After a huge Thursday night with the Little River Band, Hunter Hayes, and Yacht Rock Revue, one would almost expect a bit of a letdown for tonight. But fear not my little pretty, tonight will be a big night on many fronts.

Cole Swindell, the recently crowned ACM New Artist of the Year, not only is selling records, but he writes them, too. And songwriting has proven to be something he does quite well. Not only did he write his own breakout hit in 2013, he has written for Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Florida-Georgia Line. Look for Cole Swindell on the Coke Stage at 6:30 p.m. I give it 4 cowboy boots and 3 Daisy Dukes as a rating.

After Cole Swindell, everyone will run down to the Bud Light Stage to see Molly Hatchet. The Jacksonville, Florida based Southern Rock band, formed in 1975, starts at 8:00 p.m. on the Bud Light Stage. Bring ear protection.

After Molly Hatchet, everyone will scurry back in place to the Coke Stage to see another Southern rocker, Gregg Allman. With the Allman Brothers retiring last year, Gregg is now focusing on his own band’s projects. Another of the performers in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Riverbend’s roster this year, I look for Gregg to joined by some special guests.

Here is a neat tidbit – Jaimoe’s Jazz Band appears on the Bud Light Stage at 6:00 p.m. What is significant about that, you ask? Well, he’s a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. See a connection here? Watch for Gregg to join his band mate on the Bud stage or for Jaimoe to join Gregg on Coke.

Want more tidbits? Of course you do. Former Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson is appearing on the Unum Stage at 8:00 p.m. Will he end up down on the Coke Stage with Gregg, too?

For more of the Riverbend schedule, go to http://www.riverbendfestival.com/2015-schedule .

Last night, people came out in droves to see the Little River Band. I was amazed how many songs I heard that were hits of theirs that I forgot about. Great show. One of my picks, Yacht Rock Revue killed it at the Bud Light Stage with a gigantic crowd of dancing feet and smiling people. Suzy Bogguss sounded wonderful, as did The Suffers. The one that surprised me was Hunter Hayes. The young Country phenomenon gave what I would call an excellent rock performance. He really is quite the entertainer. I also had a chance to meet him and his dog early in the day, and I must say that he is a very nice young man. All in all, I give the night 67 points on a scale of 73.

For everything you need to know about Riverbend, check out my Riverbend Survival Kit at http://chattanoogan.com/2015/6/3/301692/Chattanoogas-Live-Music-Scene-.aspx .

See you there!

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/davrik2000.