City attorney Mac McCarley said he got feedback from a lot of people concerned with the proposal.

"We are convinced that they're right. I would tell you that our office and (assistant city manager Eric Campbell) no longer support that as an appropriate way to do this," he said.

Bar and restaurant owners say if the city makes them scale back live music, it will cost jobs. "A bad rule would kill everybody," said Whiskey Warehouse owner Tom Wicker

Musicians worry about Charlotte's image. "Charlotte is on the brink of actually being labeled as a vibrant town. I hope you let that happen," said Chris Sekerak,

But some who live near bars and restaurants say it gets too loud. A former POW made one of the most emotional pleas yet.

"I fought for the right to have peace and quiet," said Frank Caldwell.

And Linda Watson, who lives near the Music Factory, said it got so loud once, she called police. "I stood on my porch with my cellphone, talking to the operator, and she asked me if I can turn my music down and I said, 'Ma'am, that's not my music,'" she said.