 The 11th Hour is an arts and entertainment alternative newsweekly found in Macon, Statesboro and Valdosta, Georgia. What began as an idea for a bar and nightclub newsletter in Statesboro, 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 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 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 “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. Past columnists have included the Dr. Thomas Upchurch and Food Dude.
 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, methamphetamine 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 reports on local politics and has featured 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 have included Billy Bob Thornton, George Jones, Mr. Food, R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Gregg Allman, Angie Aparo, Eddie Kirkland, the Drive-by Truckers, Widespread Panic and one of the last interviews given by Johnny Jenkins.
We Are Also On Television
In 2006, in partnership with Cox Communications, The 11th Hour launched a television show on WCOX 15 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. Starting in December 2006, new episodes of the show aired monthly.
Ownership
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. In 2005, the couple was the recipient of the Macon Arts Cultural Award.
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Alex Bender: Nightlife
