It’s that time of year folks, as we get two free concerts per week downtown, not just one. We have Nightfall on Friday night at Miller Plaza, and on Saturday nights we have Riverfront Nights. The beautiful thing about both series is that they feature great music. But wait, there is more. They are both over early enough for a music lover to go out and hear more good music at our local venues. That’s right – you can catch the first set of many of the acts in town after the free downtown events get you warmed up to great music.

Riverfront Nights, now in its fifth year on the Riverfront downtown, offers a free concert on August 5, 12, 26, September 3, 10, and 17. Last week featured the Allman Brothers Revival Band. This week, the great blues guitarist Scott Holt is headlining the show, with Butch Ross as opening act. Buddy Guy once said Scott Holt was the best bluesman in America. That’s a pretty good recommendation. Opener starts at 7 p.m., headliner at 8 p.m.

August 20 you can look for Yarn, with Steel String Sessions opening. The series takes August 27 off for the Southern Brewers Festival. The series returns on Labor Day weekend for Vieux Farka Toure. In a special late night act, Space Capone will perform in a special performance.

September 10 finds Eric Heatherly playing on the Riverfront, with opener Pee Wee Moore and the Awful Dreadful Snakes. (Note to world – Pee Wee could headline any show in America!)

The series finale features Paul Thorn on September 17, with opener Rayland Baxter. That is a great, diverse lineup, and it’s all produced by Friends of the Festival – the folks that bring you Riverbend each year.

My pick of the weekend would be at Lindsey Street Hall, right up from Nightfall on MLK. They are having a Post-Nightfall party each week as a fundraiser for the historic venue. This week, they feature three bands, all with just a $5 cover donation. See schedule below for acts.

My pick-o-the-week is my goofy friend, Jeff Renfro and his three piece band 2NFro, playing at the beautiful Palms venue tonight! They're good and they are fun.

Nightfall features JD McPherson this week, with local openers Uncle Lightnin’. Last week, Nightfall presented one of the best bands I have heard in years – Mingo Fishtrap. This band cooked the Plaza with a three piece horn section, two drummers and a guy that could sing as well as anyone I have ever heard. Riverbend usually steals an act or two from Nightfall each year, and I hope it is Mingo Fishtrap for 2012 Riverbend.

Live in Chattanooga!

Thursday, August 11
The Palms – Jimmy Harris, 2NFro
Southern Comfort – Danger Kitty
Southside Saloon – Billy Hopkins
Rhythm & Brews – The Gist, Nigel Gibson
Honest Pint – Jason Connelly Band, Rosedale Remedy
Acoustic Café – Nathan Farrow
Snookers – Jerry Fordham
JJ’s Bohemia – Ichybod Crankin, Gold Plated Gold

Friday, August 12
Nightfall – JD McPherson, Uncle Lightnin’
Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse – Taylor Pie & Dalton Roberts
Lindsay Street Hall – Keith Crisp & the Tear-Stained Eyes, Tom House,
Heavy Pleasure
American Legion # 95 Ringgold Rd – Silver Creek
The Foundry – Priscilla & Little Rickee
T-Bones – Husky Burnette
Bourbon Street Music Bar – Southlander
Spectaters – Sweet n Lowdown
Southside Saloon – Rick Byers Band
Market Street Tavern – Strung Like A Horse
Angela’s Deli – Dexter Bell Trio
Top Of The Dock – Jerry Fordham
Bud’s Sportsbar – Cadillac Saints
Acoustic Café – Brody Johnson & The Dirt Road Band
The Social – Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers
Tremont Tavern – Amber Fults
Sugar’s Downtown – Skin Deep
Rhythm & Brews – Fly by Radio
The Palms- Jimmy Harris, Smooth Jazz, Dana Rogers
JJ’s Bohemia – Big Kitty, Fat Shadow
The Warehouse - Die to Yourself, Challenger, Beyond Bethel, Reach, Chapters
Dumpy’s – 2NFro

Saturday, August 13
Charles and Myrtles Coffee House – Claudia Nygaard
Chattanooga River Market – Julie Gribble
The Foundry – Priscilla & Little Rickee
Sugar’s BBQ – Skin Deep
Snookers – Booger Holler
Rhythm & Brews – Frontier (Journey Tribute), Matt Stephens Project
Acoustic Café – C Rodeo
Market Street Tavern – Vaughn St. Clair
T-Bones – Nathan Farrow
Good Dog – Josh Gilbert
Spectaters - Crossfire
Back Stage Lounge – Six Shot Revival
Tremont Tavern – TBA
Dalton Depot – St. Elizabeth
Bud’s Sportsbar – Cadillac Saints
The Palms – Jimmy Harris, Smooth Jazz, Towe Jam
Southside Saloon – Monkey Shine
JJ’s Bohemia – Elk Milk, Royal Bangs, Ampline
Pokey’s – 2NFro

Sunday, August 14
Chattanooga Market – Julie Gribble
Rock City – New Binkley Brothers
Honest Pint – The Wooly Jumpers, Pay the Reckoning

Mon, August 15
Market Street Tavern – Old Tyme Players
The Palms – Monday Night Big Band
The Camp House – Blues Night with Lon Eldridge

Tues, August 16
Tremont Tavern – Open Mike w/ Mike McDade
Southside Tavern - Jerry Fordham

Wed, August 17
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla and Little Rickee
Market Street Tavern – Ben Friberg Trio
Bud’s Sportsbar – Arlo Gilliam
The Palms – Jimmy Harris, Prime Cut Trio
Honest Pint – Blue Ribbon Healers, with Butch Ross

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