Kane Brown At Riverbend Sunday
photo by Mark A. Herndon
Well, Kane Brown came home – in a very big way! Playing to thousands at the Bud Light Stage, Kane Brown fired up a hometown crowd as well as anyone has ever done at that stage. He’s a nice young man, too. I had the pleasure of meeting him Sunday morning, as he was just sitting in a golf cart waiting on his tour bus to arrive. He was very humble. I told him we expected thousands to be at his show and he responded by saying that it was Chris Young that everyone was coming to see. I told him that Kane Brown would be the star on that night. He kind of blushed a bit, but it turned out that I was right – his star shined very brightly.
Tonight is the annual Bessie Smith Strut. It isn’t really a Riverbend event, but they help out down there with some music, sound, and stages. Be at the Bessie Smith Hall stage by 5:30 to catch Austin’s Peterson Brothers Band, led by a couple of young men that will be the future of the blues. They are followed at 7:00 p.m. by Jarekus Singleton. Jarekus was scheduled to play at last year’s Strut, but was rained out. Our stage managers said he was such a good guy and so professional, they decided to bring him back. Latimore tops off the evening at 9:00 p.m.
On the “Trestle Stage”, located down past Champy’s near the train trestle overpass, Peggy Ratusz & Daddy Long Legs opens at 6:00 p.m., followed by Mr. Sipp at 7:30 p.m.
Every single act this year is excellent and makes for some hard choices to decide where to be and when. My suggestion is that you “strut” MLK Blvd and see them all.
The Strut costs $10 per person and Riverbend tokens are not accepted there. Bring some cash and try the great food .
Don’t forget to scan your wristband with your barcode reader on your cell-phone. That will automatically register you to win a new $19,000 camper from Dunlap RV.
Check back here everyday, as the Chattanoogan.com is your go-to source for all things Riverbend. Watch for our photos, too. Our photographers are among the best in the business, and include the celebrated Mark A. Herndon.
And one more thing – thanks for taking the time to read my column. It is appreciated.
Bob Payne is the entertainment editor for the Chattanoogan.com and talent/production assistant at Friends Of The Festival. Email Bob Payne at davrik@aol.com or www.facebook.com/davrik2000.