This year's adventure started under the bridge at the stage now sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Credit Union. The first act of the year is
Alabama native Russell Gulley and band playing the blues. The band consisted of Gulley on guitar and vocals, his brother on steel guitar and a
young blind guy named Mark Jones on another guitar and vocals. As Mr. Gulley mentioned, you don't expect blues from Sand Mountain. Their enjoyable
set included a tribute to blues legend Bo Diddley who passed away earlier in the week. From there we wandered on down to the hill for the
week's first headliner. The Black Crowes put on a pretty good show, but they did few songs I recognized and did not do an encore. The crowd was
very large and pointed up a reason I usually don't see acts on the Coke Stage. We sat about as far away from the stage as possible and as always
when that happens the distractions take away from the show. A lot of people who are that far from the stage are more interested in things other
than the music. Overall a decent but extremely hot night.
Another night of blazing hot weather. We started the night at the TVFCU Stage again to see an act that friend Wally had heard on the radio
earlier that day. Within the Eddy features a brother and sister who grew up in Chattanooga and now live in California. While their mostly punk music
was a disapointment to Wally and not really my cup of tea, they weren't too bad. Lead singer Christina Salerno seems to have a pretty good voice,
but her vocals were overwhelmed by the music, which was Wally's main complaint. It was on to the Bud Light Stage to see rock legend Mark Farner
of Grand Funk Railroad. In the highlight of the festival so far, Farner put on a high-energy show featuring songs both familiar and new to me. Farner,
backed by a bassist, drummer, and occasionally a keyboardist was all over the stage. His excellent guitar work was a foreshadowing of the theme
of this year's festival. After Mark Farner it was the long trek back up the hill to the Unum Stage. We didn't see a lot of Future Man and the Black Mozart
Ensemble with Jake Shimabukura, easily the longest named act of the year. I was simply worn out from working all weekend and had to be at work
at 6:00.
Sunday night began at the Unum Stage for blues guitarist and vocalist Liz Melendez. Another excellent show and great guitar playing. Even though I
shouldn't be, I'm always amazed when a woman is such a great guitarist. Backed by a bassist and drummer, she cranked out some killer blues and
ended the show with a cover of Jimi Hendrick's Voodoo Child that did him proud. From there it was on to the second Coke Stage act of the first
three nights. America joined the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra for another enjoyable show. They played their hits as well as a couple of new
songs, and threw in several witty comments along the way. One of the witticisms was that it was probably the highest that Gerry Beckley had played
That comment really hit home since my brother had commented that after a show he had attended in the '70s one of the band got busted when he recieved
a package of dope. Chattanoogans should always be grateful that we have a wonderful symphony at a time when cities across the country are
struggling to keep their's.
Following a couple of nights off, Wednesday started with one of the most anticipated acts of the festival, Joe Bonamassa, at the Bud Light Stage.
Even a shower that soaked me to the skin and three people who seemed to have little interest in the music standing in front of me and keeping me
from not only seeing the stage but usually the big screen as well couldn't ruin another great guitar driven show. There is good reason he is considered
one of the best blues guitarists alive. After Joe, it was the long climb back to the Unum Stage for David Bromberg. The show was delayed for about
15 minutes when the weather threatened again, and we debated whether to stick around. Fortunately we did stick around to see another excellent
show. The only problem was the show was shortened due to the delay. Backed by his quartet on some songs, the Angel Band on some, and solo on
three songs, he showed why he is considered a legend in the music business.
Thursday started at the Unum Stage for another highly anticipated act, Ana Popovic. The Serbian born, long-legged Popovic provided another show of guitar virtuosity. Her sultry vocals and tight band backed her guitar wizardry well. The only drawback was again the length of time she had to play. After Ana it was on to the Coke Stage to see the third headliner for the week, ZZ Top. After finally getting through the massive crowd, we settled in front of the Bud Light Stage for the show. Even though we couldn't see the stage, the sound was fine and we could see the big screen well and it made for a good show. For a three-man band, they really crank out the sound, and they put on a very enjoyable show. This show featured my biggest problem with Riverbend. I had to choose between ZZ Top and Paul Thorn, and since I've seen Paul before and may get the chance to again I choose ZZ, who I haven't seen and probably won't get another chance to see.
Friday the 13th, maybe I should stay at home. The shortest night of the festival for me, basically starts and ends at the Unum Stage. I did wander
down to the TVFCU Stage for a couple of numbers from local bluegrass mainstays The Dismembered Tenneseans. After some bellydancing, yes
bellydancing, it was time for Jason Ricci and New Blood. Ricci has a fine voice and plays a mean harmonica, and there was more great guitar playing
from Shawn Starsky. Their mix of blues and rock kept a small but appreciative crowd entertained for nearly an hour and a half. I would have really
liked to stayed and seen Blues Nation at 11:00, but the music choices available between were not really bareable.
Well, all good things must come to an end. The final night for this year started at the Bud Light Stage for Galactic. They were running really late
from the published starting time and so we heard some of the Chattanooga Monday Night Big Band. They had several people playing solos who
really should never play alone. Galactic finally went on about an hour late and the show started very well. They are definitely excellent musicians and
the guy playing sax is extremely talented. After about three songs, the show went from good to terrible. They were joined by rappers Chali 2na
(yeah, a guy named after a cartoon character from commercials) and some other guy who's name I can't remember from Jurasic 5. Not only was it
rap, but it didn't even seem to be good rap and the last song was full of profanity for profanity's sake. They rhymed all kinds of stupid things that
seemed out of place and you couldn't even understand the words. It is a shame that talented musicians have to rely on that kind of crap to sell
records and tickets. After Galactic and friends, it was time for the final headliner, Bachman Cummings Band. That made four main stage acts I
saw for this year, and that is a record number since they started offering alternatives to the headliner. Both guys no longer have the voices they
once did, and they did a less than stellar rendition of American Woman to start. But the show got better as it went along and they played all the hits
from The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive plus a few classics from an album they recorded last year. They didn't do Burton Cummings
one hit, Stand Tall, and we decided it was because Burton just doesn't the voice for it any more. After they finished another stellar fireworks show
ended yet another fun, largely enjoyable festival.
I wasn't sure about the new stage configuration, but moving the Bud Light Stage turned out to be a good thing. There was still room for the acts
on that stage and it provided another place to see and hear the Coke Stage acts. I didn't see any acts at the TVA Showcase Stage so I'm really
not sure how it fared, but its location means that there can be no acts on during the headliners, which means fewer overall acts. Moving the children's
stage to the Olgati area was good since it really decreases the chance of hearing a ten-year-old butcher a favorite song. I also avoided hearing
any karaoke from any vendor tents this year, another outstanding developement. I haven't seen so many Coke Stage acts since they started having
other acts play during the same time. My biggest problem with the Coke Stage is that to get a good seat to see and hear the stage you have to either
pay extra or get there and set up really early. I'm not willing to do either, so I'm usually stuck where people are more interested in talking than the music.
As usual, many great acts were only seen by small crowds since so many are unwilling to explore the side stages. Acts like Ana Popovic, Jason
Ricci, David Bromberg, and Liz Melendez played to way too few people. And finally, my biggest complaint for this year. There was no big-name Jazz
act in the lineup this year. No Karl Denson, Al DiMeola, Acoustic Alchemy, or Spyra Gyra to be found. I always hear so much bitching about Riverbend
every year. The headliners aren't current big names, there's too much country, it is too crowded, the price keeps going up, etc. We are so fortunate
to have this great festival that is thriving while others lose theirs. If you want to see bigger names, go to Bonneroo or somewhere else where you
can pay three or four times as much. You can't see many of the acts that play Riverbend for the price you pay. It is a great bargain and is truly worth
the price and the crowds.