Funky rhythms have made a splash in Chattanooga, with bands like Here Come The Mummies, Space Capone and Big Sam’s Funky Nation laying down righteous grooves for an ever-growing fan-base of music lovers. Now it’s time for the SkyHi Band to get the funk on at Rhythm & Brews this Friday night.

Do they bring the horns? In the words of Sarah Palin, “You Betcha!” - Four of them – a trumpet, a trombone, and 2 saxophones. Nine musicians, coincidently the same number as Here Come The Mummies, SkyHi brings their own brand of funk. It seems to have a little more R & B influence than the aforementioned bands, but with a healthy dose of funk thrown in for good measure. Perhaps they say it best on their Myspace page – “Basically, take all the greasy old school funk and soul between the years of 1965 and 1975, throw in a pinch of afrobeat, add a touch of rock, and a hint of electronics and you'll have a defunkalicious sky hi melting pot of influences.”

Speaking of influences, they say theirs come from Stevie Wonder, James Brown, the J.B's, the Isley Brothers, P-funk, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sly and the Family Stone, Rick James, Galactic, the Meters, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Fela Kuti, Otis Redding, and Isaac Hayes. Not bad, eh?

For my regular readers, you know I always try and get you a quick link to the band, so here it is. Here is also the quick link to buy tickets for Friday’s show at Rhythm & Brews - click here.

Riverfront Nights starts up again this Saturday, with Telluride as headliner and Slim Pickins opening. I really like this music series, held down on the riverfront in front of where the Coke stage sits during Riverbend. It’s a free concert and is kind of laid back.

Nightfall is Friday night, and features Plants And Animals band, with Ramble Horse opening. For more info, just point and click here.

The Colgate Country Showdown finale is Saturday evening at the Lower Level, aka the old Governor’s Lounge. All of the preliminary round finalists will be on hand for the contest, which begins at 6 p.m. The winner may go on to the next level and an eventual chance at $100,000.00. I’ll be judging this contest and the talent so far has been absolutely stellar.

Bud’s Sportsbar is celebrating their 32nd anniversary this weekend, with shows from Bud Lightning on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Congratulations to Bud’s and their fine staff for 32 great years.

Bob’s Pick-O-The –Weekend is Riverfront Nights on Saturday evening, with Telluride and Slim Pickins.

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Week is the open mic nite at Magoo’s in East Ridge – every Wednesday with host troy Underwood

Live in Chattanooga this week!

Thursday, July 29
Chattanooga Market Party at Miller Plaza – 5 p.m. - Stratoblasters
The Palms At Hamilton – Jimmy Harris, David Anthony, Buckner Brothers
Rhythm & Brews – Holy Ghost Tent Revival, No. 9 Freight
Bud’s Sportsbar – Channing Wilson
Spectaters – Blake Morrison
Market Street Tavern – Open Mic
JJ’s Bohemia – Gringo Star, Indian Friend, The Coal Men
Bart’s Lakeshore – Tim Lewis & Reece

Friday, July 30
Nightfall – Plants & Animals, Ramble Horse
Chattanoogan Hotel Foundry Lounge – Dave Pope Trio
Rhythm & Brews – SkiHi, Homegrown Band
Tremont Tavern – Butch Ross
Buds Sportsbar – Bud Lightning Band
T-Bones – Dead Levy
Delta Queen – Milele Roots
Riverhouse Pub – AJ Valcarcel & Bitter Lesson
Bart’s Lakeshore – Downstream
The Palms At Hamilton – Jimmy Harris, David Anthony
Village Sports Bar – Channing Wilson
Market Street Tavern – Forrest Magic
JJ’s Bohemia – Moonlight Bride, Young Orchids
Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant – Matt Turnure Trio
Bluff View Art District – MeloManiacs from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ziggy’s – Molly Maguires, Alexander, 4 Reference Only

Saturday, July 31
Rossville Athletic Center – Husky Burnette @ 2 p.m.
Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse – Doug Spears
The Incline Summer Music Series
Riverfront Nights – Telluride, Slim Pickins
Rock City Summer Music Series – New Binkley Brothers
Barking Legs Theater – Matt Kinman& Jonathon Ferrell Duo
Saturday River Market Party @ Aquarium – Possum Hunters Blues, Cumberland Band
Chattanoogan Hotel Foundry Lounge – Dave Pope Trio
T-Bones – Cadillac Saints
Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant – Tim Hughes Quartet
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jason Thomas & The Mean Eyed Cats
Market Street Tavern – Funktastic 5
The Palms At Hamilton – Jimmy Harris, Dana Rogers
Buds Sportsbar – Bud Lightning
Hot Spot Dalton – Booger Holler
Tremont Tavern – Mat Kearney, Jane Carrey
Bluff View Art District – MeloManiacs from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
JJ’s Bohemia – Heypenny, Nim Nims, Machines Are People Too, Kyle Andrews
Ziggy’s – Cattle Truck, OSO Bear, Swing Shot, Captivate, A Greater Beginning

Sunday, August 1
Bud’s Sportsbar – Bud Lightning @ 6 p.m.
The Incline Summer Music Series
Rock City Summer Music Series – New Binkley Brothers
Chattanooga Market – Jill King, Justin Overbeek
Tremont Tavern – Pay The Reckoning, Irish Music Session

Monday, Aug 2
Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam
The Palms At Hamilton – Monday Night Big Band

Tuesday, Aug 3
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Tremont Tavern – Open Mic
Market Street Tavern – Billy Hopkins
Spectaters – Channing Wilson
Acoustic Café Ringgold – Open Mic

Wednesday, Aug 4
Magoo’s – Open Mic with Troy Underwood
Rhythm & Brews – Angie Aparo, Dave Dykes
Village Sportsbar – Open Mic
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla & Little Rickee
Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio
Buds Sportsbar – Jason Thomas (Johnny Cash tribute)

See you there!

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or click here for Facebook Page.