I am dedicating this year’s series of Riverbend columns to all of the local performers in Chattanooga. Each day, I will highlight some of the acts play the festival, and encourage everyone to try and catch at least one local act per night. This year, Riverbend has many acts playing the festival for the first time. It’s an exciting time for them and I know they would love your support.

The Soddy Daisy rockers Infinite Orange will be back this year. I am proud to say that I was one of the first music writers to recognize their talents from Riverbend a few years ago. Tonight at 7:45 p.m., under the bridge up top by the Art Museum.

The Soddy Daisy High School Marching Band will be at Riverbend, also. This award-winning band will be at the Tournament Of Roses Parade next year. They also reign from, that’s right – you guessed it, Soddy Daisy. On the Unum Stage by the Art Museum, tonight at 6:30 p.m.

BaaddMojo is a really cool local band consisting of some very accomplished musicians who play some funky versions of cover songs, as well as some original songs. You won’t hear Mustang Sally here. They will be on the “green” tonight at the TVA Showcase stage, at 5:30, right before Bud Lightning.

Bud Lightning is one of Chattanooga’s premier party bands. These guys will get you up dancing to all the hits, and will party with the crowd as well as any band. Come to this one to have fun and dance. TVA Showcase stage.

The invasion of the belly dancers returns to Riverbend, as the Love Lotus Dancers take to the Bud Light Stage Friday at 5 p.m.

Molly King offers some psychedelic rock and soul under the bridge at 6:15, right before Infinite Orange.

My picks for tonight? I would like to see BaaddMojo and Bud Lightning rock the crowd at Riverbend, as well as Infinite Orange and Betty LeVette.

I can’t believe Riverbend was able to get Betty LeVette. One of the finest soul singers in American history, she is fresh off a Tonight Show appearance, and a Radio City Music Hall appearance with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. This is big-time music and its right on the Unum Stage at 9:30 p.m.

I’ll probably try and catch some of the Red Headed Stranger, as well. One of the most prolific song writers ever, Willie Nelson takes to the Coke Stage at 9:30 p.m. While only Patsy Cline and Shani Hedden can do “Crazy” the way it was meant to be done, Willie wrote the song and probably knows how to perform it, as well.

Want to catch up on my articles for Riverbend? For part one, click here. For the second segment, click here. For the third in the series just page up and read this one again, as you are here now.

Here is the entire schedule for Riverbend - riverbend schedule here.

See you there!