In 2011, Chattanooga Presents began a new program called McKay’s Road to Nightfall, which gave the opportunity to one local band to play in front of thousands of people as a headliner. The WTM Blues Band won the competition the first year and last year, locals Strung Like A Horse took the 2012 prize home.
This past Friday and Saturday, 13 bands competed at Rhythm & Brews to move on to the final round. Friday night’s winner, Function, is a five-piece soul/funk band lead by the vocals of Brittany Ammons. Saturday’s winner, Smooth Dialects, have already developed a local following, which helped lead them on to the final round as well.
The competition continues Friday and Saturday with a final round taking place on March 15. Each night will have a $7 cover and will be open to ages 21 and up. During each evening of McKay’s Road to Nightfall, six to seven bands will perform a 20-minute set. The full schedule of bands competing is below.
Throughout the evening, attendees will vote on who they enjoyed the most, and then the winners of the four nights will all compete on the fifth night for a headlining spot at Nightfall. For the final competition, a panel of judges will be established to determine the final winner for the headlining act. In addition, all the bands that compete in the final round will be guaranteed a spot in the Nightfall series, either as the headliner or as an opening band on one of the evenings.
The McKay Road to Nightfall provides the opportunity for people in the Chattanooga market to be exposed to new local bands they may never have heard before, and offers a chance for the artists themselves to meet, network and help grow Chattanooga’s already burgeoning music scene.
Nightfall will continue to feature local bands as openers for each show during the season. Nightfall is a free, outdoor concert series held at Miller Plaza each Friday night from May 3–Aug. 30. Thanks to ArtsBuild for their sponsorship with Nightfall, going to support all the local, opening acts.
McKay’s Road to Nightfall Schedule
Friday
8:30 p.m. - Paul Hadfield & Tucker Hollow Band
9:05 p.m. - Soul Mechanic
9:40 p.m. - Ashley & The X's
10:05 p.m. - Slim Pickins
10:40 p.m. - Amber Fults & The Ambivalent Lovers
11:15 p.m. - Uncle Lightnin'
Saturday
8:30 p.m. - Leon G & The NuMac Band
9:05 p.m. - Birds With Fleas
9:40 p.m. - Jordan Hallquist & The Outfit
10:05 p.m. - Jennifer Hope & The F.N.G.'s
10:40 p.m. - Gabriel Newell & Muddy Soul
11:15 p.m. - Sinner of Attention