Jeff Styles, local talk radio host, was discussing the music scenarios this week for Chattanooga events like the Southern Brewers Festival. At issue was one of two possibilities. Scenario one was to have a less known and less expensive band and hope for the best crowd. Scenario two was to have a better-known, more expensive band and attempt to draw an even better crowd. Would the increased cost for a better drawing band be justified in the results of more paying customers? It’s a tough question. I’ll give you my take.

First and foremost I think you have to figure in the “rain test”. And what exactly is the “rain test”? It means this – would there be a crowd with the selected band if it rained? Not lightning and torrential downpours; just rain and drizzle. The crowd at a big-time band performance will weather the storm. (No pun intended) They will stay and watch ZZ Top. Or maybe even Trombone Shorty. Or Here Come The Mummies. Or Kid Rock. I stood in the pouring rain for an hour and a half to see Delbert McClinton play.

Nightfall, Riverbend, Riverfront Nights, The Southern Brewers Festival and other events have been lucky the past couple years. We haven’t had much rain. I believe last weekend’s brewers festival would have been a bust had it rained around 5 p.m. Maybe not, but I think it would have been a much smaller crowd. If I were promoting an event, I would definitely give consideration to the rain test.

I also think you have to look at the total expenditure paid to the bands playing at an event. These events have huge expenses. Insurance, advertising, printing, tokens, stage rental, sound rental, sound stage staffing, etc. In the scheme of things, the payment to the band is just a small part of the overall expenses. While paying a couple thousand more for the music may represent a big percentage increase in costs for the bands, it is still a small percentage of the overall costs.

What do you think? Does the quality of band determine your willingness to come out to an event? If a top quality band is playing, will you come out? Maybe even pay an admission fee to see the musicians? Or, would you come anyway, regardless of who is playing? Do you believe an event will draw a bigger crowd by featuring a well-known, good drawing band? Let me know at Davrik@aol.com. In the subject line, just put “band question”.

Live! In Chattanooga

Thursday, August 28

T-Bones – Pee Wee Moore

The Palms at Hamilton – Nathan Farrow

Midtown Music Hall – Channing Wilson

Rhythm & Brews – Here Come The Mummies

WAWL FM 91.5 – Chattanooga Live with host Bob Payne (www.wawl.org)

Friday, August 29

Rhythm & Noon at Miller Plaza – River City Redhots (Dixieland)

Nightfall – Hal Ketchum, Angel Snow

Deadwood Station – Randy Howard, Austin Earl

HMF Tattoo – Cutthroat Shamrock

Rhythm & Brews – Up With the Joneses, The Owls, Last Straws

Spectaters Grill – Crossfire Band

Blue Orleans Creole Rest on Amnicola – Blues FX

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Blue Orleans Downtown – David Anthony Blues

T-Bones – Nathan Farrow

Buds – Chad Yates

Midtown Music Hall – Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads Tribute)

Blues Train Café Dalton – Groove Shakers

Saturday, August 30

Coolidge Park – Swingfest with Uptown Swing Band, Swingtime Orchestra, Sweet Georgia Sound, dance lessons. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews – The Floating Men

Midtown Music Hall – Afroman with The Movement

Deadwood Station – No Big Deal, Austin Earl

Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse – Mark Stuart

Blues Train Café Dalton – HooDoo Swaggard

Sunday, August 31

Chattanooga Market – McClain, Angel Snow, Amelia White

Top Of The Dock – Bald Eddie

Deadwood Station – Skydog & The Shadow Riders, Bobby Mountain

Midtown Music Hall – ToneHarm

Hales Bar Marina – Mudville Mafia

Monday, September 1

Deadwood Station – Blues Frog, Skydog & The Shadow Riders, Austin Earl, and Gravel Rock with the Honk-A-Billies

Tuesday, September 2

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Blue Orleans Downtown – Roddy Noll Jazz Trio

Wednesday, September 3

Rhythm & Brews – Dave Matthews Acoustic Tribute Band

Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Info on the upcoming Chattahippie Music Festival can be found at click here.

Tickets to The John Hiatt Concert at the Tivoli are on sale at click here.

To have your venue’s live event listed, just email us at davrik@aol.com