Bob Payne
photo by Cindy Thomas
With great 79 degree days and cool nights, this weekend promises to be a musical delight here in the Scenic City. This is the time of the year when one can really enjoy all that Chattanooga has to offer in live music. Take Saturday and Sunday, for instance.
This weekend at the Hamilton County Fair, you can see 24 live acts perform, including Grammy winners Russell Smith & The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Jimmy Tawater & The Scenic City Showcase, Dalton Roberts, Remembering January, and Amber Fults. Twenty-four acts, I said. The beautiful thing about the fair is that all 24 acts perform from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., so you can still go out and see your favorite band at night in one of Chattanooga’s music venues. For more info on the Fair, just click http://www.hamiltontn.gov/fair/entertainment/default.aspx.
Want to go out at night and have a big time, too? Well here are just a few places you can go and hear some great music. Pick a couple out and support local music and local music venues.
JJ’S Bohemia
Friday night, JJ’s has a great line-up with the Future Birds, Bohannons and Belle Adair. The fun just keeps on coming for Saturday night, when Royal Bangs, Crass Mammoth, and ElkMilk perform. Learn more at http://www.jjsbohemia.com.
Bud’s Sportsbar
Always a fun place with great food and service, Bud’s brings 80’s rocker favorites Aunt Betty back to town on both Friday & Saturday nights. Check out their menu and events at http://budssportsbar.com.
Sugar’s BBQ Downtown
Sugar’s has live music almost every night, but the weekends really cook at 5th & Broad Street. This weekend, Soul Survivor plays Friday night with guitar wizard Johnny Campbell. Saturday night finds Skin Deep playing their great groove from 9 p.m. until midnight. On Sunday, catch the Bluegrass Pharaohs at 6 p.m.
Check it out at http://www.sugarschattanooga.com/chattanooga-nightlife.
Track 29
It may be quiet at Track 29 this Friday & Saturday, but that is just to get ready for Sunday and the premier event of the AVA community filmmaking project called Capture. Not only will they be announcing the winners of the Capture project best film awards, there will be live music by Summer Dregs, Strung Like A Horse, and Creative Underground. Learn more by clicking http://track29.co/event/capture-premiere-screening-awards-night.
Acoustic Café - Ringgold
After going to the Fair on Saturday and Sunday, if you feel like you need to go to Ringgold to soak up some more fun, try the Acoustic Café. They have Roughwork on Friday and the Brody Johnson Band on Saturday. For their complete schedule just click http://www.ringgoldacoustic.com/calendar%20September%202013.htm.
Charles & Myrtles Coffee House
One of the very best places to hear live music in Chattanooga is Charles & Myrtles Coffee House. Saturday night they have John Flynn and you can learn more by clicking http://www.christunity.org/events.09.13.html.
Barking Legs Theater
For studio quality sound and a great listening room, go to Barking Legs Theater on Dodds Avenue for great music. They have lots going on and it really is a cool place. Learn more here - http://barkinglegs.org/events.
Chattanooga Market
If you can’t make it to the Fair on Sunday to see the Amazing Rhythm Aces, then by all means go by the Chattanooga Market and have some Chili and enjoy some music. Bedhed & Blondy play on the stage, as well as Bucktown Kickback. Or, go to the Chattanooga Market and then haul it out to the Hamilton County Fair and catch the last couple acts around 3 p.m. Learn more about the Chattanooga Market by clicking http://chattanoogamarket.com/events.
El Meson Northgate
All over town, one can find the words “For a good time, go see Tim Lewis”. Well, you can find him entertaining at El Meson in Hixson on Friday & Saturday nights. And yes, it will be a good time!
LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant
Speaking of Mexican food, Hixson, and good entertainment, Jerry Fordham will be at LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant on Friday night. Once again, I give my personal guarantee that you will have a good time.
These are just a few of the samplings of local music this weekend. For more 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.