I really am a blues music fan, but we don’t have a whole lot of blues bands in Chattanooga. However many we have, we just got one more, and it was none too soon for me. The Hook-up is loose and out playing some fine blues in Chattanooga. Yee-haw, boys and girls – this band is a hum-dinger.

Let’s dig a bit deeper into this band. We’ll start with the man that keeps the beat, drummer Ron Gerber. Not only is he a good drummer, but he can sing the blues, too. My sources say these guys not only play the blues, but they are true blues music aficionados. That’s what I’m talking about. Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Delbert McClinton, Janice Joplin, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray, and all the greats.

Chris Moffat, another blues nut, picks a 20-year old Les Paul Special like he stole it. I have never been a big Gibson fan, but I am now. Clean and precise, this guy shows his stuff, but doesn’t go into long riffs and breaks that guys like and the girls often hate. He hits his marks, my friends.

Now here is where things get weird. Shani Hedden offers up her vocals for this band. You may know of Shani, as she played the lead role in the musical, Always…Patsy Cline. Believe me, Shani can sing the blues, too. And to top it off, they have Kenny Palmer playing bass guitar. Let me tell you about Kenny. He is the best bass player I have ever seen and heard. Almost every one he has ever played with says the same thing. Combine his talents with the other three, and you have the making of some fine blues. You can meet them and see their schedule at this place. You can also see them live tonight at Fox Cay at Island Cove Marina on Highway 58.

You have about a week to buy, rent, steal or borrow a boat for one of my most favorite events, Aquapalooza 2009. It will be held on July 18, right on Chickamauga Lake. It’s a party on the lake, with Bud Lightning playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the floating stage right in the middle of Lake Chickamauga. For more info and to register for the free event, try this right here.

We went to Ronnie Dodd’s firearm course this week, too. This is an excellent course, taught by a really good teacher with tons of experience. I highly recommend it, whether you intend to get a carry permit or not. However, the only music you will here there is on the firing range.

Bob’s Pick-o-the week is tonight at Island Cove Marina in the Fox Cay Restaurant. You can hear some fine blues with the Hook-up.

I highly recommend Black Cat Moon for my Pick-o-the-weekend. They are playing at The Tin Can on Saturday Night. (Note – it’s Tin Can, not Tin Cup!) For those that are first time readers, this band has one of the finest female singers in Chattanooga. You can also catch them on Friday at Hot Spot Lounge in Dalton.

Live! In Chattanooga

Thursday, July 9

Fox Cay at Island Cove – The Hook-up * Bob’s Pick-o-the-week

Rhythm & Brews – David Wilcox

The Palms At Hamilton – Throttle Bottom

Buds – Channing Wilson

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Mudpie – Megan Howard, Gabriel Newell

JJ’s Bohemia – Protomen, Taxicab Racers, Dignan

Friday, July 10

Nightfall – Joint Effort Band, Dan Baird & Homemade Sin

Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Bounty Hunter

JJ’s Bohemia – Angel Snow, Butch Ross, North American Royalty, Korby Lenker

Rio Picante - BaaddMojo

T-Bones – Amber Fults Band

Buds – The Beaters

Rhythm & Brews – Drivin’ and Cryin’

Midtown Music Hall – Sparkz

Market Street Tavern – Bluegrass Pharaohs, with Ben Pedigo

Blue Orleans Creole Rest on Amnicola – Booker Scruggs Ensemble

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Bart’s Lakeshore – Chad Yates

Ziggy’s – 40 oz Folklore, The Loose Screws, Apathy Ensues

Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda

Tremont Tavern – KC & Wes

Blues Train Café Dalton – Undercover Blues Band

The Palms At Hamilton – Tim Lewis

Hot Spot Dalton – Black Cat Moon

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

Blue Orleans Downtown – David Anthony Blues

Club Fathom – The Highway Drifters, Pictures Of Lenny, Elijah James

Saturday, July 11

Ziggy’s – Mental Restraint, Second Hand Trio, Jenna’s Side

JJ’s Bohemia – The Bohannons, High Plains Drifter, Alcohol Stunt Band

Bart’s Lakeshore – Chad Yates

Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Black Cat Moon * Bob’s pick-o-the-weekend

T-Bones – Joint Effort Band

Blues Train Café Dalton – Liz Melendez

Buds – Jeremy Leslie

Spectaters – Bounty Hunter

Rhythm & Brews – The Breakfast Club

Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda

Dalton Depot – Mudville Mafia

Tremont Tavern – Tim Cofield

Market Street Tavern – Tone Harm performs Michael Jackson

Midtown Music Hall – Eulogy (Tool Tribute), with Turncoat Conspiracy

Hot Spot Dalton – Booger Holler

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows

Mudpie – Open Mic

Club Fathom – Between Two Seas, Rookies At Best, Always In August, Beyond Bethel

Sunday, July 12

The Chattanooga Market – On stage: Jennifer Brantley, White Bay Freddie

Barking Dogs Theater – Verlon Thompson

Monday, July 13

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

Rhythm & Brews – Monday Night Big Band

Tuesday, July 14

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

JJ’s Bohemia – Open Mic

Wednesday, July 15

Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio

The Palms At Hamilton – 2NFro

Rhythm & Brews – Slim Pickins

Buds – Chris & Reece

Bonefish – Mike Harris

Dalton Depot – Tommy Davis

JJ’s Bohemia – Open Mic with Matt Bohannon

Rhythm & Brews – Mindy Smith, with Butch Ross

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