Interview with Rumours ATL by James Fink
Mekenzie Zimmerman was all of 5 years old when she had a musical – and now career – epiphany.
Zimmerman was riding in her mother’s car when Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman” came on the radio. Zimmerman was hooked.
“Something about the music, that song, just drew me in,” Zimmerman said.
Fast forward 32 years and Zimmerman is in her 10th year of leading Rumours ATL – an Atlanta-based Fleetwood Mac cover band that will perform Aug. 2 as part of Batavia Downs summer concert series.
Zimmerman, 37, is Rumours ATL’s lead singer – taking on the role that Stevie Nicks has had with Fleetwood Mac since 1975.
“You know there are a lot of parallels between Stevie and myself,” Zimmerman said.
Among them: Both joined their respective bands when they were 27 years old.
Since first hearing “Gold Dust Woman,” Fleetwood Mac became Zimmerman’s music sweet spot.
“There is something about them that is different from other classic rock bands,” Zimmerman said. “Maybe it’s because they have two female lead singers (Nicks and the late Christine McVie).”
Rumours ATL – named after Fleetwood Mac’s best known album and a nod to Atlanta, Zimmerman’s hometown – was formed in 2014 and quickly gained a national reputation playing in such venues as Disney World’s Epcot Center, the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach and Daryl’s House Club, not to mention a long stint in the Netherlands.
The six-member band (Zimmerman; co-founder Adrienne Cottrell on keyboards; guitar players Denny Hanson and John Spiegel, drummer Daniel Morrison and bass player Sean Michaelson) focuses on songs from what Zimmerman calls Fleetwood Mac’s golden era of 1975-1987.
The setlist includes the obvious hits like “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams” and “Gypsy.”
“What makes Fleetwood Mac so special is that they appeal to so many age groups,” Zimmerman said, “We try to capture that. We enjoy playing for the audience because we can look out and see the audience is enjoying the show. It works for us and the audience.”
Tickets for the show are available at www.bataviadownsgaming.com
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