Locals gone wild! Huh? No, a bunch of Chattanooga residents aren’t on a bead hunt, wildly removing clothing for a chance to get a quarters worth of cheap Chinese beads. It’s about the local bands playing at Riverbend this year. It should stack up to be one of the best years ever for local talent, and I can’t wait to see these musicians shine on stage at one of the USA’s premier festivals.

First, lets answer the question, “Why local bands?” We can hear them anytime in the various venues around town. Here’s why – This is their chance to play in one of the biggest events in the country. They have the use of professionally built stage equipment, the very best in sound equipment and technicians, and it’s all there to make them sound good and to please the audience. You don’t get that at many venues. In most venues, bands play to a few hundred fans at best. At Riverbend, they have the opportunity to play before much larger audiences.

Don’t get me wrong; I love Willie Nelson. The B-52’s, too. And, Three Dog Night. But it’s the local guys that give up their weekends to play in smoky clubs that I respect. They practice when others are out on the boat or playing golf. They spend their extra cash on guitar strings and drumsticks, not putters or boat propellers.

This year, the selection of local talent includes many that have never played Riverbend before. You will get a chance to see some of the local musicians I have been bragging about in my column and decide for yourself if I am nuts or not. Willie Nelson was once a local musician from a small town in Texas. He played the honky-tonks and bars before making it big. I bet he would have loved a chance to play at a Riverbend before he made it big.

Here is free tip number two for Riverbend. Want a great way to arrive without traffic and parking problems? Load up your bicycles and head to Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant on Amnicola Highway. Proprietor Beth Meyer will provide secured parking for cyclists that wish to park their cars at the restaurant and cycle in on the River Park pathway. The access point is right across the street from the restaurant and it is a very short ride down to Riverbend. Just stop in early and have some dinner and she will handle the rest.

Here’s one more little tip about parking. The Soddy Daisy High School Band is raising money for a trip to the Tournament Of Roses Parade next year. They have secure parking available at the old Newton Chevrolet lot at the corner of Riverfront Parkway and MLK Blvd. Parking is available for just $7 a car and 100% goes to the fundraising activity. This spot is a very short walk to the festival gate.

Also starting tomorrow, you can listen to Jeff Styles on WGOW FM in the mornings at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. as he interviews musicians playing the festival this year. Hear some music you like, then go see them in person at Riverbend!

Also beginning Friday afternoon, the Eat ‘N Greet program begins. The Blue Water Grille will feature Deep Blue Sun at 1 p.m. Come down and eat with the musicians, and after lunch, hear them play a couple songs. Come to every one and I will personally give you a free subscription to the Chattanoogan.com.

Here’s a little known fact. Friends Of The Festival, the folks that actually put on Riverbend, have a community outreach program that supports many local charities, such as Goodwill, Blood Assurance, and the Humane Society. In addition they send musicians out to local nursing homes for the folks that aren’t able to attend the festival. In addition, Riverbend partners with the Chattanooga Police Department to support the Crime Prevention Unit. This unit provides the community with information on crime prevention, the Citizen Police Academy, the Explorer program, and Neighborhood Watch programs.

Remember, you have until midnight tonight to get your pins at a discount. Try any Mapco store. Also, for discount tokens, head out to Bi-Lo today!

Did you miss yesterday’s column on Riverbend? You can jump to it right here.

See you there!