Chattanooga Live Music is gaining recognition throughout the region. The development has taken years from the late 60’s into the 70’s with those early pioneers (artists, musicians and bands) who lead the way and some of whom are still performing today.
The venues of the day included Castaways, the Go-Go Club, Playlate, Silver Dollar, Yesterdays, Station House and others. As a child of the 60’s, and a teenager in the 70’s, Chattanooga Live Music scene was shaping up.
Still today, I go see those pioneers such as Jimmy Tawater, Roger Alan Wade, Danny Shirley (before CR) The Beaters, Overland Express and, of course, James Rogers. The days when occasional national acts would drift into Chattanooga and find a date at the Memorial Auditorium or the Tivoli Theater was not very frequent then. Today, venues are populating the Chattanooga area … Theater halls, coffee shops, taverns, hotels, dining places and music halls. Chattanooga OnStage (Tivoli Theater & Memorial Auditorium) continues to increase the frequency and variety of entertainment to their stages.
In addition to the nightly entertainment at a number of local “live” stops in town, Chattanooga has five major festivals in the area including the increasing mega Riverbend Festival which almost doubled the main Coke Stage acts this year. Riverbend has grown over 32 years from five nights to nine nights of entertainment from five stages. The who’s who list of artists and musicians played at Riverbend is more than impressive to say the least. Riverbend 2015 starts June 5 with announcement of performers named often on website www.riverbendfestival.com and social media Facebook at www.facebook.com/rbfestival
After all these years ….. of all the entertainers passing within sight of Chattanooga …. like many Chattanoogans, I never saw Elvis. Sure I have bought his music from vinyl to digital, and stopping along the way of 8 tracks and cassettes. I have watched him on TV and the big screens. I remember his movies, comeback years, and later his concert era. I remember the day the radio announcer gave the world the news “Elvis is Dead” “The King is Gone.” The world stopped and mourn this proclaimed King of Rock n Roll. Elvis left on Aug. 16, 1977.
In 2014, late December it was announced the King was coming to Chattanooga … I said Really, was the exact words I told someone. I never thought anyone could pull off an impersonation to match the real person … much less The King of Rock or the King of Pop as far as that conversation went with my friend…. Besides he’s been gone almost 38 years…. Would you say I was skeptical??
However, in late January, my (cell) phone rang. It was usually an email more so than phone call, but sometimes both. That day Melissa called asking me to assist the team “Elvis Lives”. I am glad to support Chattanooga Live Music, Chattanooga OnStage and contribute to my favorite local media Chattanoogan.com. I said sure. I then asked what were my limitations? She said, they want you to photograph the event and the meet and greet after the performance. What a great opportunity being ask to contribute to this team, I am all in, I said. I received a second call the day before production from Barbara on the production team with schedule and briefing.
Chattanooga OnStage and Elvis Lives “The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event” provided the Jan. 30 event date. I arrived early at the event and received my onsite briefing and schedule. It was when I arrived, how much I learned of the event. Also, it is important to mention this is the only Elvis tribute event sanctioned and authorized by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Quickly, I was at Wow. The remarkable resemblance of each gentlemen portraying Elvis at various stages of his career, support singers, dancers, musicians and production management was all in the moment. I dropped my camera many times to watch and close my eyes and listen to a remarkable and flawless performers bring back the memories of Elvis. Elvis Lives!
The Early Years … chronically began the event as Dean Z portrayed Elvis in the Early Years & The Comeback Special. Blue Suede Shoes was a hit with the full house.
The Movie Years … Jay Dupuis performed by highlighting those memorable years of Elvis starring in movies such a Blue Hawaii. A flawless favorite song performed was “Crying in the Chapel”. The segment of the performance also included a role of Ann Margret performed perfectly by Lori R Ocampo.
The Concert Years .. performed by Bill Cherry, who matched the songs with the passion of Elvis’s spirit and soul. Closing out the event with Glory, Glory Hallelujah… Bill Cherry
The photo captured moments I saw as in my heart the music lives on…. In our memories the King is not forgotten….. Elvis Lives!
Elvis Lives is an unforgettable multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis' life. His iconic style, embraced by many ...of today's artists, continues to intrigue audiences of all generations. Featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises' worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as a tribute to Ann-Margret, audiences can't help falling in love with this phenomenal theatrical concert experience.
Its website is http://www.elvislivestour.com/. The tour is traveling throughout the US and abroad sharing the music and memories of the Rock Icon. Elvis Lives was the most entertaining performance(s) I have seen since working with the Eagles in Charlotte a year ago.
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Mark A Herndon, certified professional geologist and professional photographer grew up in Chattanooga area, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He is an entertainment and Chattanooga cityscape/event photographer affiliated with Chattanoogan.com and contributor to magazines, venues and various festivals including Friends of the Festival events. Email him at MAHerndon@ChattanoogaLiveMusic.com