Many of you know that my wife was diagnosed with cancer this summer and had successful surgery to remove it. After the surgery, the doctors recommended a regimen of radiation therapy that involves 33 treatments. So, off we go to Memorial Hospital’s cancer center every day for the past month. This group of professionals does an incredible job. Every day we arrive at the hospital we are forced to wait about two minutes. They call Pat’s name and she goes back for her radiation. Ten minutes later, out she comes and off we go on our merry way. Talk about efficiency. Look it up in the Webster’s dictionary and there should be a picture of the Memorial Hospital Cancer Center.

What does this have to do with music, you ask? Well, I am always looking for opportunities to hear new musical performances around town and the folks at Memorial have a baby grand piano in the lobby of the cancer treatment center. Several times while we were there for her treatments, someone is playing that piano. Usually it is one of the ladies in a hospital auxiliary smock that plays, although I did see a guy playing it one day. Let me tell you something, whoever has been playing that piano gets a big two thumbs up from ole’ Bob Payne. The patients in the lobby waiting for radiation or chemo all seem to enjoy it, as well. So, to the unknown musicians who provide beautiful music, comfort and assistance to the patients and relatives at Memorial Hospital, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you would like more information about Memorial’s programs for cancer, click here.

Last week I asked who would you like to see play next summer at Riverbend? I got hundreds of emails, but did not reach my magic 500 number, so I will leave it open for another week. Email me at davrik2000@yahoo.com and let me know. I’ll pass on the results to the Riverbend folks in one neat tally. There is no guarantee the Friends Of The Festival folks will be able to get the top choices, but I figured they might want to know who you would like to see. Send em’ in.

The annual Three Sisters Music Festival is this weekend and features some of the top names in bluegrass right on the waterfront. For more info, put your guitar pick right here and click. Oh yeah, it’s free!

Don’t forget the great classic rock concert to be held in Chattanooga on November 7 at the First Tennessee Pavilion. The concert will benefit LOCAL veterans outreach programs. It will feature lawn-chair seating in your most comfortable chair. It’s covered too, so no problems with the weather. Kansas, Edgar Winter Band, and Overland Express will be playing and you can get your tickets by clicking right here, or by calling 423-266-6627.

Bob’s pick-o-the-weekend would be the Three Sisters Music Festival, naturally. With The Dismembered Tennesseans, Lou Wamp, The Grascals, Infamous Stringdusters, Del McCoury Band, and many more will be playing Friday evening and all day Saturday!

Bob’s pick-o-the-week is the workshops and performances at Create Here on Main Street. Here is where you go to get info.

Live in Chattanooga this week!

Thursday, October 1

Chattanooga Market Party at Miller Plaza – Sean Michael Currier, Lon Eldridge
Toast Café on Vine St. – Stuart Payne, Matt Richardson
Spectaters – Mike & Rhonda
Applebees Northgate – Roger Alan Wade
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
JJ’s Bohemia – Digital Leather, Forest Magic, Whoremone
The Mudpie – Reverie, Mere Element
The Palms at Hamilton – Preston Parris Project
Market Street Tavern – Open Mic

Friday, October 2

Charles & Myrtles – John Lathim
Riverhouse Pub – Jordan Hallquist, Gabe Sewell
T-Bones – Black Cat Moon
Rhythm & Brews – Camp Normal, Sub Cam
Blues Train Café Dalton – Phase lll
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant Amnicola Hwy – Matt Turnure Trio
Buds – Booger Holler
Tremont Tavern – TBA
Hot Spot Dalton – Stop N Stare Band
Midtown Music Hall – Brantley Gilbert, Jared Elledge
Market Street Tavern – Right Brain Shift
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
JJ’s Bohemia – Joe Buck, The Twitches
Ziggy’s – Never Surrender, Stoneline, Hard Hippy Project, Surreal, Grassy Blue, 5th Column

Saturday, October 3

Advance Auto Parts Soddy – Danger Kitty plays a benefit for Juvenile Diabetes. Cruise in starts at 5 p.m. and music at 8:30 p.m.
Charles & Myrtles – Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band
Market Street Tavern – Cougar Town
Rhythm & Brews – The Distribution, Dishwater Blonde
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Tremont Tavern – Charles Allison & Friends
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
Riverhouse Pub - Sound Method
Blues Train Café Dalton – Michal Bailey Band
JJ’s Bohemia – Up With The Joneses, Mother Jackson, Ramblehorse
Dalton Depot – Mudville Mafia
Club Fathom – Grassy Blue, Free Range Mistiks, Smack
The Mudpie – Open Mic
Ziggy’s – Out Of Body

Sunday, October 4

Chattanooga Market – Live on stage: New Binkley Brothers

Tuesday, October 6

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Tremont Tavern – Open Mic

Wednesday, October 7

Bonefish Grille – Mike Harris
Buds – Roger Alan Wade
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla & Little Rickee
The Palms – Preston Parris
Create Here – Workshops and performances by Arrington Di Dionyso and Shaking Ray Levi’s

Bob Payne
Davrik@aol.com