The Grinnin’ Mules brought the thunder, and the Cadillac Saints chased the lightning away on the Tennessee Lottery Stage last night. Two great back to back performances started off another great night on night six at Riverbend. Fans for the Cadillac Saints never budged when the 20-minute rainstorm blew through Riverbend, which resulted in 74 degree temperatures for the rest of the evening and lower humidity.

Following those shows, we high-tailed it up the hill to Unum for the end of Leah Seawright’s show. As promised in my column yesterday, she brought one of the most famous drummers in music history, with Alabama’s Mark Herndon keeping the beat for the young country/southern rock rising star. Blues star Janiva Magness took the stage after Seawright, and whipped a huge crowd to a frenzy, with the end result being a thunderous, standing ovation. I even got to do the two-step with Janiva – I took two steps toward her and her security guard took one toward me. Actually, she was very nice, and after the show we spoke about Riverbend and how happy she was to appear at one of the country’s biggest and best festivals.

Blues great Tab Benoit continued the night with a string-breaking performance that had his guitar tech busy almost all night. Benoit’s band, which consisted of just a drummer and bass player, was up to the task and brought the blues, Cajun style. I recognized his bass player, as he played for the late Chubby Carrier’s Bayou Swamp Band for many years. This was big-time blues on the Unum stage last night, once again adding fuel to the fire that this may be the best Riverbend ever. Darius Rucker also played somewhere on the festival site last night.

Tonight, George Clinton and The P-Funk All-Stars bring the funk to the Coke Stage. Look for Clinton to blow that new roof right off the stage with his crazy brand of funky music. I am not usually at the Coke stage, but I may have to watch this one. Look for guys in wedding dresses, diapers and all sorts of craziness.

Several good local bands appear at Riverbend tonight, as Mother Of Pearl opens the Bud Light Stage at 5 p.m., followed by No Big Deal. Dennis Massengale’s band has a special treat in store for fans, as Wesley Crider will appear for a short set prior to No Big Deal taking the stage. Wesley is a World Champion Chet Atkins style guitar player. Following No Big Deal’s show, The Classic Rock All-Stars headline the Bud Light Stage. Made up of players from Iron Butterfly, Rare Earth, Sugarloaf, Blues Image, and Cannibal, the Classic Rock All-Stars will play music from the classic rock era. I had the privilege of taking them a guitar to use for a television appearance and lunchtime meet & greet. Mucho thanks to Chatta-Music for loaning the guitar to us. The Classic Rock All-Stars signed the guitar and it will be on display at the Chatta-Music store on Ringgold Road.

On the Unum Stage, local female band Sistren opens the night, with Native Americans Red Root next at 8 p.m. Headlining the Unum is “one-man Grammy museum” Jimmy Webb. Webb penned some of the most successful hits in music history, including those done by Donna Summer, Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, and others. You may recognize some of his Grammy winning songs, such as Up, Up And Away, Galveston, MacArthur Park, and By The Time I Get To Phoenix. He is the only artist in history to have received a Grammy for Lyrics, Music, and Orchestration.

The Tennessee Valley Credit Union stage rocks tonight, starting with local rockers The Nim Nims. The Riverbend schedule shows Autovaughn next, but Space Capone has replaced them. A Nashville funk group that in some way resembles Here Come The Mummies, Space Capone brings 8 members, including a couple of horns. Hard rock band Hypnowheel closes out the night of rock on the TVCU stage under the bridge.

The Tennessee Lottery stage has Worlds Untold opening at 5:30 p.m., followed by a great local country act, The Nathan Farrow Band. Nathan is a fireman…er…firefighter, a fine gentleman, and an excellent country singer. He brings a good band and good following, with a polished act. This is good country. Real Country music.

By now, you probably have heard that Uriah Heep had to cancel, due to some passport/visa problems. Riverbend went in to scramble mode and found Bad Company’s Brian Howe to fill the slot. Howe, lead singer for Bad Company for many years, will appear with his band Friday night at 7:45 p.m. on the Bud Light Stage. This is when Dixie Fuller earns his keep at Riverbend. Under pressure, he always delivers.

See you there!

Email Bob at Davrik2000@yahoo.com

George Clinton Plays At Riverbend Tonight!