Atlanta Rhythm Section may be a Southern rock band from the ’70s, but it isn’t trying to relive the glory days. Instead, the band is making new ones.

For anyone born and raised in the South, especially Georgia, Atlanta Rhythm Section comes with its own legend. Like Snow Jam ’82 did for the ’80s, the band made Atlanta history in the ’70s.

Baby boomers still recall the New Year’s Eve 1977 show at the Fox Theatre, where Atlanta Rhythm Station played a sold-out show to thousands of fans who were standing all the way up in the nosebleed section and spilling over balconies.

“Oh, man, the Fox? Those days were fun,” said Dean Daughtry, keyboardist of 38 years for Atlanta Rhythm Section.

While admittedly tamer now, Atlanta Rhythm Section has been infused with a new energy.

“The band is better than it’s ever been,” Daughtry said. “I’ve been here the whole time, always amongst top-quality musicians. It feels like it always has. The Atlanta Rhythm Section sound remains; they all play the parts very well. But everybody’s got better attitudes. These new members grew up with the group and then they joined us.”

With Andy Anderson on vocals, guitarist Steve Stone, drummer Jim Keeling, bassist Justin Senker, guitarist David Anderson and Daughtry on keyboards, the Southern rock vibe lives on.

Atlanta Rhythm Section has put out 15 albums over 38 years and found success with huge radio hits “Spooky,” “So into You,” “Champagne Jam” and “Imaginary Lover.” At this point in its career, ARS could throw in the towel. Instead, the Doraville natives are headed back to the studio.

“I’m really excited about it,” Daughtry said. “My favorite part is getting in the studio and recording. We keep on, it gets even more perfect and then, as our producer says, ‘do it again.’ We finally get that feel with everyone playing together and it’s a great feeling. Then that sound and feeling is projected to the people listening to it.”

Producer Rodney Mills is going into the studio with Atlanta Rhythm Section. Mills was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine for producing records for five out of the 10 greatest Southern rock bands of all time, including Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Doobie Brothers and .38 Special.

The album will consist of new original songs and recuts of old classics.

“We’re proud of the songs,” Daughtry said. “This is what I like to do. It’s always been Atlanta Rhythm Section for me.”

When Atlanta Rhythm Section comes to The Classic Center on Nov. 20, it won’t be alone. Eddie and the Public Speakers, a fresh spin on Southern rock, will open for the legendary band.

The trio consists of lead singer Edward Speaker, guitarist Stephen Taylor and drummer Nic Wiles. All three are students at the University and have been a band for almost two years.

“It’s a great opportunity either way, but with Atlanta Rhythm Section on top of that, who we’ve grown up listening to . it’s just great to play at The Classic Center before some legends,” Stephen Taylor, guitarist for Eddie and the Public Speakers, said.

Its members met through their shared fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, which coincidentally pointed them towards entering the Classic Center contest to open for Atlanta Rhythm Section. One of their fellow fraternity brothers in the Music Business Program found the contest on Twitter, and Eddie and the Public Speakers submitted its sample.

Last Tuesday, Eddie and the Public Speakers won the opening slot: a chance to play a 30-minute set before Atlanta Rhythm Section performs at The Classic Center.

How are they handling the pressure as a college band playing for such a large venue?

“We’re more than up to the challenge,” Edward Speaker, lead singer, said. “In my mind, we’re the first [college band] to play The Classic Center. I almost didn’t believe our manager when he told us. After all of the idols who have played there and come before us.”

Eddie and the Public Speakers considers itself a new genre, dubbed “rockin’, funky blues.” The band members have the same taste in music although they come from different backgrounds, but they all love classic and Southern rock.

“I think we were chosen because our sound complements the Atlanta Rhythm Section so well,” Speaker said. “We’re Southern rock, but we keep it loose, fun and comfortable. They liked that we were an up-and-coming band with modest beginnings that recorded in a small studio, like ARS.”

After practicing all summer, Eddie and the Public Speakers recorded their first album over the span of three days. The album is due in January 2010.

While many young bands have gone the way of electronica or auto-tune, Eddie and the Public Speakers prefers to stay grounded in Southern roots.

“The music scene is trying to go organic, to a more human sound,” Taylor said. “We do have Southern roots and that young energy and we want to play loud rocking music but keep it fresh.”

Is the band ready to jam out should Atlanta Rhythm Section extend the invitation to such a similarly minded group?

“We would love to. But mostly, we’re just grateful for the opportunity,” Speaker said.