I pictured the donkey from Hee-Haw; you know, the one that came across the screen grinning when Lulu or Junior Samples said something really earthshaking. Only this time, I figured it would be a whole group of smiling donkey characters; playing some bluegrass music and beating on trash can lids and washtubs. Well, just like the dudes that were in charge of ordering jellybeans for this year’s Easter, I was way off base. (Note to first time readers…see last week’s jellybean article)

The Grinnin’ Mules, out of North Georgia, are a pretty darn tight group of fine musicians. Three guitars, a bass, and a drummer make up this band, and their repertoire is quite varied. They went from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen to rap. For you guitar buffs, this band uses not one Fender Telecaster, but two. I mention this because it is pretty unique. The Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul are the industry standards, but the Telecaster is a mighty fine instrument that has been around a long, long time. It produces a tad different sound than its cousin the Strat. Merle Haggard plays a Telecaster. James Burton, a member of Elvis Presley’s band TCB, plays one. The Grinnin’ Mules play two!

This band features some interesting variations on some songs, with some pretty cool vocal harmonies. You can see their website, view their schedule, and hear samples of their music at click here. They are available for gigs and they brought a huge crowd with them, too.

We were also able to catch Standing Room Only at the Tin Can. This band rocks! The crowd, which included Rodney Parham and Ray Standefer, loved them. Want to hear the best male vocalist in Chattanooga? Try Landis Batts, just one of SRO’s talented singers.

Bob’s pick-o-the-week-end is, without a doubt, the Here Come The Mummies shows at Rhythm & Brews. These nuts put on a great show and are as fine a group of musicians to be found anywhere. They are at R & B for TWO nights, Friday and Saturday! Each show will feature different music from their repertoire, so I recommend attending both shows. Here is a link for tickets and info click here.

Bob’s pick-o-the-week is the Legendary Shackshakers, playing at JJ’s Bohemia on Tuesday, April 28. Here is their site, with music samples click here.

My favorite Sunday afternoon activity, The Chattanooga Market, starts up at 11 a.m. at the Pavilion across from Findley Stadium. Local vendors with great fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, and great music are just some of the features of the market. The Chattanooga Market hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday. Music on stage starts around 12:30. No admission charge! Family friendly. Rain or shine! for info click here.

I received a lot of emails in regards to my story and link to Susan Boyle, the Britain Has Talent phenomenon that just blew people away with her magnificent voice. Only one person, my brother, noticed I had her name wrong, though. It was neat to be out front of the mainstream media with this story. Thanks again to the guys at Quick-Tees for the heads up. Susan Boyle for Riverbend 2010? Better sign her now, guys.

My 100-pound weight loss has also resulted in many emails and comments relating to my new picture that accompanies this column. Thanks! I must be better looking because just the other day I was driving down Main Street and a young lady flagged me down. Thinking she may be in distress, I stopped, but alas, she apparently had seen my new attractiveness firsthand and wanted a date. Naturally, I turned her down, but I was flattered nonetheless.

Live! In Chattanooga

Thursday, April 23

The Palms At Hamilton – Nathan Farrow Band

Buds – Channing Wilson

JJ’s Bohemia – Ian Thomas, Corduroy Road, The Fox Hunt, Gurle Haggard

Rhythm & Brews – Very Disco (Daft Punk Tribute), with Immuzikation

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Friday, April 24

Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Soul Survivor

Pasha Coffee And Tea – Bob Wiegers

JJ’s Bohemia – Madeline, Caitlin Rose, The Fox Hunt

Market Street Tavern – Bluegrass Pharaohs

Rhythm & Brews – Here Come The Mummies * Pick-o-the-weekend

Blue Orleans Creole Rest on Amnicola – Booker Scruggs Ensemble

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Blues Train Café Dalton – Fat, Drunk, and Ugly

T-Bones – Nathan Farrow

Midtown Music Hall – Casey Adams

Riders – Common Ground

Ziggy’s – Laymans Envs, Dead Sea Squirrels, 476

Buds – The Mudflaps

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Blue Orleans Downtown – David Anthony Blues

Saturday, April 25

The Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Jerry Fordham

Rhythm & Brews – Here Come The Mummies * Pick-o-the-weekend Charles & Myrtles – Peter Cooper and Eric Brace

JJ’s Bohemia – River City Hustlers, Macon Greyson, Dog And Pony Show

Tremont Tavern – Roger Alan Wade with Rick Hall

The Palms At Hamilton – Preston Parris

Riders – Bud Lightning, Common Ground

Market Street Tavern – Incredible Heat Machine

Midtown Music Hall – Williams Riley

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Blues Train Café Dalton – Buckner Brothers Band

T-Bones – Amber Fults Band

Club Fathom – Destroy, Destroy, Destroy; As The Serpent Proclaimed, Sons Of Cynics, Sight Beyond Sight

Sunday, April 26

The Chattanooga Market Returns for 2009! – On stage: Tin Cup Gypsy, Jimmy Davis, Bucktown Kickback

Monday, April 27

JJ’s Bohemia – Moonlight Bride, Fire Zuave, Kaiser Cartel

Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam (Bring your instrument)

Tuesday, April 28

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Blue Orleans Downtown – Roddy Noll Jazz Trio

JJ’s Bohemia – The Legendary Shackshakers, Cutthroat Shamrock

Wednesday, April 29

Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Midtown Music Hall – Danger Muffin, with Seersucker

The Palms At Hamilton – Johnston Brown

Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla and Little Rickee

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