Theodis Ealey
Sunday night used to be one of the slower nights at Riverbend, but that changed forever this year, with Merle Haggard, Sam Hunt, and Leon Russell combining to set new records. A monster-sized crowd flooded the riverfront last night to see 2 legends and an up and coming Country star.
I thought Leon Russell deserved an A+ rating. Leon rattled off song after song, sounded great, and played great. One of the most respected musicians in the world, Leon was all business. When a person of Leon’s stature finishes playing, you find yourself wishing the entire crowd would stand and pay their respects to a man and his career.
Immediately following Leon, up and coming Country star Sam Hunt set all new attendance records at the Bud Light Stage. Thousands of young ladies in cowboy boots came to cheer on their newest heartthrob. The rising star hails from near Chattanooga, in Cedartown, GA. And, to answer the question I posed yesterday as to whether Sam would head over to the Coke Stage to see Merle Haggard – yes, he did.
That brings us to Dr. Merle Haggard. My entire day was consumed by all things Merle. He had arrived late Saturday night (really early Sunday morning) I ran into his manager in the hotel lobby on Sunday morning and mentioned that we were looking forward to Merle and that he probably should be getting his crew together to load in and get ready for sound check. Nope. Frank informed me that they were all going Walmart. When I mentioned that we ran on a pretty tight schedule, he informed me that they did also and that day’s schedule included a trip to Walmart to buy two new tour buses. When I mentioned that I didn’t realize Walmart sold tour buses, he kind of laughed and said, “Well, they have to special order them.”
He said they would be back in a while and get started on somebody else. When he was informed that they might not get a sound check, he said they were overrated and after 50 years, they had a pretty good handle on things. Needless to say, Riverbend’s production team was quite freaked out. They got back late in the afternoon with their shiny new Prevost buses. Most entertainers lease their buses – Merle bought his. I think that means the 78 year-old singer is planning to continue touring and making music for a long time to come.
Merle took the stage at 9:30 p.m., with no sound check, and sounded wonderful. He usually has his son Noel open with the first 3 songs before he comes on, but Noel had a sore throat, so Merle took the wheel right off the bat. After one song, Merle made a very weird day dissipate into the night air and all was right with the universe.
Tonight is the Bessie Smith Strut, so the Riverbend site is closed. The Strut takes place on MLK Boulevard, and the cost is $10 for all who enter except for children aged 10 and under. There are two stages at the Strut and music plays on both stages simultaneously. The stage at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center will feature one of my personal favorites, Deacon Bluz. Dr. Clark White, AKA Deacon Bluz, brings in some seriously professional musicians to put on a great show, starting at 6 p.m.
Following Deacon, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials take the stage at 7:30 p.m. This Chicago-style bluesman has making people dance and stomp their feet for 30 years.
At 9 p.m., “The Stand Up In It Man”, Theodis Ealey takes the stage. Riverbend helps out with the music and stages at the Strut, but this one is handpicked by the Bessie Smith Center staff and they picked a winner.
The Champy’s Stage, once known as the Trestle Stage, is located down by Champy’s Fried Chicken restaurant and features 3 great acts in Davina & The Vagabonds, Jarekus Singleton, and DieDra. The action stats at 5:45 p.m.
Come down and plan to eat at the many local food vendors along MLK. Don’t bring your Riverbend tokens, just money. Bring a great attitude and a willingness to have fun and your night will be great.
For everything you need to know about Riverbend, check out my Riverbend Survival Kit at http://chattanoogan.com/2015/6/3/301692/Chattanoogas-Live-Music-Scene-.aspx .
If you’re looking for me, check out Davey Smith on Bud, The Unsatisfied up on TVFCU Stage, and then the one and only Merle Haggard on Coke.
See you there!
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/davrik2000