Jeff Styles
George Parker
Missy Crutchfield

Gentlemen, and lady, I am writing this open letter to you because of your involvement in the local arts and music scene. I would like some assistance in understanding and possibly altering our misguided statute regarding the attendance of under 21 years of age music lovers in our city, and there are many, in concerts where alcohol is served.

We have in the past few years acquired some excellent venues – Midtown Music Hall, Rhythm and Brews, and many others – and some excellent touring acts are being booked. However, the largest fan base for many of these bands is unable to attend.

I am the father of two teenage male music lovers and I would gladly attend these shows with them to guard them from any debauchery, but the statute does not allow. I would be willing to sign waivers as well. I do not want my sons drinking, I am not advocating lower the drinking age, I simply want them to be able to enjoy some of the wonderful (ok, and some not so wonderful) music that is available in Chattanooga.

In the past year we have traveled, as a family, to Knoxville, Atlanta, and Nashville to attend shows that have been booked in Chattanooga, but we were not able to attend, e.g. Tea Leaf Green, a favorite jam band of the younger fans. I have further allowed my oldest son, 17, to drive to Atlanta on his own with friends, and he will be attending a Umphrys McGee show later this month in Nashville.

As a concerned father, who loves his kids, I feel infinitely more at ease with them sitting in a venue in downtown Chattanooga (even with the smell of beer in the air) than driving two hours and back to Nashville.

Some of my absolute best memories include Yesterday’s, Hazelwood, and the White Animals. I met my wonderful wife of 23 years at one of these shows.

Chattanooga is a beautiful city, I have lived here all my life, and I love the direction it is taking. We advertise ourselves as a city of music and culture, shouldn’t our children be allowed to participate?

David Dean
Chattanooga
Daviddean1018@comcast.net

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Mr. Dean

It is the state smoking ordinance that dictates the age in almost all instances. If there is smoking allowed, then folks under 21 are not.

Midtown just went to non-smoking, so now they allow 18-21 year olds to attend. It is not alcohol related.

Bob Payne
davrik@aol.com

* * *

David,

I read with interest your opinion piece on the local ordinance that
requires music shows in Chattanooga to be 21+. As the manager of Tea
Leaf Green, I have been constantly frustrated by this requirement. We
try to make all our shows all ages.

In Chattanooga in particular,
after the warm reception we received at Riverbend a few years ago, we
were struck by the young demographic that turned out to see us and
wanted to turn the favor by returning quickly for a full show. When
met with the age requirements, we split our show into two sets so that
we could offer an all ages matinee, an approach we were willing to
make, but would rather not have to do.

I hope your opinion piece is
well received and makes a difference. As a band, we are committed to
our fans in Tennessee.

Finally, I am sure you are aware that we have a show schedule in
Nashville and Knoxville coming up soon. I'd like to offer you a pair
of tickets to either of these shows to help you defray the cost of
having to drive. Let me know which one you are planning on attending
and we'll take care of you.

Peace,

Christopher Sabec,
TLG Manager