The North River Civic Center Sunset Concert Series continues Sept. 20 from 7-8 p.m. with the New Dismembered Tennesseans.
The concert series is held the third Friday of the month and is free to the public. The North River Civic Center is at 1009 Executive Dr., Suite 102 in Hixson. Call 870-8924 for more information.
Review for the New Dismembered Tennesseans:
Volumes could be written about the history of the Dismembered Tennesseans, the bluegrass band formed by famed east Tennessee fiddler and philanthropist Fletcher Bright with his school friends at Chattanooga’s McCallie High School in 1947. “’Singing from the heart through the nose’ is an apt description of our group,” says Ed “Doc” Cullis, an original member who is still picking with the group today.
One of the most influential bluegrass bands in the region, the Dismembered Tennesseans played, sang, and laughed their way across the country for more than 70 years and through numerous personnel changes until Fletcher’s passing on Christmas Day, 2017. To some, it seemed that the band had finally run its course, but fate had other plans.
In spring 2019, original member Doc Cullis (banjo) and long-time band alumni Laura Walker (bass and vocals) and Don Cassel (mandolin and vocals) formed the New Dismembered Tennesseans, welcoming three new members: Bobby Burns (guitar and vocals), Fletcher’s granddaughter, Eleanor Bright (clawhammer banjo, guitar and vocals) and Tom Morley (fiddle and vocals).
Together, the new lineup has infused the band with new energy and a new sense of purpose, with a repertoire that both honors Fletcher and the original band and sends the music headlong into the future.
Here is the remaining lineup:
Oct. 18 Trembling Troubadours
Nov. 15 Sweet Georgia Sound
Dec. 20 Chattanooga Community Orchestra
Jan. 17 Chattanooga Clarinet Choir
Feb. 28 Jericho Brass Band
March 20 Chattanooga Flute Choir
April 20 G-Three
May 15 River City Red Hots
June 19 Bill McCallie and the Incahoots Band