The Acoustic Café in Ringgold is quickly becoming a destination for good, live music as the top local and regional bands appear there on a regular basis each week. And, while the name has acoustic in it, many of the acts run a full electric set with full bands.

One of the big-time acts, The River City Showcase, hits the Acoustic Café this Saturday night. Chattanooga Hall of Famer Jimmy Tawater leads his new 10-piece all-star band to Catoosa County for a rare public appearance. Take a look at the band, which is chock full of big-time touring musicians and local all-star talent. First off, there is a horn section extraordinaire. Anchored by Sax player Carle Vickers, founding member of the platinum selling band LTD, this horn section is second to none. Keith Guillot plays the Baritone Sax and Stephen Bearden is on the Trumpet.

I can think of two acts that most bands won’t even attempt to cover – Adele and Here Come The Mummies. Adele is just too good and Here Come The Mummies has “THE Horn Section.” The River City Review covers both very well. That alone should tell you about the music quality. Janella Hayes, the four-time winner of Chattanooga’s Female Singer of the Year award lends her incredible vocal skills to the band, as does Jimmy Tawater and 3-time Bass Player of the Year Jim Rhodes. Former Cameo and Oak Ridge Boys drummer Johnny Smith keeps the beat, along with Chattanooga Music Hall of Famer Tommy Lifsey on percussion. Throw in one of Chattanooga’s finest lead guitar players – John Cady, and bazinga – you have a big time band. But, let us not forget the keys. How about Chattanooga’s 2011 Keyboardist of the Year Barry Wilde? That works. Look for some oldies, some new songs, Santana, Adele, Here Come The Mummies and everything in between.

This Saturday night at Ringgold Acoustic Café features the River City Showcase Band, following opener and local favorite Queen B and the Well Strung Band. The music starts at 8 p.m. The Acoustic Café is located up behind the Cracker Barrel right off Exit 348 in Ringgold, just 10 minutes from East Ridge. The address is 61 RBC Drive, and the phone is 706-965-2065. This is a “don’t miss” show.

For local music info, try www.chattanoogaentertainers.com or www.chattanooganightscope.com. They both have great local music info and schedules. For local info on Country music, try Jim Boles’ site www.chattacountry.ning.com.

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or catch him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davrik2000 .

Bob Payne
- Photo2 by Queen B