Riverbend made the final announcement for the Coke stage today, putting The Waybacks, John Cowan, and Joan Osborne on the big stage with the Chattanooga Symphony. This should be one of the coolest shows at Riverbend this year. (Or any other year, for that matter.) They will be doing a cover of a famous rock album, yet unannounced. So, I suppose there actually is a mystery guest at this year’s Riverbend, and the mystery is the name of the album. Who could it be, Bob? I don’t know. I really don’t, but it is going to be one everyone will know.

Dumpstafunk, Arturo Sandoval, and Lyfe Jennings were also announced for the side stages. I am really excited about Sandoval, playing under the bridge on the Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage. I love horns, and this guy plays one like nobody’s business. Check out the entire schedule by clicking here.

In keeping with the Riverbend theme, I caught Rick Bowers out playing last weekend. He will be at Riverbend on June 12, playing on the Bud Light Stage at 5:00 p.m. This was an interesting performance; as the band had a banjo, accordion, lead guitar, drums, a pedal steel guitar, bass, and a fiddle, although not all instruments are played at once. The multi-talented band alternates instruments depending on the song. We didn’t hear Mustang Sally, so Rick Bowers started off with extra credit.

Friends Of The Festival also has announced the new Riverbend Rewards Program, which gives the pin buyer all sorts of benefits just for purchasing a Riverbend pin online at a discount.

As a member, you will be the first to know about all Friends of the Festival and Riverbend Rewards Partner news, as well as receiving exclusive discounts and promotions from those Partners. You will also get a 10% discount on all Festival merchandise during the 2010 Riverbend Festival. As an added benefit, your 2010 Riverbend Festival admission pin will give you admission to the 2010 Chattanooga Classic golf tourney in October.

Best of all, you get a discounted 2010 Riverbend Festival admission price of $28, only during the month of April, when you select the Riverbend Rewards pin purchase option. That's a savings of 30% off the regular admission price! You can check it out at right here.

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Weekend is Power Play, playing at Bart’s Lakeshore Saturday night. This action-packed band from Detroit has relocated to the area and I can assure you - they wont disappoint!

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Week is John Lathim, playing at the Riverhouse Pub on Frazier Avenue tonight. (Thursday) John will also be at Riverbend, so this is a great opportunity to preview the big show.

Live In Chattanooga!

Thursday, March 18

The Mudpie – Funktastic 4, Kevin Klein

Bud’s Sportsbar– Channing Wilson

The Palms At Hamilton – Nathan Farrow

Riverhouse Pub – John Lathim

Market Street Tavern – Open Mic

JJ’s Bohemia – Incredible Sandwich, Zan Teddy, Justin Kalk Orchestra

Lindsay Street Hall – Live Music

Friday, March 19

The Mudpie Lunch Special – Nick & The Dragon Slayers

T-Bones – Chris & Reece from Bud Lightning

Spectaters – Power Play

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

The Palomino Club – Crossfire

Rhythm & Brews – Human Nature Tour (Michael Jackson Tribute)

Magoo’s – Husky Burnette

Riverhouse Pub – The Tammys, Low Strung Assassin

Dalton Depot – Stop N Stare

Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant – Tim Hughes Quartet

Market Street Tavern – D Self & The Funktastic 4

Buds Sportsbar – Downstream

Tremont Tavern – Leo Schmied

JJ’s Bohemia – James Legg, Silver Lions, 20/20, Oxford Cotton, Mark Holder

Saturday, March 20

Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse – Tripping Lily

Bud’s Sportsbar – Downstream

The Palomino Club – Crossfire

Bart’s Lakeshore – Power Play

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

T-Bones – The Molly Maguires

Dalton Depot – Stop N Stare

Spectaters – Sweet N Lowdown

Riverhouse Pub – AJ Valcarcel & The Bitter Lesson

Market Street Tavern – Bluegrass Pharaohs

Tremont Tavern – Dave Kennedy
Rhythm & Brews – Abbey Road Live

Delta Queen Orleans Room – Sallie Beckes & The Louisiana Social Club
The Mudpie – Open Mic
JJ’s Bohemia – The Whisky Gentry, Gerle Haggard

Ziggy’s – Bloody Sacrifice, Apocalyptic Visions, Double Barrel Democracy

Sunday, March 21

Tremont Tavern – Irish Sessions Group

Rhythm & Brews – Tea Leaf Green, Moon Taxi

Mudpie – Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers

JJ’s Bohemia – Today The Moon, Tomorrow The Sun, Wintersounds

Monday, March 22

Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam

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

Tuesday, March 23

Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Tremont Tavern – Open Mic

Market Street Tavern – Billy Hopkins

Mudpie – Troy Underwood

JJ’s Bohemia – The Woes, Ian Thomas, Joshua Panda Band

Bart’s Lakeshore – Tim Starnes & Dion

Wednesday, March 24

Bud’s Sportsbar – Nathan Farrow

Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla & Little Rickee

Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio

Rhythm & Brews – Pnuma Trio, Break Science

The Palms At Hamilton – Johnston Brown

JJ’s Bohemia – Finn Riggins, Serious Sam, Mark Holder

Bob Payne - email at davrik2000@yahoo.com