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Date: Jan 19, 2001 Miriam Longino - Staff Sunday, January 14, 2001 Admit it: If Elton John stood in line behind you at Publix, you'd get a little excited. You'd look out of the corner of your eye if Jane Fonda were seated at a table next to yours in a restaurant, or go home and call a friend if you bumped into wrestling king Bill Goldberg at the cleaners. As metro Atlanta has grown into an entertainment, sports and business center, star gazing has become a popular (albeit discreet) pastime. Our celebs may not be as conspicuous as their Beverly Hills or Upper East Side counterparts. In fact, many may not want to be recognized at all (which is why many of the rich and famous choose Atlanta over more expected addresses such as New York or Los Angeles). But next time you're out cruising, put your radar up. That might be Chilli Thomas of TLC pulling up next to you at the QuikTrip in Stone Mountain. Or country singer Travis Tritt picking up Huggies at the Paulding County Wal-Mart. Of course, addresses change daily, so a few of our sightings may be fleeting. And there are great disagreements over what actually makes someone a "celebrity," so certainly this list will generate discussion --- and dissent. But hey, it's a sampler, not a definitive guide. On metro street corners, no one has yet pulled out a folding chair and started selling maps to the stars' homes. But if they did, it might look something like this. --- Miriam Longino ALPHARETTA / NORTH FULTON The forests and rural farms that once seemed far from the city have been developed into exclusive, gated communities of sprawling mansions overlooking golf courses and small lakes. Between 1990 and 2000, the population increased by 10,400. It's a family-friendly place --- some 21 percent of the population is younger than 13 --- but the most important accessory at many of these homes is a security guard stationed out front to make sure you don't get in. Usher Raymond Sexy R&B singer/actor whose sophomore album, 1997's "My Way," sold more than 5 million copies. Also appeared in the 1999 movie "Light It Up." Keith Sweat One of the voices of '80s hybrid new jack swing ("I Want Her"). Pebbles Now a minister, this former R&B singer created TLC and had a hit of her own in the '80s, "Mercedes Boy." Morris Day Former Prince protege, this singer appeared in the film "Purple Rain" and headed his own group, the Time, in the '80s. Joe South Singer/songwriter who penned the hits "Games People Play" (1969), "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" (1970) and "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" (1971). Gary Rossington Founding guitarist of legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Jeff Foxworthy The Hapeville native and comic lives behind the gates of the posh Country Club of the South, right next door to his brother, Jay. "I take six little girls to school every day --- mine, my brother's and a neighbor's. And I have this wonderful normal life. I'm on the school board, I go to the grocery store, I go to Home Depot. . . ." Candi Staton In the mid '60s she gave us blues-based soul ("I'd Rather Be an Old Man's Sweetheart --- Than a Young One's Fool"); in the '70s, a disco favorite ("Young Hearts Run Free"); and now she records gospel and hosts a television show. Tom Glavine The Braves pitcher has lived at Country Club of the South for several years. He loves golf, and usually plays it right at home. Has been spotted with his family at some of the Northside's better restaurants, such as Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell. Greg Maddux Also a resident of Country Club of the South, but only during baseball season. During the winter, the Braves pitcher lives in Las Vegas, which he and his wife, Kathy, consider home. Chipper Jones After living at Country Club of the South for a few years, the Braves' star slugger recently moved to north Alpharetta after a brief stint in a Buckhead apartment. Although he is sometimes spotted at concerts (recent Dixie Chicks show at Philips Arena), he spends much of his off time hunting in South Georgia or visiting his folks in North Florida. Damon Stoudamire Point guard for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Gail Devers A childhood friend from Georgia persuaded the former Olympic track star to move to Atlanta after the 1996 Summer Games. "In my field, I can basically live anywhere," she says. "I need someplace to put my stuff, somewhere to let my clothes live while I travel. I needed a garage." So she bought an Alpharetta townhouse sight unseen. Devers rarely goes downtown, and uses a car navigational system to get around the metro area. Brian Littrell This Backstreet Boy and his wife, Leighanne, recently put a state-of-the-art security system in their house after overeager fans kidnapped their pet Chihuahuas. The pop singer moved to Atlanta after marrying a Marietta native. Brett Butler Not the comedian, but the former Braves outfielder (1981-83) who does some on-air baseball commentary. Upcoming Entertainment Events
Pop: Backstreet Boys Date: 1/27 Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: Georgia Dome Area: Downtown Cost: $49.50 - $58.50 Contact: 404-223-8427 Backstreet Boys tour in support of their new album "Black & Blue." With "Black & Blue," the Boys offer up the ballads that made them the "original" boy band of the millennium.
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