I like rock music, country, big band music, bluegrass, jazz, zydeco, and you name it. Sometimes, I just like it when a solo artist with a guitar just picks, plays and sings. Such is the case with Troy Underwood. I first heard him play at the Mudpie’s monthly open-mic contest, in which I was honored to be a judge. He got my vote. Troy is blessed with a great voice and some fine songwriting skills. He does a variety of songs, ranging from his originals to really good covers. He speaks with a quiet voice, but can sing with the best of them.

Want to hear him sing? Try the Mudpie on Frazier Avenue next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Be sure and try one of Mudpie’s homemade desserts, too. He will also be at Riverbend this year, Sunday, June 13 on the Tennessee Lottery Stage. Trust me on this one, folks – he is a real pleasure.

Speaking of Riverbend, there are some additions to Riverbend that feature some local artists. Milele Roots will perform on the Bud Light Stage, The Tim Hughes Quartet will be under the bridge on the Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage, and Gabriel Newell will be on the Unum Stage. The Coke Stage acts are the best Riverbend offerings ever, but the side stages are where it’s happening for some really cool music. Check out the entire schedule by clicking here. It is an incredible website, destined to win awards with it’s interactive features.

Speaking of Riverbend some more, the folks over there say there will be no mystery guest speculation this year. Last year got all out of hand, as the rumor mill was grinding out all kinds of weird stuff. Most of that comes from wishful thinking by music fans, not Riverbend. My advice is to go see the artists that are on the schedule and have a good time.

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Weekend is Cornmeal, playing at Rhythm & Brews on Friday night. This progressive bluegrass group is one of the nation’s premier jamgrass bands. Also appearing is Slim Pickins, recipient of the 2009 Bluegrass Band Of The Year in Chattanooga.

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Week is The Micks, appearing tonight (Thursday) at Big River Grill Downtown in a benefit for Big Brothers-Big Sisters from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Live In Chattanooga!

Thursday, March 11
Market Street Tavern – Open Mic

The Mudpie – Escape Ferocity, Hegarty & DeYoung

Rhythm & Brews – Lucero, The Bohannons

Bud’s Sportsbar– Channing Wilson

The Palms At Hamilton – Pink Cadillac

JJ’s Bohemia – The Infected, Dun Bin Had, Guystorm

Bart’s Lakeshore – Roger Alan Wade

Lindsay Street Hall – Live Music

Big River Downtown – The Micks (5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)

Friday, March 12
The Mudpie Lunch Special – Morgan Bayer

T-Bones – Rick Bowers & The Majors

Spectaters – Sweet N Lowdown

Bart’s Lakeshore – 6 Deuce

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jason Thomas & The Mean Eyed Cats

The Palomino Club – Black Cat Moon

Rhythm & Brews – Cornmeal, Slim Pickins

Village Bar & Grill – Husky Burnette

Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant – Celtic Plain

Market Street Tavern – Fearful Symmetry

Buds Sportsbar – Nathan Farrow Band

Tremont Tavern – Jordan Hallquist

Ravens Nest Dunlap - Crossfire

JJ’s Bohemia – North American Royalty (6 p.m. Free Show)

JJ’s Bohemia – Left Lane Cruiser, The Unsatisfied

Saturday, March 13
Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse – Sarah McQuaid

Chattanooga Billiards Club East – Overland Express

Bud’s Sportsbar – Nathan Farrow Band

The Palomino Club – Black Cat Moon

Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jason Thomas & The Mean Eyed Cats

T-Bones – Roger Alan Wade

Dalton Depot – Booger Holler

Hot Spot Dalton – Long Shot

Ravens Nest Dunlap - Crossfire

Rhapsody Café – Husky Burnette

Tremont Tavern – AJ Valcarcel & The Bitter Lesson
Rhythm & Brews – The Wrong Way

Delta Queen Orleans Room – Sallie Beckes & The Louisiana Social Club
The Mudpie – Open Mic
JJ’s Bohemia – Live Music

Ziggy’s – The Loose Screws, Tone Deaf Pig Dogs, Random Conflict, Drop Dead Nasty, Poisonville Rats

Sunday, March 14
Tremont Tavern – Irish Sessions Group

Mudpie – Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers

JJ’s Bohemia – Two Man Gentleman Band, Front Porch Regulars

Monday, March 15
T-Roy’s Roadhouse – Knifey Spoonie, The Rolling Blackouts, Concerning Lions

Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam

Lindsay Street Hall – Chattanooga Big Band @ 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 16
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Tremont Tavern – Open Mic

Market Street Tavern – Billy Hopkins

Mudpie – Troy Underwood

JJ’s Bohemia – Univox

Bart’s Lakeshore – Tim Starnes & Dion

Wednesday, March 17
Bud’s Sportsbar – Soul Survivor

Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla & Little Rickee

Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio

Rhythm & Brews – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Cadillac Saints

The Palms At Hamilton – Preston Parris

Bart’s Lakeshore – The Molly Maguires

Dalton Depot – Deacon Miles

JJ’s Bohemia – Diakaju, One Shoe Untied, Ampline

Bob Payne - email at davrik2000@yahoo.com