Chattanooga's Revelry Room hosted a Thursday night concert featuring Blues Traveler, with opening act Ripe. Doors opened at 8 p.m. with a 9 p.m. start.
Blues Traveler is often recognized by their distinctive harmonica riffs, which helped them gain popularity and uniqueness in the early 90s. Frontman John Popper is the man responsible for those signature riffs and for the band's distinctive vocals.
While it feels like jam bands came and went from the popular music scene, the music and enthusiasm is still alive and well today.
If you were able to go to the Revelry Room Thursday night and take in the show you already know that.
Blues Traveler first garnered national attention on college radio stations with the release of "But Anyway" in 1990. The Late Show with David Letterman soon after brought the group into the living rooms of America. Letterman has identified Blues Traveler as his favorite band and they appeared on the show more than any other musical guest.
Ripe opened the Revelry Room show with a 40-minute set comprising of funk, soul, rock and a touch of reggae. The Boston-based group got the crowd jumping from the start.
The year 2016 has been tumultuous for Blues Traveler and their fans. Earlier this year the band was forced to postpone and cancel several shows due to an emergency spinal surgery for John Popper. Thankfully the surgery went well as the band is back on the road pleasing their fans.
The entire Revelry Room sang along to all the hits and roared for all the various instrumental solos throughout the night. Each member of the group exhibited his unique skills with their respective instruments. The night even included some crowd interaction through a mean keytar solo.
Blues Traveler will wrap up 2016 with a show in Charleston, South Carolina on Monday. They'll be back on the road next year on the festival scene.