Albert Cummings
The Nightfall Concert Series, produced by Chattanooga Presents, continues its 31st season of free Friday night concerts this Friday, at Miller Plaza with a headline performance by renowned blues artist Albert Cummings and his band at 8 p.m. The local opener will be Mark “Porkchop” Holder beginning at 7p.m.
Inspired by his idol, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Cummings formed his first blues band in his late twenties, later earning the opportunity to play with Double Trouble, Vaughn's rhythm section.
So taken with Albert's fire and passion were bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton that they volunteered to play on and produce his solo debut recording, 2003’s self-released From the Heart. Recorded in Austin, Texas, it featured Mr. Cummings fronting Double Trouble (including Reese Winans) in their first recording project since Stevie Ray’s passing.
Mr. Cummings’ soulful and explosive approach to blues and rock caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, which signed him to a multi-album deal beginning in 2004. According to Guitar Edge Magazine, “Cummings effortlessly shifts from chimney subdued stylings to raucous roadhouse raunch to soaring yet stinging lead lines, driving his audience to frenzy in all the right places.”
Local bluesman Mark “Porkchop” Holder will open at 7 p.m. A slide guitarist with a passion for the blues and the hard-hitting sound of a rocker, Holder first made his name as a member of the raw and rollicking punk-blues trio the Black Diamond Heavies. After striking out to travel the country and across the globe as a one-man band for several years, Holder returned to his hometown of Chattanooga to focus on his health and getting a fresh start. In 2016, he began gigging locally with a new backing band he called MPH, featuring Travis Kilgore on bass and backing vocals and Doug Bales on drums. Holder wasted no time taking the band into the studio, and in February 2017 he released his first solo album, Let It Slide.
Food trucks and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available at Nightfall. No outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought in to Nightfall, therefore coolers are not allowed.
Nightfall, recently named as “Downtown Chattanooga’s Favorite Event” in a survey by River City Company, has been the community’s signature summertime program for the past 30 years. Known for its family-friendly environment as well as being recognized nationally for the quality of its musical programming, Nightfall has an average attendance of between 2,500-3,000 each night. Each Friday through August 31, Nightfall will showcase a broad spectrum of musical genres featuring a local band at 7pm, followed by a headline show by a national artist at 8pm, many of whom are performing for the first time in our city.
Nightfall is made possible this year thanks to sponsorships from Shock Top, Fletcher Bright Realty, Kelly Subaru, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Warehouse Row, Southern Honda Powersports, Purposity, Frothy Monkey, Pure Southern and Chattanooga Whiskey, Waitre and Gold’s Gym along with media support from NPR/Music 88.1 and ChattanoogaNow.
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.