How time flies.

It was one year ago last Friday that Backstage Pass was first published in The Meridian Star.

The cover story that day was “Meridian Underground shines light on local artists.”

It was an article I did about Wayne Williams and his place across the street, Meridian Underground Music Exchange, which was getting ready to celebrate its ninth anniversary.

You know what that means — It’s almost time for his 10th anniversary blowout.

That’s right, five bands will play free outside of the Music Exchange this Saturday.

Wayne has done a lot to promote young local artists and to give kids a chance to hear other bands passing through.

Wretched Flamingo is a young, local group that will perform Saturday.

“I’ve seen so many bands come and go over the years,” Williams said. “We’re still trying to promote local artists and musicians and bands have played here from as far away as Los Angeles and New York.”

Williams also sells locally produced CDs on consignment as well as new and used CDs.

“I started the store off with my personal CD collection. I had about 250 CDs then,” Williams said. “We just try to be a cool, locally owned store.”

In celebration of his 10th anniversary, local artist Jason Cooper has made posters for Saturday’s concert. Some signed and numbered copies of the posters will be for sale Saturday.

Cooper started doing concert posters in 2000. His work is heavily influenced by the skateboard artists of the 1980s and rock poster art legends Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse.

I walked across the street for my first Backstage Pass cover story a year ago not because it was easy, but because it was important to let people know someone is giving young local bands an outlet and kids a free ticket to enjoy music made by their peers.

As Wayne said a year ago: “We really put the shows on for two reasons, for the bands to have a place to play and to give the kids, who can’t get into the bars, something to do.”

Sometimes it’s good to stay in your own back yard.