This venue is pure magic.

4. The Eastern, one of the newer concert halls in Atlanta, is a state-of-the art music venue in the Dairies complex in the Reynoldstown neighborhood of Atlanta, right off the Atlanta Beltline (another fave). The multi-tiered venue offers premier visibility from any seat and a wicked cool rooftop bar. I love seeing shows there and applaud the talent bookers for the range of musical artists they bring in. Oh, and Girl Diver is a good hip little restaurant to go to pre-show on that side of town.

5. The Atlanta Ballet is a tour de force! I have enjoyed Gennadi Nedvigin’s (the company’s artistic director ) vision and repertoire, offering not just the classics and neoclassical but contemporary and innovative works throughout the season. The talent of this ballet company is spectacular, and I’m always in awe of their execution. And the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, where the Atlanta Ballet performs, is a beautiful venue with not one bad seat in the house.

6. Original 99X Radio (revisited!) Nothing made me happier than the return of the Original 99X to the airwaves. Of course, it’s like being with your old pals again (Leslie Fram, Barnes, …), but I never, I mean never, stopped loving the music of this era. It’s timeless and holds up. As I reflect, it’s also the soundtrack to the happiest times in my life, so there’s that, too!

7. dance 101 Atlanta is a studio that offers a range of exciting classes that cater to adults (only) who love to dance, whether you have serious dance training or not. Classes are fun and great workouts but also a safe place if all you are bringing to the class is your passion to dance.

8. Swan Space @ The Works … so I’m a shopper, and you’re sure to find unique items at this lovely spot located in the Upper Westside of Atlanta. Unique articles of clothing, hard-to-find fragrances, jewelry made by bespoke artisans … it’s a find.

9. Atlanta’s proximity to …. How can you not love being so close to Athens or Macon for your music addiction — or how about the beautiful staycations in the Georgia mountains or Lake Burton? And my ultimate fave, the charming and haunted Savannah. Visiting Savannah is like being in an old European walking city with crape myrtles and Spanish moss tree-lined streets, a river, great new restaurants (fit for foodies) and endless artful experiences.

10. Sundial Restaurant Bar at the top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, downtown Atlanta. The food is wonderful, but the 360-degree view of Atlanta takes center stage and is stunning. Locals might regard this spot as a tourist attraction, but don’t miss it; the exciting elevator ride to the top in and of itself is an experience. Two fun facts about the Sundial: For those who might remember the movie Sharky’s Machine (1981) with Burt Reynolds, the pivotal closing scene takes place here as someone jumps out of the top of the hotel, plunging to their death (won’t say who in case you want to watch). More importantly, this is where my first unofficial date with my (now) husband was and where we fell in love.

11. The people! I’ve already mentioned my affinity for wondrous humans who make up our music community, but, across the board, I’ve met the best people in Atlanta and have made the best of friends here. My Atlanta friends are the most colorful, cultured, fun and enviable group of artful people who I call family. Atlanta has been very good to me!