It's that time again, Riverbend opens on Friday, June 11th. At this time it looks as if I won't get to but a few nights due to my work schedule, but I hope it may change before then. This year's lineup is a pretty good one, but it lacks some star power on the Bud Light Stage in my opinion.
In no real order, here are my top picks for this year's festival. Charlie Daniels headlines on fireworks night after his recent mild stroke. Scott Holt, Kenny Neal, Otis Taylor, and Tab Benoit provide a strong blues lineup, with wunderkind Eric Steckel only at the Bessie Smith Strut. Arturo Sandoval is this year's jazz standout, who unfortunately is playing the same time as CDB, and jazz vocalist Janiva Magness has the voice of an angel. Uriah Heep and The Classic Rock Allstars are the only big name rock acts on the Bud Light Stage for the week. Alison Krauss and Union Station with Jerry Douglas and Dan Tyminski, as I think they are now officially known, may be the longest act name in history. I have grown to be a bigger fan than I would have ever thought. I saw them at Riverbend several years ago on a smaller stage and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Darius Rucker has gone country, and I wonder how much Hooty stuff he does now. Sheryl Crow has some good songs and she is quite fine to look at. Other good acts include Maia Sharp, The Whigs, Honey Island Swamp Band, Drivin' N Cryin', Yonrico Scott Band, and Gurufish. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are alright and she is easy on the eyes. One band I might have suggested a few years ago was Dan Baird and Original Sin, but after seeing them at Nightfall where they were a big disappointment I won't.
It is time for me to mount the soap box once again. Instead of just sitting around at the Coke Stage, get to the other stages and experience something you might not know about. You'll be glad you did. I know the price has gone up again, but Riverbend still remains a terrific value and one of the things that make Chattanooga a pretty good place to live.
Riverbend 2009 Photos