The 2014 Nightfall free concert series continues its schedule of summer musical programming Friday at Miller Plaza with a headline show by Function at 8 p.m. Opening at 7 p.m. will be Roger Alan Wade with Sparkle Motion. Nightfall is hosted each Friday at Miller Plaza through Aug. 29.
Function were the winners of this year’s Road to Nightfall competition, which took place in at Rhythm & Brews earlier this year, and was presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.
Review for Function:
Complete with a horn section, and fronted by the powerful vocals of Brittany Ammons, Function have been getting people out of their seats and dancing throughout Chattanooga for years. Other members of this powerhouse group include Darren Self, Justin McBath, Joshua Allen and Hunter White. This is the second time Hunter White has played drums with the winner of Road to Nightfall, which also makes him the only musician in Chattanooga to make it to the RTN finals every year. With a great blend of soul, jazz, funk and R&B, the band touts that they “specialize in bringin' the noise that keeps people smilin' and dancin'.” As Darren Self, the band’s singer and guitarist states, “As a group we want to produce songs with substance and a positive message. On top of that, we want to hook the crowd, get them moving, and include them in something that is so much bigger than just a concert. Function is about engaging people and touching their hearts, so they do not just hear the music....they experience it.”
Review for Roger Alan Wade and Sparkle Motion:
Opening the Nightfall show at 7 p.m. is Roger Alan Wade with Sparkle Motion. If you live in Chattanooga, there’s a good chance you know Wade, a singer-songwriter who’s written songs for folks like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Hank Williams, Jr. For his Nightfall performance, RAW will be joined by his grandson, Roland Dixon and band mates Jacob Covell, Noah Scott Boling, Austin Robinson and Emily Dixon.
Presented and produced by Chattanooga Presents, Nightfall brings an eclectic mix of music to downtown Chattanooga. Nightfall showcases Chattanooga’s local arts community by featuring Chattanooga musicians for each opening act, followed by headline performances by national and international talent. Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
For more information on the Nightfall Series, call 265-0771 or visit NightfallChattanooga.com for a complete, interactive website that includes music samples by each headliner, as well as other information for first-time attendees.