Bob Payne
Close your eyes and picture yourself sitting down to a meal, preparing to listen to a band you have never seen before. Wait, open your eyes; you won’t be able to read my column if you close them. Just pretend. You just take your first bite and the singer starts to belt out the first song. The singer is so good, a chicken wing flies out of your mouth and stabs your husband in the eye. After a trip to the hospital, you return to the restaurant and enjoy the rest of the evening listening to a darn good band.
Did that happen? Almost. Except for the flying wing, the damaged eye, and the trip to the hospital, it’s true. We went to see Black Cat Moon and after about three notes, Pat was astounded. This band is good, I tell you. And, they have a female singer that can flat out sing. When my wife thinks they are good, then they are good.
It is my belief that at some point in time, the DNA of Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar, and Melissa Etheridge were all combined into a tasty treat and consumed by one Janella Hayes, from the Black Cat Moon Band. Not only can she sing, she was wearing a Harley shirt, which means she has excellent taste. Hey folks, the rest of the band is good, too. And their equipment set-up was just right. (Many times, bands confuse the 30 by 20 room in which they are playing for the Georgia Dome and have their volume set accordingly – but not this band, as they were just right)
It gets better. She opened the first set with a Delbert McClinton song. The males sang well, too. Played well, too. They did some Stevie Ray Vaughn, ZZ Top, John Cougar Mellonhead, and Steve Miller. The only down side? Mustang Sally, of course! The crowd loved it and it was done well, but after 129,163 times, we have begun to tire of Mr. Wilson Pickett’s little ditty about a girl that flies a really fast vintage airplane.
You can hear Ms. Janella Hayes and Black Cat Moon, by going HERE. Punch up “I’m The Only One” and give a listen. Venue owners – better call them and book them right now.
After we left Black Cat Moon, we caught a set of StopnStare and a couple sets of CJ Garsee. And another Mustang Sally. I’ll write about them in the coming weeks.
I was corrected in my spelling of Ostrich from last week by librarian major Carol Hixson. I have written to Bill Gates to find out why my spell-check didn’t catch the gaffe, but he hasn’t written back yet. Thanks Carol.
We went to the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, as usual, and had a blast with the Stratoblasters. I also found a great deal on getting some custom made picture frames at the Market at a cost that was half the typical rate. If you have something that needs framing, this guy is for you! He’s there every Sunday. The local strawberries are in, too.
The music in Chattanooga is heating up, with Nightfall coming next week, Riverbend, the Chattanooga Market, festivals, and lots of great local entertainment everywhere. This is my “busy time” of the year, so get ready for some music news hitting the Chattanoogan.com more often.
“Awake, My Soul,” a critically acclaimed feature documentary exploring the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, will be shown at St. Elmo Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 15 at 8:00pm. Free event!
Bob’s Pick-o-the-weekend is the Harper-Monica Duo, appearing at Blue Orleans on Amnicola Highway. I heard Mr. Harper play the sax last week, and this should be a good show! If you are in Dalton, catch Liz Melendez at the Blues Train Café.
Bob’s Pick-o-the week is The Monday Night Big Band at Rhythm & Brews.
Live! In Chattanooga
Thursday, May 14
The Palms At Hamilton – The Gentleman’s Jazz Quartet
Buds – Channing Wilson
JJ’s Bohemia – The Orange Opera, And The Moneynotes, Kyle Tallman
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
T-Bones – Mike Jaynes
Rhythm & Brews – Go Girls Tour with Jen Franklin, Lumbar 5, Electric Soul
Friday, May 15
Barking Legs Theater – Pam Gadd, Louisa Branscomb, and Jane Baxter, with Spatial Effects
Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Throttle Bottom
JJ’s Bohemia – How I Became The Bomb, Coral Castles, The Constellations
Buds – Bud Lightning
Rhythm & Brews – Fly By Radio
Blue Orleans Creole Rest on Amnicola – Harper/Monica Duo * pick of the weekend
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Midtown Music Hall – Jeremy McComb
Hooters – Mike & Rhonda
Bart’s Lakeshore – No Big Deal
Blues Train Café Dalton – Liz Melendez * pick of the weekend
T-Bones – Roger Alan Wade
Market Street Tavern – Live Music
Ziggy’s – Created To Kill, TBA
Hot Spot Dalton – Crossfire
Club Fathom – Six To Never, A Dangerous Man, Hollow Pages, Against The System
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Blue Orleans Downtown – David Anthony Blues
Saturday, May 16
The Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Pink Cadillac
Rhythm & Brews – Appetite For Destruction
Charles & Myrtles – Jeff Talmadge
Ultimate Cycles – Mike & Rhonda @ 5 p.m.
JJ’s Bohemia – Taxicab Racers, Moonlight Bride, Brenn, DJ Talk
Midtown Music Hall – Mighty SideShow
The Palms At Hamilton – Johnston Brown
Ziggy’s – Dead Sea Squirrels, Toxic Fuzz
Hot Spot Dalton - StopnStare
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Club Fathom – Slow Cars, Slower Jets, Saving Ashley, Half Price Hero, Behold The Brave
Blues Train Café Dalton – Johnnie Marshall Band
T-Bones – Channing Wilson
Sunday, May 17
The Chattanooga Market – On stage: Dustin Overbeek, Hudson K
Fanatics East Brainerd Rd – Marc & Matt Ingram @ 7 p.m.
Monday, May 18
Rhythm & Brews – Monday Night Big Band * Pick of the week!
Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam (Bring your instrument)
Tuesday, May 19
Spectaters – Mike & Rhonda
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Wednesday, May 20
Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
The Palms At Hamilton – 2nFro
Ziggy’s – Chris Wade and Smiley acoustic show
JJ’s Bohemia – Baker Family, Thee Something Bros.
Buds – Chris & Reece acoustic show
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla and Little Rickee
To have your venue’s live event listed, or for comments, just email us at davrik@aol.com