Saturday night at the First Tennessee Pavilion was a whole bucket-o-fun. The weather was good, and the music was fantastic. Overland Express took the stage first and proved once again why they were one of the best bands ever to come out of Chattanooga. They brought out a good crowd, as they have for three decades. If you missed Overland last week, you can catch them again Monday night at Rhythm & Brews. See my pick of the week.

During the Overland show, I was commissioned to make a run to the Colonel to get an eight piece chicken box for Edgar Winter. Apparently, the Colonel’s secret herbs and spices were just what he needed to show the world that the old Woodstock rocker could still bring it in true rock n’ roll tradition. Edgar put on a great show, exhibiting his expertise on the drums, saxophone, and keyboards. And yes, Frankenstein rocks when witnessed live.

Kansas capped off a great night, playing many of the hits that helped them sell over thirty million records. I really liked what Dixie Fuller had to say at the concert – “This is fun. There should be more events like this at the Pavilion.” I agree. If the city of Chattanooga would just spend a few dollars to finish the Pavilion and make it concert friendly, promoters would use the facility more. In it’s current state, it isn’t concert friendly, but it wouldn’t take much to fix.

The Jukebox Junction Theater has closed its run at the Choo-Choo. I really enjoyed that show and hope they land on their feet here in town somewhere. Hey, that big boat that is docked at Coolidge Park would be a great venue for the show. You know the one. It has a big paddle wheel. They allegedly have entertainment on board, but I have never received any notice indicating such. Maybe that means they have so much business that they don’t need the free listing on the schedule. Spectaters, Bart’s Lakeshore, The Lower Level, and a few others join the big boat as nolo provido musico schedulo.

The rumor mill has Midtown Music Hall discontinuing live music, in favor of a DJ. That’s a real shame, but not unexpected. It has struggled for a long time. Yesterday’s it was not. Spotty service, limited food choices, and a music lineup that was at best confusing, may have added to its demise.

Speaking of closing down, my computer decided to do just that last week, taking with it all of my work. Luckily, the great folks at Computer Works over on Shallowford Road were able to retrieve my hard drive info from the dead, rotting carcass that was formerly my laptop. They rock, too!

For a good time on a Thursday night, try the Tremont Tavern in North Chattanooga. Bill E. Payne is playing there. Tell him I sent you and he may give you one of those million dollar bills he has tucked away in his guitar case. Get him to play “My Pappy”, a song about my grandfather and an eel that ate my fishing line in Colonial Beach, VA.

My pick-o-the week is a benefit concert for Rob Hassell at Rhythm & Brews, starring Overland Express and Roger Alan Wade. Great musicians gather to help a fellow musician. Get more info and tickets by clicking here.

Bob’s pick-o-the-weekend is Liz Melendez, playing at the Blues Train Café in Dalton this Saturday Night. A great musician, this show is worth the 30-minute drive to Dalton. Call 706-529-2582. She is a wicked blues guitarist and you can visit her website right here.

Live In Chattanooga!

Thursday, November 12

Tremont Tavern – Bill E. Payne

Rhythm & Brews – The Greencards,

JJ’s Bohemia – Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Now You See Them

The Mudpie – Digital Butter, Cory Tucker
The Palms at Hamilton – Sweet n Lowdown
Market Street Tavern – Open Mic
Bud’s – Channing

Friday, November 13

The Mudpie Lunch Special – Matt Bohannon

Barking Legs Theater – Mosier Brothers, with David Blackmon
T-Bones – Underhill
Riverhouse Pub – Subconscious
Rhythm & Brews – Award show

Hot Spot Lounge Dalton – Black Cat Moon

Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant– Tim Hughes Quartet
Buds – Booger Holler

Blues Train Café Dalton – Buckner Brothers & Little Joe Burton

JJ’s Bohemia – Paleface, The Dirt Daubers, Forest Magic, Blackbelts

Tremont Tavern – Ogya

Market Street Tavern – Gabriel Newell
Ziggy’s – Out Of Body, Curse The Day, Husky

Spectaters – Sweet n Lowdown

Raven’s Nest Dunlap - Crossfire

Saturday, November 14

Mikes Music Supply Flintstone – Norman Blake (423-605-7975 for info)

Charles & Myrtles – Kevin Gordon
Market Street Tavern – Second Saturdays

JJ’s Bohemia – Milele Roots, Mirabai Bellydancers
Rhythm & Brews – Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute)

Blues Train Café Dalton – Liz Melendez * Bob’s pick-o-the-weekend
Tremont Tavern – Winston Brown & friends

Spectaters – Sweet n Lowdown
Dalton Depot – Bud Lightning

Hot Spot Dalton – Booger Holler

Riverhouse Pub – Joecephus and the Jonestown Massacre
The Mudpie – Open Mic
Midtown Music Hall – Jeremy McComb

Raven’s Nest Dunlap - Crossfire

Sunday, November 15

Chattanooga Market – Live on stage: Tyler Reeve, Jen Woodhouse

Tremont Tavern – Irish Sessions Group

The Mudpie - The Rick Rushing Blues Trio @6:30 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia – Digital Butter, Atari Steed, Opportunities

Monday, November 16

Rhythm & Brews – Benefit Concert w/ Overland Express, Roger Alan Wade * Bob’s pick-o-the-week!

Market Street Tavern – Old Time Players

Tuesday, November 17

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Tremont Tavern – Open Mic
Market Street Tavern – Billy Hopkins

JJ’s Bohemia – Hope For A Golden Summer, North American Royalty

Ziggy’s – Deep Levey, Brenda Taylor

Wednesday, November 18

Buds – Joel, with the Micks
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla & Little Rickee
Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio

Rhythm & Brews – Jill Andrews, Dave Dykes, Matt Butcher

The Palms At Hamilton – Johnston-Brown

Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio