Bob Payne
I really am a blues music fan, but we don’t have a whole lot of blues bands in Chattanooga. However many we have, we just got one more, and it was none too soon for me. The Hook-up is loose and out playing some fine blues in Chattanooga. Yee-haw, boys and girls – this band is a hum-dinger.
Let’s dig a bit deeper into this band. We’ll start with the man that keeps the beat, drummer Ron Gerber. Not only is he a good drummer, but he can sing the blues, too. My sources say these guys not only play the blues, but they are true blues music aficionados. That’s what I’m talking about. Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Delbert McClinton, Janice Joplin, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray, and all the greats.
Chris Moffat, another blues nut, picks a 20-year old Les Paul Special like he stole it. I have never been a big Gibson fan, but I am now. Clean and precise, this guy shows his stuff, but doesn’t go into long riffs and breaks that guys like and the girls often hate. He hits his marks, my friends.
Now here is where things get weird. Shani Hedden offers up her vocals for this band. You may know of Shani, as she played the lead role in the musical, Always…Patsy Cline. Believe me, Shani can sing the blues, too. And to top it off, they have Kenny Palmer playing bass guitar. Let me tell you about Kenny. He is the best bass player I have ever seen and heard. Almost every one he has ever played with says the same thing. Combine his talents with the other three, and you have the making of some fine blues. You can meet them and see their schedule at this place. You can also see them live tonight at Fox Cay at Island Cove Marina on Highway 58.
You have about a week to buy, rent, steal or borrow a boat for one of my most favorite events, Aquapalooza 2009. It will be held on July 18, right on Chickamauga Lake. It’s a party on the lake, with Bud Lightning playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the floating stage right in the middle of Lake Chickamauga. For more info and to register for the free event, try this right here.
We went to Ronnie Dodd’s firearm course this week, too. This is an excellent course, taught by a really good teacher with tons of experience. I highly recommend it, whether you intend to get a carry permit or not. However, the only music you will here there is on the firing range.
Bob’s Pick-o-the week is tonight at Island Cove Marina in the Fox Cay Restaurant. You can hear some fine blues with the Hook-up.
I highly recommend Black Cat Moon for my Pick-o-the-weekend. They are playing at The Tin Can on Saturday Night. (Note – it’s Tin Can, not Tin Cup!) For those that are first time readers, this band has one of the finest female singers in Chattanooga. You can also catch them on Friday at Hot Spot Lounge in Dalton.
Live! In Chattanooga
Thursday, July 9
Fox Cay at Island Cove – The Hook-up * Bob’s Pick-o-the-week
Rhythm & Brews – David Wilcox
The Palms At Hamilton – Throttle Bottom
Buds – Channing Wilson
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Mudpie – Megan Howard, Gabriel Newell
JJ’s Bohemia – Protomen, Taxicab Racers, Dignan
Friday, July 10
Nightfall – Joint Effort Band, Dan Baird & Homemade Sin
Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Bounty Hunter
JJ’s Bohemia – Angel Snow, Butch Ross, North American Royalty, Korby Lenker
Rio Picante - BaaddMojo
T-Bones – Amber Fults Band
Buds – The Beaters
Rhythm & Brews – Drivin’ and Cryin’
Midtown Music Hall – Sparkz
Market Street Tavern – Bluegrass Pharaohs, with Ben Pedigo
Blue Orleans Creole Rest on Amnicola – Booker Scruggs Ensemble
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Bart’s Lakeshore – Chad Yates
Ziggy’s – 40 oz Folklore, The Loose Screws, Apathy Ensues
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
Tremont Tavern – KC & Wes
Blues Train Café Dalton – Undercover Blues Band
The Palms At Hamilton – Tim Lewis
Hot Spot Dalton – Black Cat Moon
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Blue Orleans Downtown – David Anthony Blues
Club Fathom – The Highway Drifters, Pictures Of Lenny, Elijah James
Saturday, July 11
Ziggy’s – Mental Restraint, Second Hand Trio, Jenna’s Side
JJ’s Bohemia – The Bohannons, High Plains Drifter, Alcohol Stunt Band
Bart’s Lakeshore – Chad Yates
Tin Can (Former Brass Register) – Black Cat Moon * Bob’s pick-o-the-weekend
T-Bones – Joint Effort Band
Blues Train Café Dalton – Liz Melendez
Buds – Jeremy Leslie
Spectaters – Bounty Hunter
Rhythm & Brews – The Breakfast Club
Top Of The Dock – Mike & Rhonda
Dalton Depot – Mudville Mafia
Tremont Tavern – Tim Cofield
Market Street Tavern – Tone Harm performs Michael Jackson
Midtown Music Hall – Eulogy (Tool Tribute), with Turncoat Conspiracy
Hot Spot Dalton – Booger Holler
Chattanooga Choo-Choo – Jukebox Junction Theater Live Shows
Mudpie – Open Mic
Club Fathom – Between Two Seas, Rookies At Best, Always In August, Beyond Bethel
Sunday, July 12
The Chattanooga Market – On stage: Jennifer Brantley, White Bay Freddie
Barking Dogs Theater – Verlon Thompson
Monday, July 13
Market Street Tavern – Old Time Music Jam (Bring your instrument)
Rhythm & Brews – Monday Night Big Band
Tuesday, July 14
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
JJ’s Bohemia – Open Mic
Wednesday, July 15
Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
The Palms At Hamilton – 2NFro
Rhythm & Brews – Slim Pickins
Buds – Chris & Reece
Bonefish – Mike Harris
Dalton Depot – Tommy Davis
JJ’s Bohemia – Open Mic with Matt Bohannon
Rhythm & Brews – Mindy Smith, with Butch Ross
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla and Little Rickee
To have your venue’s live event listed, or for comments, just email us at davrik@aol.com