The Nightfall Concert Series continues this Friday with the high-energy string band music of headliner Spirit Family Reunion at 8 p.m., preceded by local opener Big Kitty at 7 p.m.
Review of Spirit Family Reunion
As their name suggests, Spirit Family Reunion reflects the raw, inspiring emotions of gospel, although this New York string band is grounded in the secular world of bluegrass, old-time, folk and even rock music. The mostly-acoustic music of Spirit Family Reunion has an instantly recognizable sound, due in part to Maggie Carson’s lead banjo.
She plays with a unique combination of old-time music frailing and rock guitar lead work that suggests Keith Richards playing bluegrass.
After winning rabid fans from playing up and down the East Coast, they were invited to play at the Newport Folk Festival in 2012. “That was a real turning point,” Ms. Carson says. “They took a risk on us. They usually give a couple of bands nobody’s heard of a chance to play in front of a big audience. After that, we got a record deal and music became a full-time job.” Spirit Family Reunion has self-produced and self-released two full-length albums ("No Separation" 2012 and "Hands Together" 2015) as well as multiple songbooks and other collections of recordings.
Opening for Spirit Family Reunion at 7 p.m. is Big Kitty, the Chattanooga folk/rockers, who have been up to big things this past year. In August, the band released a limited pressing 7” via Chattanooga’s own Young Monster Records, featuring the single “Waterfall of Love” to be followed by their debut full-length LP, “Florence.” Clark Williams, the personae of Big Kitty, is a maverick songwriter, performer, producer, outlaw, independent businessman and self-described “all-around good citizen.”
"Presented and produced by Chattanooga Presents, Nightfall is a 19-week free outdoor concert series is held every Friday at Miller Plaza and features headline performances by a broad spectrum of music performed by superior national and international artists," officials said.
Food trucks and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought in to Nightfall.
Officials said, "This free family-friendly concert series is made possible this year thanks to our corporate sponsors. Support comes from Shock Top, Fletcher Bright Company, Kelly Cars, EPB Fiber Optics, Sugarlands Distilling Co., ChattanoogaNow. River City Company, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Big River Grille, Warehouse Row, Southern Honda Powersports, and UTC, with media support from WDEF News 12 and NPR/Music 88.1."
For more information on this free community concert series, call 423-265-0771 or visit
NightfallChattanooga.com for a complete, interactive website that includes music samples by each headliner, as well as other important information for first-time attendees.