Matt Neufeld

Georgia's on our minds this week, with an invasion of musicians from the Peach State.

Kristen Hall, originally from Michigan but now an established acoustic performer in Atlanta, was playing the city and enjoying regional success with her self-produced debut album Real Life Stuff in 1990.

Then she caught the attention of Atlanta's Indigo Girl Amy Ray. Miss Hall, 28, signed on as the second act on Miss Ray's indie label Daemon Records , designed for regional talent. (Ellen James Society was the first signed.)

Now Miss Hall's second release, Fact and Fiction, is getting the attention of the majors, and observers predict one will soon sign her up. Miss Hall's stellar reputation enabled her to get some top acts to help out on Fact: Psychedelic Furs guitarist John Ashton, the B-52's Cindy Wilson (an Athens native), other Indigo Girl Emily Saliers and Sara Lee of Gang of Four.

"I'm happy with the balance of the record, enough band to show where I'm going with my songs, and enough acoustic to show where I've been," said Miss Hall.

If you see her when she opens for Indigo Girls and Matthew Sweet tonight and tomorrow night at Wolf Trap's Filene Center, expect the traditional, acoustic-touched folk-pop shown by Indigo Girls. Atlanta's Indigos are enjoying rave reviews for their fifth release, Rites of Passage, featuring the instant hit "Three Hits."