Bob Payne
The stage has a new roof. Most of the chickens in the world are quietly gathered up for their eventual destination on a stick as dinner for thousands of festivalgoers. Refrigerator sized speakers are in place and have been tested and re-tested. Musicians are pretending not to be nervous about their upcoming performances, but have checked and rechecked strings, tuning, and set lists. That’s right folks – it’s Riverbend time!
Kicking off today at the Hunter Museum, Taj Weeks & Adowa take the stage at 2 p.m. for Bend Unplugged. Shortly after that, at Hennen’s Restaurant, Hillman-Petersen will talk with patrons and sign autographs at 4 p.m. On the Riverbend site, local reggae favorites Milele Roots take the stage for a special 2-½ hour show on the Bud Light stage. This should be a very special show, with the full band and maybe even a few extras.
Following the show by Milele Roots, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals take the Bud Light stage. This is one of those don’t miss shows and should be one they will talk about for a long time. The Bud Light stage is in the parking lot, under the Olgiati Bridge. (Ok, for those that don’t know – that’s the freeway bridge.)
Here is another don’t-miss show: Jimmy Tawater returns to Riverbend after too many years away. His band follows Too Far Gone South, which opens the Tennessee Lottery stage at 5:30. Jimmy and his band take the stage at 6:45. I can guarantee one thing – Jimmy Tawater will bring a great band and will be entertaining beyond belief. I may have looked forward to this performance more than any other act announced for Riverbend this year.
Up on the Unum Stage, by the Hunter Museum, the line-up for the night is stellar. Local singer/songwriter Gabriel Newell opens the stage at 6:30. At 8 p.m., Hillman-Petersen takes over. Chris Hillman is a founding member of the Byrds, along with Roger McGuinn and David Crosby. After their show, another one I plan to see is Crazy Face – a Van Morrison tribute band. I happen to know a couple of the band members, and these guys are real pros. Look for a great show up top on the Unum Stage. Personally, I think Van Morrison should call his band a Crazy Face tribute band.
The Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage is the really cool one under the bridge, just a couple hundred feet down the hill from the Unum Stage. The best way to find it is to look for Riverbend Beach and the beautiful sand sculptures at TCVU’s Riverbend display. They have a very nice air conditioned office there, too – and visitors are welcome! If you open a new account with a million dollars, they will probably give you one of the sand sculptures when Riverbend is over. All you have to do is figure out how to get it home.
Playing on the TVCU stage, Elijah James opens at 6:15, followed by Spatial Effects at 7:45 p.m. Taj Weeks & Adowa headline the stage, starting at 9:15 p.m.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Sheryl Crow will be on the Coke Stage at 9:30 p.m. Rumored to be bringing a special, unnamed guest with her, you can bet there will be a huge crowd when she takes the stage. No, it won't be Kid Rock - He is appearing in Nashville tonight. Personally, I think she is just closing up for Jimmy Tawater, appearing right across the “Green” from the Coke stage earlier.
As you wander through the festival grounds, be sure and check out the Marketplace. It is located on Riverfront Parkway, between the main entrance and the Unum Stage. Merchants have all sorts of things available in the marketplace, and you can even get your fortune told.
Now, I need a favor! If you decide to visit Thibodeaux’s Chicken-On-A-Stick, right next to the Bud Light Stage in the red concession trailer, please thank them for coming to Riverbend this year. Thousands have enjoyed their products for years at Riverbend, but Mike Thibodeaux passed away last year, right after Riverbend. His wife decided to give it a try again this year and came back for 2010. Let’s all let her know how happy we are to see them back. When you order, just say thank you for returning the Chattanooga. She is truly a courageous lady.
So, it’s off to Findley Stadium I go. Findley Stadium, you say? Yes…I can park there, ride the bus for a buck, and be inside the site, stuffing a fried Snickers down my gullet, before you can ride around and find a parking space a few blocks from the site. If you are thirsty and out of tokens, stop by one of the First Aid stations and enjoy some water, on the house! Want a free ride downtown during the festival? Get all crunked up and cause a ruckus. Our friendly and professional police officers will give you a ride. Riverbend wants everyone to have a good time, but they don’t tolerate idiots. Also, be sure and remind grandma and grandpa to bring their ID’s if they want to have a cold beer. No ID, no alcohol. And, contrary to the sign posted at Riverbend, no waistband is necessary to purchase alcohol. A wristband is required, however.
If you missed yesterday’s Riverbend Survival Kit, you can view it by clicking here.
See you there!
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com