From the Publisher’s Notebook
mare?
Well, I’ll close for now before it gets too deep.
Have you noticed how hard it is to get along with someone Paul E. Burke Sr. as you both get older? You Publisher both think you are right when you really are wrong.
Last month’s issue was a true test of my ingenuity. I had to put my part together from Florida.
Saturday nights—or whenever it’s called for. I might be tempted to make them an offer to run it myself. We may have to ban cars in cerI had to be in Florida for a tain parts of downtown and legal matter. use skateboards. It was not a pleasant time — and the weeks since then have been a little rough also —well, thanks to my partner Dave, we got the March issue out. Enough about that… Question— where are they going to park?
What happened to reporters reporting news? It seems all “news” reporters have an agenda. I used to watch the news on TV or listen to it on the radio to find out breaking news. Now it’s all personal politics and personal attacks on other people that don’t share the same viewpoint as the reporter. What happened to “fair and balanced”? If they’re not spouting off some off the wall propaganda they’re trying to get me to adopt a puppy or try a new recipe. If they only reported actual news they would take up less than five minutes on the air. And no, you don’t have to give me the weather four different times during your broadcast. There an app for that or so I’m told. I no longer need Paul to tell me over and over again it’s going to be like this.
All over downtown to south Chattanooga (not “Southside”) they are building, building, building. Hundreds of apartments and condos are going up everywhere. When it is all finished, where are they going to park? The city may have to start a free shuttle service from the outskirts to midtown. How long before UTC or those who run the stadium realizes how valuable the parking there is or what it’s worth? Hopefully they will run that parking themselves and not use the parking Nazis the city has now. This is not Don’t you hate it when a during, but on Friday and dream turns into a nightENIGMA
Across 1. They like close shaves 10. Met offering 15. Useless 16. Calculator symbol 17. Have lunch at the doctor’s office? 19. Makes a run for it 20. Soft mineral 21. Devotees 22. Eric’s color 25. Go back over 29. Adherent (suffix) 30. Sand hills 32. Pace 33. Mineral water containers 35. Bridge section 36. Beer bigot? 39. Gave great service? 40. Band member 41. Gaelic language 43. “Bad, Bad ___ Brown” 44. Sot’s symptoms, for short 47. Tyrant 49. Bear’s lair 50. “___ pin, pick it up...” 51. Track 53. Bowler’s milieu 54. Communal ashes? 60. Hayworth and Rudner 61. Written assurance 62. Ooze 63. Places at risk Down 1. Ms. Graf of tennis 2. Qantas animals 3. Aim 4. Scale units 5. Mocking laughs
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6. Actress Arden 7. Berne’s river 8. Make less bright 9. Vegas machine 10. Breakfast dish 11. Lends a hand 12. U-turn from WSW 13. Capek play 14. Beast of burden 18. Tarnish 22. Babe and Baby 23. Necessitate 24. Led down the garden path 26. Hi-fi parts 27. Petty quarrel 28. Term of endearment 30. Medic 31. Draconian 33. Quilt 34. “___ says...” 36. Field unit 37. Rings around the collar? 38. No vote 39. Care packages, e.g. 42. Husky-voiced 44. Wipe out 45. Rock 46. Give one’s assent 48. “___ the season... “ 50. David’s weapon 52. Theater box 53. Open ___ of worms 54. Poet’s preposition 55. Be social 56. Microwave oven measurement (abbr.) 57. Merriment 58. Down in the dumps 59. Man-mouse link
hardcore way but theoretically subliminal or inferred. I’ve said it for years this country and world is going to hell. The fact no one is held responsible for their actions instead look for an easy way out of something that “inconveniences” them like getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant. People today seem to have kids more by accident than on purpose. Pop culture has made formerly inexcusable behavior not only acceptable but the norm and until we change this mindset we’re all going to hell.
Dear Rocco, It seems like anytime someone is in crisis or needs a favor they run to me. Usually I try to help but I’m getting tired of being what seems to be the only one they run to. It’s been that way my whole life and I do like to help people but I feel some are taking advantage of my generosity be it monetary or timewise and of late they seem to be piling on. How did I become everyone’s “go to” guy? NT Dear NT, You have an innate desire to be liked. It’s great that you enjoy helping people – or being there for them but is someone there for you? Superman had kryptonite so no matter how strong we think we have there are things or time we’re not as strong as we feel and need a little relief ourselves. You seem to have a need to be liked therefore it seems like you may suffer from some low self-esteem and despite being stronger than most people tend to take advantage of your generosity and innate desire to be liked or loved. It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate yourself and cut some ties and only keep those that around you that have your best interest at heart. Cut others free and you will feel better plus you will see what they think of you if they can’t run to you for every little problem they have. Don’t put the weight of the world on your shoulders and learn to like yourself more.
Dear Rocco, Why do people have kids? All I see are people screaming abortion rights, see kids born out of wedlock and guys no paying child support. I hear the words “baby daddy” more than I hear “father” or “dad”. It’s kind of depressing. JC
Dear Rocco, I have been dating a guy online and have never met in person. We are close and even told each other that we loved each other and we both really mean it. I am almost 16 and he is 18. Now he won’t email me back or even try to find me on the net. I know he has a steady job but shouldn’t he make time for his girlfriend? Please tell me what to do. KH
person? This has got to be one of the dumbest questions I have ever gotten. How many bank transfers have you received from a Nigerian prince to date? Dumbass. Dear Rocco, My boyfriend and I broke up about a month ago, because of a misunderstanding. He now knows the truth, but is involved with another woman. They have been dating about two weeks. How do I convince him to break up with her without hurting her? WN Dear WN, You can’t. It is obvious he’s not in love with you. He wouldn’t have moved on as easily if he was. You need to move on as well.
Rocco is a common sense, tell-itlike-it-is, no-nonsense kind of guy offering real advice on any subject put before him. Why pay thousands of dollars on a high-priced therapist when he’ll straighten you Dear JC, Dear KH, out for free. If you’d like advice Initially having kids or procreation Grow up. How the hell can you from Rocco e-mail him at goaskrocwas and is for survival for the date someone you never met in co@yahoo.com. species – thus mankind or man. And up until some time in the 20h century that was still the way. More locally – or personally it was to keep certain bloodlines or fami ly names going. That’s why in the old days many women were judged on their ability to carry a child to term and you heard such term as “child bearing hips” as an actual compliment and not an admonish ment to her size or physique. That is also why certain families often were more close to other families in their circle. That is also why there were dowries and in some cultures arranged marriage. It wasn’t until the sexual revolution of the 1960s that sex became more of a recreational sport instead of more or less an inherited responsi bility to keep the “family name” going. Ironically because of this women soon found themselves used as sex objects because once media loosened their morals as the rest of the country did they real ized that sex sells and the oxy moron of women having more rights yet being exploited for being… a female while not in a ENIGMA
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ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Don’t count on your friends to be loyal when it comes to doing things. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. Focus on your domestic scene. Get together with friends or relatives. Don’t jump as quickly as you usually do. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your dynamic, determined approach will win favors as well as a helping hand. Do not blow situations out of proportion. You will be drawn to individuals who can provide you with both intellectual conversation and physical passion. It will be
important that you have your priori- and relax with the ones you love. place. Your lover may disappoint you in ties straight. such a way that estrangement will Your luckiest events this month will Your luckiest events this month will follow. Do your chores and get on occur on a Saturday. with the things you enjoy doing. occur on a Monday. SAGITTARIUS Your luckiest events this month will (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) GEMINI You will want to complain about the occur on a Thursday. (May 22-June 21) in justice that is going on, You can Sit tight. Things aren’t as bad as they make a difference if you offer your appear. Romance will unfold LEO help at functions that involve chilthrough business trips. Make those (July 23-Aug 22) phone calls and pay your bills. You can make professional changes dren. Your mate may be distressed if Relationships will be emotional this and direct your energy into making you refuse to make a commitment. all the right moves. Go after your Expressing yourself in novel ways month. goals. You may have more people on should lead you down new avenues. Your luckiest events this month will your domestic scene than anticipated. Jealous attitudes may lead you Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday. astray. Don’t be too eager to give a occur on a Sunday. piece of your mind or even your CANCER CAPRICORN opinion this month. (June 22-July 22) (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Property purchases should be on your mind. You need a day to rest Your luckiest events this month will Draw up contracts regarding your personal situation. One-sided relaoccur on a Sunday. tionships are likely. You can expect to feel confused about your personVIRGO al prospects. You’ll be prone to tears (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your intellectual charm will entice if your mate is harsh with you this mates who have common interests. month. Get out and, about. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might Your luckiest events this month will bring added cash. You may be able occur on a Saturday. to impart knowledge that’s innovative to those searching for a new AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) angle. Get involved in activities that will Your luckiest events this month will bring you knowledge about foreign land, philosophies, or cultures. You occur on a Wednesday. will have a great deal of insight when dealing with others. LIBRA Residential moves will also be (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Stick to your work and avoid emo- advantageous for all concerned. This tional confrontations. Social events is not the best day to visit relatives should be the highlight of your day. who get on your nerves. Be discreet about any information you uncover. Don’t tell others of Your luckiest events this month will your plans. Don’t be too eager to occur on a Monday. spend what’s left over; more unexPISCES pected expenses are evident. (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your luckiest events this month will Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. occur on a Friday. Avoid lending or borrowing. Your partner may be erratic this month if SCORPIO you haven’t paid enough attention to (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try to be fair in your dealings with him or her. You could find yourself acquaintances. Unexpected bills may left with someone’s dirty laundry. set you back. Don’t give them the use of your credit card. Dinner, theater, Your luckiest events this month will or a comedy club may be just the occur on a Tuesday. ENIGMA
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Smalltown Shakedown For those not familiar with over. The Deputy who came to our fulls. The deputy asked my father Benton,Tennessee it’s a very small car advised my father he had been where he was going. Dad replied town in Polk County. There is very stopped for speeding. My father “To see Judge White about buying little industry in Polk County and much of the revenue now comes from white water rafting and other river related activities. A major state road Highway 411 runs through Benton and is a major route towards Maryville, TN. and the Smoky Mountains. Unfortunately for decades this route through Benton has been the site of very aggressive traffic enforcement. I can remember back in the seventies riding in the back seat of a car when my father was snared in the Benton speed trap. I remember this incident for a couple of reasons. My dad was a stickler for the rules. I don’t think I ever saw him speed. I was very surprised he was stopped for speeding. Another reason I remember this occasion was that the law enforcement officers had about eight to ten vehicles pulled
I don’t get through Benton much anymore but a couple of years ago I was riding motorcycles with a friend who is a retired Police Officer (as am I) when he was snagged in the trap of the Polk County “Law’’. When I grew up in was genuinely surprised. The some cattle.” The deputy quickly Cleveland, Tennessee all law deputy then told Dad there was a handed Dad’s license back and enforcement was simply called drop in speed as you entered told him he was free to go. Now “the Law” whether it was municiBenton. Apparently a significant drop in speed like from 45 to 30. I don’t know if it was marked well or not. I do know that the Polk County gendarmes were scooping up alleged speeders by the line-
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45 Johnson Ferry Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30328 P.O. Box 825 Chattanooga, TN 37401
Dad did not intentionally drop the judge’s name. This was just what the judge was called. Whenever I heard anyone speak of Judge Dennis White they would say ‘Judge White”. Apparently he carried a lot of clout as we were quickly released from the trap upon the mention of his name. That was my first experience with the Benton speed trap.
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Paul E. Burke Sr. Publisher D.A. Weinthal. Editor-In-Chief Chris Eason Photo Editor
Contributing Editors: Mark Haskins, Jim Sells, Mark Bedford. Chris McKay, David N. Marks, William Alexander, Dave Fernandez Founder: D.A. Weinthal Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @EnigmaMag www.enigmaonline.com ENIGMA
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pal Police, County Deputies or Highway Patrol. It wasn’t until I started working in Chattanooga that I heard the term “Police” applied uniformly to Police officers. I went back to see what the fate of my friend was and to see why he had been stopped. He was informed he’d been “clocked” speeding. We had not seen the speed limit signs coming into Benton which dropped the speed significantly. The officer who stopped us was pretty cool and exercised his discretion to apply professional courtesy. I have been very careful to look for the speed limit signs in Benton and Polk County since then. However, the Polk County trap was set to spring on a friend of mine recently. My friend was driving through Benton when he was pulled over but not for speeding He had been stopped as the tag on the car he was driving was expired. The tag had expired on January 31st. He was stopped on February the 8th.
Now as I mentioned before I am a retired Police Officer. When we were in the Police Academy we were told to give a 30 day grace period on expired tags. This is not a law, it wasn’t policy but it was an unwritten rule. I have never heard of law enforcement writing a ticket for an eight day expired tag. When I was a rookie that was called “pickin’ ‘em green” referring to picking apples before they are ripe thus still green. This practice was frowned upon and met with ridicule by other cops so it was almost nonexistent. At that time in Chattanooga anyway. Most of us allowed 60 days just to be over cautious. My friend had been trying to get the vehicle through emissions and was concerned that the registration was expiring soon. I had assured him that he would have a 30 day grace period. I guess they just don’t “police” like we used to.
proof of insurance card which was expired. However, the policy was in effect and the card had the insurance agent’s name and phone number on it. My friend did not have a cell phone to call the agent. I understand he suggested the officer call the agent but the officer declined. So his fate was sealed. He was cited for expired registration and failure to show proof of insurance. My friend went to court and the failure to show proof of insurance charge was dismissed as it should have been. However he was found guilty of driving a vehicle with expired registration.
being in court from other cities and even neighboring states. Apparently the Polk County Police have been busy. Is this in my opinion over zealous traffic enforcement necessary? Is it to get revenue for the city or County? To be a little snarky perhaps Benton needs to start a Go Fund Me Page. I think that this rigid traffic enforcement may hurt businesses there. I know I plan to actively avoid buying anything in Benton. I may avoid going through Benton period. I just wanted to warn people about the strict traffic law enforcement there. Whether you decide to boycott, bypass or just beware Benton look for the speed limit signs and make sure your tag is not expired by even one day.
His fine was approximately one hundred dollars. Believe me this person does not have a hundred dollars to spare. Did the city of through Benton, Benton really need the money Going that bad? My friend related he Tennessee? Let the driver beware! saw cars with Hamilton county While the officer had my friend tags there for court and he said - Mark Haskins detained he asked for his proof of the judge commented on people insurance. The friend produced a
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A Las Vegas bus is offering passengers more than a quick commute — it serves as a mobile clinic to cure hangovers in 45 minutes. The Hangover Heaven Bus, run by Dr. Jason Burke, can be found seven days a week parked at various locations around the Las Vegas strip to offer refuge to hard partying people who find themselves feeling the post-alcohol sickness. The three packages offered at the mobile clinic involve IV fluids, vitamins, antioxidants, and treatments
for headaches and nausea. Burke said the process can cure a hangover in 45 minutes. The doctor said he based his process on his experience as an anesthesiologist. He said the symptoms of a hangover are very similar to those of someone coming out of anesthesia, so he adapted the techniques he would use on patients post-surgery to suit the drinking crowd. The Hangover Heaven Bus is busiest between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays, employees said, and is often booked solid in advance for events such as the Super Bowl.
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A doctor in Canada, who was accused of sexually assaulting his female patients by pressing his private parts against their legs, told a committee that he could not physically do that due to his large belly. A 5-member panel of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s discipline committee, heard that Dr. Rodion Andrew Kunynetz, who is a dermatologist, sexually assaulted female patients on multiple occasions. After reviewing all the evidence in the cases, the committee found the doctor guilty of sexually abusing one patient by touching her chest
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under her bra without clinical justification for doing so. Kunynetz denied all the allegations, claiming that it was physically impossible for him to press his manhood against his patients’ legs because the size of his belly. However, the committee ruled that Kunynetz failed to prove this. He is facing 11 criminal counts of sexual assault and one count of gross indecency. A total of 11 women filed complaints with the police against the doctor.
A hair salon owner in Germany, came up with a unique way to give women relaxing neck massages after taking a trip South Africa. The Haar Mode Team salon located in Dresden, uses a large snake to give women deep relaxing neck massages. Hair salon owner Frank Doehlen, said that he was inspired to use the reptile during a visit to South Africa, where he saw snakes being used for massages. He charges about $40 for a-la python neck massage service that lasts around 30 minutes. Doehlen named his 13-year-old snake Monty, which is estimated to be 90 percent pure muscle. Doehlen said that many customers tried the neck massage and are very happy. One customer revealed that she often gets neck pain during her work as a chimney cleaner. She said that the a-la python neck massage service helps her a lot, and vowed to come back for more. Police in Washington state said a cooler donated to a Goodwill store turned out to contain something far more valuable — $24,000 worth of marijuana. Monroe police said workers at the local Goodwill were sorting through donations during the weekend when they came across the cooler. “This cooler was donated over the weekend to the Goodwill. Employees surprised when they opened the lid,” police tweeted. The cooler was found to contain multiple baggies containing a total 3.75 pounds of marijuana, which police estimated had a $24,000 street value. Police are investigating and the Goodwill store is checking surveillance footage to try to identify the person who donated the cooler. A British inquest is being held to determine the rightful owners of a stash of gold coins found inside an antique piano during restoration efforts. The Shrewsbury Coroner’s Court heard a repair worker hired by the instrument’s new owners discovered someone had previously stashed an undisclosed number of gold coins inside the upright piano — coins that date between
1847 and 1915. The hoard was initially brought to the attention of Peter Reavill, who serves as finds liaison officer for the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme at Shropshire Museums. Reavill did not reveal the worth of the coins, but he told the BBC they represent “the potential of yielding a life-changing sum of money.” Experts said the gold could become the property of the crown under the Treasure Act if the rightful owners are not identified.
equines relieved itself inside the store. “I was just trying to make people smile and laugh,” Fields said. “I wasn’t trying to hurt nobody, or do anything destructive. It was just, like, you only live once, you know?” The Houston Humane Society also released a statement about the incident. “At
A deceased man got a bizarre and seductive send-off when women started twerking on his coffin. A video of the incident from Mexico showed mourners gathering to pay their respects to the man before he was laid to rest. While the wooden coffin was sitting on top of two motorcycles, women got on top and began twerking. Reggae music was blasting while the upbeat crowd seemed to be enjoying the show. At first, one woman began dancing and twerking on the coffin. A female onlooker grabbed the dancer’s skirt, exposing her underwear. She then spanked the dancer’s backside and threw water on her. A second woman in tight leggings then joined her and also twerked on top of the coffin. The video was posted with the caption: ‘When Brayan dies.’ The video has been seen more than 36,500 times. Walmart called an incident of two men riding horses through a Houston store a “reckless stunt.” Woody Fields recorded a video from atop his horse as he rode through the Walmart in Houston. The ride elicits many amazed looks from customers, especially young ones enamored of the horse. Security personnel are seen in the video, but take no action to stop the man or his horse. Fields, who was joined inside the store by another man on a horse, told local news he and the other man were going “parking lot pimping” when they decided on a whim to go inside the store. Fields said the other man also had his horse inside the store for a time and one of the ENIGMA
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minimum, riding a horse inside a store is incredibly irresponsible. This would be extremely stressful on any horse. The Houston Humane Society urges all pet owners to think and act responsibly when it comes to the lives of animals in their care.”
CONCERT CALENDAR “Go See Live Music”
This month’s calendar covers events for April and beyond. We would be happy to publish your free listing in future Billboards, space permitting. Simply mail us the information so that we have it 7 days before the publication date. A photograph may be sent with the announcement. Send information to: calendar@enigmaonline.com. All dates subject to change without notice.
SATURDAY April 1 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Chris Franjola REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Peewee Moore & the Awful Dreadful Snakes, Lew Card MARATHON MUSIC WORKS (Nashville) Modern Baseball, Kevin Devine, Sorority Noise, The Obsessives PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Radiohead CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Poi Dog Pondering COTTON EYED JOE (Knoxville) Aaron Lewis
SUNDAY April 2 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Chris Franjola THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) The Flaming Lips CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Mickey Dolenz EXIT/IN (Nashville) Howe Gelb, Mark Eitzel, Joe Fletcher
MONDAY April 3 TREMONT TAVERN (Chattanooga) Trivia Night THE OFFICE (Chattanooga) SpeakEasy CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Coco Montoya JAMES K. POLK THEATRE (Nashville) Tiempo Libre
TUESDAY April 4 TREMONT TAVERN (Chattanooga) Open Mic w/ Mike McDade SONGBIRDS GUITAR MUSEUM (Chattanooga) California Guitar Trio GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Clint Black JAMES K. POLK THEATRE (Nashville) Tiempo Libre TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Rusted Root
THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The World Series of Comedy, Satellite Competition
THURSDAY April 6 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The World Series of Comedy, Satellite Competition J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Big Jesus REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Steve Moakler KNOXVILLE COLISEUM (Knoxville) “I Love The 90s” Salt-N-Pepa, All-4-One, Color Me Badd, Coolio, Tone Loc, Rob Base, Young M.C. VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Mike Posner WORKPLAY THEATRE (Birmingham) Howie Day, Katie Rose BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) “Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard” Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, John Mellencamp, Dierks Bentley, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Dunn, Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lucinda Williams, Ben Haggard, John Anderson, Connie Smith, Bobby Bare
FRIDAY April 7 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av RAW (Chattanooga) DJ Barnaby THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The World Series of Comedy, Satellite Competition J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Aaron Lee Tasjan CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Boy Named Banjo REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Muscadine Bloodline, Channing Wilson STONEWOOD BLUFF AND AMPHITHEATRE (McMinnville, TN) Ramble in the Attic LEGACY ARENA (Birmingham) Panic! At the Disco, Misterwives, Saint Motel VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Keller Williams, Leo Kottke THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Young Dubliners FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Jerry Seinfeld CANNERY BALLROOM (Nashville) Jojo, Stanaj LAUREL THEATRE (Knoxville) Dismembered Tennesseans
UPCOMING EVENTS
WEDNESDAY April 5 RAW (Chattanooga) Open Jam
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THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The
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World Series of Comedy, Satellite Competition April 8 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) White Violet, Future Elevators April 8 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) Moth Face in Tennessee April 8 SOUTHERN BELLE RIVERBOAT (Chattanooga0 Jeff the Brotherhood, Shannon and the Clams April 8 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Blackfoot Gypseys, Rye Baby April 8 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) The Zombies feat. Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent April 8 THE COCA COLA ROXY THEATRE (Atlanta) Glass Animals, Jagwar Ma April 8 BUCKHEAD THEATRE (Atlanta) JoJo April 8 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Duran Duran April 8 COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (Atlanta) Ron White April 8 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Joe Lowers April 9 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) DAIKAIJU, Pirato Ketchup April 9 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) Minor 9 April 9 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Tauk, Permagroove April 9 JAMES K. POLK THEATRE (Nashville) The Zombies feat. Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent April 9 HIGH WATT (Nashville) Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants, Brian Whelan April 9 RHYTHM & BLOOMS FESTIVAL (Knoxville) Young The Giant, Parker Millsap, Aaron Lee Tasjan April 9 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Old Sea Brigade, Max Fine, Bunch April 10 SYNDICATE LOUNGE (Birmingham) Shovels & Rope, Matthew Logan Vasquez April 10 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Chris Shiflett, Brian Whelan April 10 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) David Dondero April 11 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) The Decemberists, Julien Baker April 11 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Terri Clark April 11 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Open Mic Comedy April 12 PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Ariana Grande April 12 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Anthrax, Killswitch Engage April 12 INFINITE ENERGY ARENA Duluth, GA) Panic! At the Disco, Misterwives, Saint Motel April 12 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) The Decemberists, Julien Baker April 12 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Joe Lowers April 13 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Golden Pelicans, Those Lavender Whales April 13 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Colony House, Knox Hamilton April 13 THE CONCOURSE (Knoxville) Coco Montoya April 13 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Joe Lowers April 14 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Dalchast, Illiterate Night, Mailboxes April 14 FIRESIDE GRILLE (Chattanooga) Ramble in the Attic April 14 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Rumours April 14 PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Red Hot Chili Peppers April 14
TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Hayes Carll April 14 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Todd Snider April 14 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Katt Williams April 14 KINGS NIGHTCLUB (Clarksville) Puddle of Mudd April 14 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Joe Lowers April 15 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) The Velcro Pygmies April 15 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) Testament, Sepultura, Prong April 15 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Loretta Lynn April 15 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Rodney Crowell April 16 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) “Wild West Comedy Festival” “Here Comes The Funny Tour” Adam Sandler, David Spade, Nick Swardson, Rob Schneider April 17 THE EARL (Atlanta) CJ Ramone April 17 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Turkuaz, Organ Freeman April 18 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Foxygen, Gabriella Cohen April 18 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Big Sean, Madeintyo April 18 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) “Asia On Tour” Miyavi, Slot Machine, Kiha & The Faces April 18 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Neil Diamond April 19 ACME FEED & SEED (Nashville) The Hip Abduction April 19 SATURN (Birmingham) Jump, Little Children, Young Miser, Katie Rose April 19 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Shaun Jones April 20 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Powers, Praymantha, Bogsloth April 20 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Jason Isbell April 20 THE STAR BAR (Atlanta) Southern Culture on the Skids April 20 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Shaun Jones April 21 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Susto, Parker Gispert, Pillow Talk, Superbody April 21 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) The Weeks, The Lonely Biscuits April 21 LEGACY ARENA (Birmingham) Tim McGraw, Faith Hill April 21 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Russell Dickerson, Ryan Hurd April 21 VANDERBILT (Nashville) “Rites of Spring” The Shins, St. Lucie, Johnnyswim April 21 NASHVILLE PALACE (Nashville) Restless Heart April 21 RIVERS & SPIRES FESTIVAL (Clarksville, TN) Drowning Pool, Red Sun Rising, The Springs, Steve Weeks, Rumours, Adelaide, Alphonse Prather April 21 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Sweetwater 420 Festival” The Hip Abduction, Dirty Heads, Trey Anastasio, Natalie Cressman April 21 TENNESSEE THEATRE (Knoxville) Jason Isbell April 21 KNOXVILLE COLISEUM (Knoxville) Daniel Tosh April 21 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Shaun Jones April 22
PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, needtobreathe April 22 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Sweetwater 420 Festival” Sister Sparrow And The Dirty Birds, Anders Osborne, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Widespread Panic April 22 THE COCA COLA ROXY THEATRE (Atlanta) Corey Smith, Muscadine Bloodline April 22 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Sister Hazel April 22 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Scott Miller April 22 AMPLIFY DECATUR (Decatur, GA) Lucinda Williams, Noah Gundersen, John Moreland April 22 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Jason Isbell April 22 COUNTRY TONITE THEATRE (Pigeon Forge) Tanya Tucker April 22 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) David Grisman April 22 VANDERBILT (Nashville) “Rites of Spring” Rae Sremmurd. Ty Dolla Sign, Aminé April 22 RIVERS & SPIRES FESTIVAL (Clarksville, TN) Montomery Gentry, Awaken, Austin Anderson, Kris Bell, Few Miles On, Tristan McIntosh, Reigh, Kazual, Steve Weeks April 22 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Shaun Jones April 23 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Brian Regan April 23 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Sweetwater 420 Festival” Lettuce, Dark Star Orchestra, Ween, Widespread Panic April 23 CLASSIC CENTER (Athens, GA) Daniel Tosh April 23 SYMPHONY HALL (Atlanta) Ben Folds April 24 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Brandi Carlile April 24 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Ms. Lauryn Hill April 24 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Joe Walsh April 25 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Terri Clark April 25 OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE (Pelham, AL) Blink-182 April 25 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Royal Hounds, GA Brown April 26 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Dawes April 26 ZYDECO (Birmingham) Hinder, Nonpoint, Nine Shrines April 26 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Bob Mould April 26 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Hypnotist Herb McCandles April 27 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Simo April 27 BARLEY’S TAPROOM (Knoxville) Paleface April 27 KNOXVILLE COLISEUM (Knoxville) Blink-182 April 27 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla April 27 PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Joe Walsh April 27 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Ari Hest April 27 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Hypnotist Herb McCandles April 28 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Paula Poundstone April 28 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Backup
ENIGMA
Planet, The Heavy Pets April 28 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Keith Sweat April 28 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Dawes April 28 THE EARL (Atlanta) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah April 28 SUN TRUST PARK (Atlanta) Billy Joel April 28 GEORGIA THEATRE (Athens, GA) Sister Hazel April 28 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Mastodon, Eagles Of Death Metal, Russian Circles April 28 SLOSS FURNACES NAT’L HIST. LANDMARK (Birmingham) T.I. April 28 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Cage the Elephant April 28 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Hypnotist Herb McCandles April 29 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Tennessee’s Dead April 29 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy April 29 GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER (Atlanta) Hank Williams Jr. April 29 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Dave Davies April 29 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Christian McBride Trio April 29 VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK (Dallas, GA) Sara Evans, Angie Lynn Carter April 29 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Dawes April 29 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Sister Hazel April 29 HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO (Cherokee) Alice Cooper April 29 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA (Knoxville) Florida Georgia Line, Dustin Lynch, Chris Lane April 29 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Hypnotist Herb McCandles April 30 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Corey Branan, Bryan Hensley April 30 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Dawes April 30 PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) Neil Diamond April 30 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) “International Day of Jazz” Ekaya, Hugh Masekela, Sofia Rei, Senri Oe, Tamuz Nissim April 30 PURGATORY AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Emarosa, Chapel, Revel In Romance April 30 EXIT/IN (Nashville) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah April 30 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Dave Davies April 30 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Cage the Elephant April 30 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis, Kap G April 30 THE INTERNATIONAL (Knoxville) T.I. April 30 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox May 31 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Kitchen Dwellers May 1 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Dave Davies May 1 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Silversun Pickups May 1 THE INTERNATIONAL (Knoxville) Pierce the Veil, Emarosa, Chapel May 1 ZYDECO (Birmingham) Every Time I Die, ’68,
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Wage War May 1 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) A Perfect Circle May 2 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Coheed And Cambria, The Dear Hunter May 2 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) The New Pornographers, Waxahatchee May 2 HELL AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) All That Remains May 2 TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATRE (Tuscaloosa, AL) Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla May 2 ALABAMA THEATRE (Birmingham) Alice Cooper May 2 IRON CITY (Birmingham) In This Moment, Motionless In White, Avatar, Gemini Syndrome May 2 THE MILL & MINE (Knoxville) Chevelle May 2 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Lil Wayne May 2 MARATHON MUSIC WORKS (Nashville) Machine Gun Kelly May 2 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Chevelle, Aeges, Dinosaur Pile Up May 3 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla May 3 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Adrian Belew, Saul Zonana May 3 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Soundgarden May 3 GEORGIA THEATRE (Athens, GA) Spoon May 3 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) A Perfect Circle May 3 MARATHON MUSIC WORKS (Nashville) Coheed And Cambria, The Dear Hunter May 3 TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATRE (Tuscaloosa, AL) Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds May 3 THE MILL & MINE (Knoxville) Machine Gun Kelly May 3 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Greg Morton May 4 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Drive By Truckers May 4 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Every Time I Die, Wage War, ‘68 May 4 WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Opeth, Gojira May 4 WORKPLAY THEATRE (Birmingham) Chris Knight May 4 SATURN (Birmingham) Hurray for the Riff Raff, Ron Gallo, Becca Mancari May 4 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Boston May 4 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Greg Morton May 5 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Baby Baby May 5 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) JJ Grey & Mofro May 5 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Bastille May 5 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Pixies, Public Access T.V. May 5 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Boston May 5 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Beats” Griz, RL Grime, Bonobo, Alison Wonderland, Claude VonStroke, Snails, The Knocks, Party Favor, Boombox Cartel, Ganja White Night, Cry Wolf, Ekali, Said The Sky, Armnhmr May 5 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Wale May 5 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Future, Migos, Tory Lanez, Kodak Black
ENIGMA
May 5 DRUID CITY MUSIC HALL (Tuscaloosa, AL) Seether, Letters From The Fire, Kaleido May 5 WORKPLAY THEATRE (Birmingham) Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham May 5 SLOSS FURNACES NAT’L HIST. LANDMARK (Birmingham) Death Cab for Cutie May 5 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Greg Morton May 6 PUCKETT’S (Chattanooga) Karianne Jean May 6 KNOXVILLE SYMPHONY (Knoxville) Blood Sweat & Tears May 6 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals May 6 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) Midnight Oil May 6 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Beats” Kaskade, Flosstradamus, Galantis, Gramatik, Flatbush Zombies, Slushii, Ephwurd, Mija, Pouya, Haywyre, Joyryde, Bad Royale , Young Bombs, CID, Kaiydo, Modern Measure, Lost Seekers, Illenium May 6 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, Lucie Silvas May 6 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds May 6 HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO (Cherokee) Poison May 6 TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATRE (Tuscaloosa, AL) Soundgarden May 6 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Greg Morton May 7 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Brian Wilson May 7 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) The Pretty Reckless, Them Evils May 7 SONGBIRDS GUITAR MUSEUM (Chattanooga) Tommy Emmanuel May 7 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) SuicideGirls May 7 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Beats” The Chainsmokers, Zeds Dead, Girl Talk, Getter, Little Dragon, Slander, Lost Kings, Rezz, Vanic, MuteMath, Loudpvck, Grandtheft, Mayhem (DJ), Echos, Wingtip, Mantis May 7 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) X May 7 THE COCA COLA ROXY (Atlanta) Lil Wayne May 8 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Breaking Benjamin May 8 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Comedy Buffet w/ Dave Stone May 9 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Brian Wilson May 9 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Terri Clark May 9 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy May 9 40 WATT CLUB (Athens, GA) Shonen Knife May 9 THE MILL & MINE (Knoxville) Spoon May 9 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Steve Winwood May 10 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Julianne Hough, Derek Hough May 10 COCA COLA ROXY THEATRE (Atlanta) Bush May 10 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Frank Del Pizzo May 11 HEAVEN AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) The Damned May 11 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Julianne Hough,
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Derek Hough May 11 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Kings of Leon May 11 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Frank Del Pizzo May 12 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) Zac Brown Band May 12 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Ali Wong May 12 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Knees Music Festival” LCD Soundsystem, Cage The Elephant, Pixies, Portugal. The Man, Highly Suspect, Fidlar, Wolf Parade, The Growlers, Car Seat Headrest, Modern Baseball, Twin Peaks, Temples, Pup, Preoccupations, Pinegrove, Lo Moon, The London Souls, Margaret Glaspy, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Zipper Club, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes May 12 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Charlie Mars May 12 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Frank Del Pizzo May 13 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Waxfang May 13 PHILIPS ARENA (Atlanta) The Weeknd May 13 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Knees Music Festival” The xx, Nick Murphy, X Ambassadors, Moon Taxi, Sylvan Esso, Dr. Dog, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Shovels & Rope, The Revivalists, Anderson East, Bishop Briggs, The Record Company, Lewis Del Mar, Run River North, Family And Friends, Fantastic Negrito, Mariachi El Bronx, Foreign Air, Mondo Cozmo, The Quaker City Night Hawks, Public Access T.V., Flagship May 13 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Ryan Davis May 14 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) Zac Brown Band May 13 ANDREW JACKSON HALL (Nashville) Alice Cooper May 14 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy May 14 CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK (Atlanta) “Shaky Knees Music Festival” Phoenix, The Shins, Ryan Adams, Third Eye Blind, Bleachers, J. Roddy Walston And The Business, Saint Motel, Warpaint, Hamilton Leithauser, Cloud Nothings, Whitney, Pond, Fruit Bats, Arkells, Hoops, Con Brio, Ron Gallo, Great Peacock, Amythyst Kiah May 14 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Phoenix, Whitney May 15 TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATRE (Tuscaloosa, AL) John Legend, Gallant May 16 HELL AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) X May 16 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, Boyz II Men May 17 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nahville) Korn, Ded May 17 EXIT/IN (Nashville) Com Truise, Clark, Roland Tings May 17 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Julianne Hough, Derek Hough May 17 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Kiefer Sutherland May 17 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Kip Winger May 17 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Janet Williams May 18 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) John
Legend, Gallant May 18 EXIT/IN (Nashville) New Found Glory, Trash Boat May 18 MERCY LOUNGE (Nashville) Biffy Clyro May 18 THE END (Nashville) Every Time I Die, ’68, Wage War May 18 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Korn, Animals As Leaders, Ded May 18 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Janet Williams May 19 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Jon Mayfield Plan May 19 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Dead 27’s May 19 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Little Big Town May 19 EXIT/IN (Nashville) Kiefer Sutherland May 19 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) John Legend, Gallant May 19 BLIND WILLIE’S (Atlanta) Joe Louis Walker May 19 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) “Funk Fest Atlanta” Erykah Badu. Ro James, Digable Planets May 19 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Janet Williams May 20 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Elkmilk May 20 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey May 20 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Little Big Town May 20 12TH & PORTER (Nashville) Adrian Belew, Saul Zonana May 20 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Mac DeMarco, Tonstartssbandht May 20 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham May 20 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) “Funk Fest Atlanta” Bell Biv DeVoe, , SWV, En Vogue, Guy May 20 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) North Mississippi Allstars May 20 TENNESSEE THEATRE (Knoxville) Old Crow Medicine Show May 20 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Janet Williams May 21 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Richie Kotzen May 21 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) “Funk Fest Atlanta” Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Brandy, Joe May 21 HIGH WATT (Nashville) Elf Power, Tobin Sprout May 22 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Richie Kotzen May 22 EXIT/IN (Nashville) Franz Ferdinand May 22 HELL AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Okilly Dokilly, Beatallica May 23 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Sigur Rós May 23 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Primus May 23 SATURN (Birmingham) The Black Lips May 23 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Terri Clark May 23 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Maxwell, Common, Ledisi May 23 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Angie Aparo May 24 OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE (Pelham, AL) Train, O.A.R., Natasha Bedingfield May 24 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Daryl Hall & John Oates, Tears For Fears May 24 JAMES K. POLK THEATRE (Nashville) David Gray May 24
THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Erik Knowles May 25 HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO (Cherokee) Chris Rock May 25 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Erik Knowles May 26 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Chris Rock May 26 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Eric Church May 26 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Erik Knowles May 27 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Chris Rock May 27 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Eric Church May 27 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Erik Knowles May 28 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Chris Rock May 28 TRACK 29 (Chattanooga) Flux Pavillion, Kayzo, Jaykode May 31 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Julianne Hough, Derek Hough May 31 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Train, O.A.R., Natasha Bedingfield May 31 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Lake Street Dive, Sarah Jarosz May 31 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds May 31 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Billy Currington June 1 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Train, O.A.R., Natasha Bedingfield June 2 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Paul Simon June 2 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Indigo Girls June 2 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Muse, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Pvris June 3 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Indigo Girls June 3 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Toto June 4 (Chattanooga) Maxwell, Ledisi, Leela James June 4 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Muse, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Pvris June 6 AVONDALE BREWING COMPANY (Birmingham) J. Cole June 6 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) The Avett Brothers June 8 FRANKLIN THEATRE (Franklin, TN) Roger McGuinn June 8 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Boz Scagggs, Boy Named Banjo, High Valley, Jesse Kramer June 9 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) The Avett Brothers June 9 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Don Felder, Deacon Blues Band, The Vagabonds, The Joy Formidable June 10 ALYS ROBINSON STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (Birmingham) Jonny Lang June 10 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) The Avett Brothers June 10 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Corey Smith, Okd Dominion, Kaitlyn Baker, White Denim June 11 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Chance the Rappe June 11 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Daryl Hall & John Oates, Tears For Fears June 11 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Selwyn Birchwood June 12 ANDREW JACKSON HALL (Nashville) Sigur Rós June 12
ENIGMA
RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Jamie Grace, Crowder, Sidewalk Prophets, Finding Favour June 13 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Dead & Company June 13 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Iron Maiden, Ghost June 13 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Mother’s Finest , Chase Martin, Brett Young June 14 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Gladys Knight June 15 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Morris Day And The Time, Cameo, The Purple Experience feat. The Dr. Matt Fink, Billy Joe Shaver, The Ragbirds, Chris Bandi, Whiskey Myers June 15 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Third Eye Blind, Silversun Pickups June 15 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Lauren Alaina June 15 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) Toby Keith, The Yardbirds, Drew Sterchi, Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, Sullivan Band June 16 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Lauren Alaina June 16 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Cedric the Entertainer, George Lopez June 16 TENNESSEE THEATRE (Knoxville) Gladys Knight June 16 RIVERBEND FESTIVAL (Chattanooga) The Producers, The Last Bandoleros, Brother Hawk, Geneva, Here Come The Mummies June 17 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK (Alpharetta, GA) Luke Bryan, Brett Eldridge, Lauren Alaina June 17 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Col. Bruce Hampton June 17 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Gipsy Kings June 17 FRANKLIN THEATRE (Franklin, TN) Christopher Cross June 17 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Gladys Knight June 17 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Bruce Hornsby June 17 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Francine Reed, Lilly Winwood June 18 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Mickey Dolenz June 18 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) Bruce Hornsby June 19 HUTTON & SMITH BREWING COMPANY (Chattanooga) Strung Like A Horse June 21 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) Johnny Mathis June 23 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Chicago, Doobie Brothers June 23 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Chicago, Doobie Brothers June 23 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Sister Hazel June 23 HUTTON & SMITH BREWING COMPANY (Chattanooga) Strung Like A Horse June 24 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Dispatch, Guster June 24 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Sheryl Crow June 25 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, CNCO June 25
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“Intelligence” Assessment ...Things just keep getting weirder between the Trump presidential law/advisor Jared Kushner had met in Washington. Devin Nunes, the campaign and Russian with executive from a major Republican who chairs the House business/political interests. Here’s Russian bank. The “firewall” between Trump’s governmental role and his private interests apparently doesn’t extend to family members...
known members of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s inner circle... and they’re suspected of a wide range of fraudulent and corrupt financial activities conducted for his benefit. But USA Today is the first credible news outlet to connect Trump to known members of ...His Royal Trumpness has not the Russian Mafia... escaped media scrutiny. A USA Today article claims Trump has a ...The thing that differs about the cozy relationship to Russian oli- Russian Mafia the fact that it’s virgarchs and mobsters. “To expand tually state-sponsored. No one his real estate developments over rises to the top in the Russian mob the years,” according to the article, without Putin’s blessing. And it’s “Donald Trump, his company and virtually certain that Putin, whom partners repeatedly turned to many consider the wealthiest man wealthy Russians and oligarchs in the world, gets a slice off the from former Soviet republics — top. Throw in the hacking of the several allegedly connected to U.S. presidential election and you organized crime, according to a might get the impression that the review of court cases, government Russians are not our friends. and legal documents and an inter- Despite all of Trump’s eerie praise view with a former federal prose- of Putin, a lot of Americans remain cutor.” Links connecting Trump, his wary of the Russians. The Cold War associates, and Russian billionaire is over, but an enduring chill oligarchs have been exposed remains... almost constantaly since the election. Many of those oligarchs are - - Mark Bedford
Intelligence Committee, suddenly cancelled a couple of committee meeting. This came after Nunes was scrutinized for delivering investigative information from his committee to President Donald Trump or his senior aides... prior to sharing it with his fellow committee members... ...Now there are cries from both sides of the aisle for Nunes to recuse himself. (Just as Attorney General Jeff Sessions was forced to do.) It’s clear that only an independent investigation can get to the bottom of the murky ties
the challenge. The Republicans own majorities in both the House and Senate. They would have to approve an independent investigation for it to happen. It’s hard to see that happening... ...Meanwhile, it’s important to remember that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is continuing to investigate the Trump campaign’s communications with the Russians. The FBI is looking for signs of “collusion” between the campaign and the Russkies. It got more interesting early this week when it was reported that Trump son-inENIGMA
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Peewee Moore: American Outlaw Peewee Moore is a road warrior. He was locally (in)famous as half of the country/rockabilly duo Peewee and Channing and their full band effort, The [Tennessee] Rounders touring regionally and occasionally out west. After the fortunes of the band began to peter out Moore took to the road with his own outfit, The Awful Dreadful Snakes. For the past decade Moore and his band has hardly been idle as they’ve clocked more miles than the best Volvo (remember those old commercials?) touring all over the world. They’ve managed to record three albums between touring, the last being 2015’s American Outlaw. He’s garnered a lot of press for his old school approach to country music man say the torch has been passed to him to carry on the tradition of “outlaw” country.
writing?
fringes of rockabilly.
Oh well… (laughs) It keeps me a little warmer. (bothh laugh)) I guesss thatt comes inn handyy onn thee road,, doesn’tt it? Yeah, if you’re going to be north in the winter it’s real handy. (laughs) I’vee knownn youu foreverr itt seems like.. Youu weree locallyy famous forr a longg timee whhenn withh The Rounderss andd alll thee acoustic showss youu didd withh bandmate Channingg Wilson.. Youu thenn bassicallyy branchedd offf onn yourr own forr overr tenn yearss now. Yeah, it’s been pretty steady. We’ve really been rolling up the miles.
Whatt iss itt likee beingg onn thee road It’ss beenn a longg timee sincee I’ve ass mucch ass youu are?? You’ree not seenn you.. That’ss a mighty justt regionallyy touring,, you’re impressivee beardd thatt you’ve goingg coastt too coast. grown. We’ve been doing that and we’re (laughs) Yeah, it bushed out. international now too. We’ve (laughs) been hitting Europe that last couple of years. Here in the How w longg didd itt takee too grow states we put on about 50,000 somethingg thatt impressive?? As miles a year. longg ass I’vee knownn youu you’ve beenn prettyy cleann cutt withh side- How w hass yourr musicc evolved burnss from m timee too time. sincee youu firstt startedd playing? Whenn youu begann youu weree playYeah. It took about a year; year ingg oldd schooll rockabillyy annd and a half. I didn’t shave or traditionall country.. A lott considerr youu too carryy onn thee torch nothing. forr “outlaw w country”. Whatt impressionn orr motivation hass thiss impressivee faciall hair We pretty much stick with outhavee orr yourr musicc andd song- law country and honky tonk ENIGMA
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So I moved back towards home so I could be a little closer to my Whenn youu listenn too country folks. musicc onn thee radioo – iff youu doo at all,, doess itt depresss youu from Whatt wass itt likee beingg ouut in whatt youu hearr they’ree passing Texas?? Didd itt havee anyy influence offf ass countryy music? onn you?? I realizee everyonee missess home,, butt didd youu takee anym beingg out Oh yeah. About ten years ago I thingg awayy from told myself it couldn’t get any there? worse and by God it’s gotten worse ever since. (both laugh) Absolutely. There are a lot of great musicians and performers Telll mee aboutt yourr latestt album. out there – guitar players and everything. You’ve got to step The last one is called American your game up or you’re going to Outlaw and we released it in get lost in the mix. I was able to 2015. We’re recording now and focus on what to do to make the last one was 2015 and we’ve myself better. toured all over. Most of them on there are originals and put a few Youu sayy you’ree recordingg a new cover tunes on there because album;; telll mee a littlee bitt abbout they’re songs we always played, it.. Inn whatt directionn doo youu find yourselff goingg onn thiss one? loved and respect.
Afterr movingg from m yourr home- It will be outlaw country – all townn off Chattanoogaa youu moved original music. We’re actually too Texas. working on three albums. I started my own studio and Yeah, I lived in Austin for about record label. One of the album three years. I was on the road is our and the other two we’re out there as much as I was here. recording people.
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onee a hindrancee too thee other?
Forr a longg timee youu weree consideredd a locall musiciann andd that cann bee a goodd orr bandd thing dependingg onn how w youu lookk at it.. Whenn youu hearr someone beingg referredd too ass a local musiciann whatt comess too mindd as a musicc listenerr – nott musician?
I write when I’m on the road. I’ll get an idea or a line or a melody and I’ll keep track of it and work on it while we’re driving if we have a little time off or something. I write more when we’re at home and I have more time.
I think of guys that play around town and don’t venture out of market.
How w hass movingg backk too the Tennesseee valleyy hadd ann affect onn youu ass a musician?
Didd youu worryy aboutt havingg thhat labell yourself?? Whatt weree your goalss ass a musiciann originally? When I started I wanted to play as much music everywhere I could play it. I played wit The Rounders for six or seven years. We played local a lot and then we’d venture out a little bit – four, five, six, seven hours away from home. At a point we got stuck at a point where I wanted to go further. Everybody kind of moved on with The Rounders and we were slowing down. I decided to move across the country and I’ve been doing it ever since. We’re doing more shows every time we go around the country.
do it for a while. And everybody Whatt iss yourr writingg process? can’t do it all the time, so you Doo youu writee onn thee roadd orr is find others to do it when they can’t do it so they can hop off the road because something happened in their life and then you find the next guy to pick them up. Youu sayy you’ree workingg onn three albums.. Doo youu enjoyy the recordingg processs orr doo youu preferr too be a performer?
Doo youu everr worryy aboutt when yoou comee homee beingg considI like both of them. I love pereredd a “local”” musiciann which forming but there’s a lot to be forr a longg timee hadd a stigma learned from recording. You attachedd too it?? can really refine you sound and technique as a player. I like tat people consider me a hometown type guy. I don’t Inn a lott off musicall genress an think many people consider us a artistt mayy findd theirr inspiration local band. I think people know beginn too wanee compaaredd to we’re out on the road all the whenn theyy firstt startedd playing time traveling around. andd recording.. Thatt doesn’t reallyy seem m thee casee withh counForr thee pastt tenn yearss you’ve tryy music.. Doo youu thinkk you’re spentt a lott off timee onn thee road gettingg strongerr ass a songwriter? playingg alll over.. Hass itt hardd to findd a groupp off playerss thatt are Yeah, absolutely. It’s refined a committedd too playingg ass much lot too. Instead of a one-liner it onn thee roadd ass you? comes back as a Steinbeck novel or something. (laughs) Yeah. You find guys that want to ENIGMA
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I’ve been on the road so long it’s about time I went home an went to bed, but for me it’s work and we’ve got to go out. We’ve kind of refined our touring approach so we can stay at home in the winter most of the time and spring, fall, summer we’re on the road pretty heavy.
- Dave Weinthal
Martin Barre When one hears the name Jethro Tull one usually thinks of the name Ian Anderson and the song “Aqualung” in the same breath. However the song so synonymous with the band can thank it’s unforgettable intro and guitar solo to Martin Barre the band’s lead guitarist from 1969 until they called it quits in 2014. Jethro Tull owes its signature sound to Barre considered one of the greatest guitar players in the world. And despite Tull retiring in 2014 Barre hs nt slowed down as he continues to record world not only that Barre’s still and tour with his own band. alive but he’s even better than 2015’s Back to Steel showed the ever. Onn yourr latestt album,, Backk to Steel you’vee gonee backk too your rootss whichh iss blues-based. I waited about three years before I did the album. I wanted to wait until we had material we could play live on stage andI hadn’t ha enough maerail from my solo albums to fit the bill. Whatt wass yourr motivationn to pursuee musicc ass a career?? Is thatt motivationn stilll thee same today? Probably not. (laughs) I just did what all the other school kids did but then my sister took me to see a band play. I had never seen a band play in my life. I was 14 years old. I know after seeing this band that it’s exactly what I wanted to do. Not necessarily a career, but a hobby or some direction to go in. I just love music from that moment on so I picked up a ENIGMA
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guitar and started learning how to play it. I just enjoyed it more and more and then I was lucky because where I living in Birmingham there were so many bands and there where so many venues to play, most played three, four, maybe five nights a week; so it was a great time to be learning. Doo youu thinkk today’ss guitarists/musicianss aree motivated byy thee samee reasonss youu were? I think kids today watching YouTube, watching reality and those talent shows are on the cynical side. Kids want to be rock stars. They don’t want to put the time and put hard work into it. It’s not about being a good musician; they just want the fame, exposure and that sort of side to it. I’m sure there’s a lot of great players out there. I hear them all the time. It doesn’t matter. When I get to hear people playing music live it’s good. A small portion of those that pick up guitar, play piano or sing will have a lot of talent and have a great career. I’m not sure what the motivation there is, but I’m sure anyone who picks up a guitar or starts playing bass and are inspired by seeing us play is fantastic. It makes me happy. You’vve beenn playingg withh your ownn projectt forr a numberr of years.. Ass everyonee knowss you weree partt off Jethhroo Tull.. How muchh materiall didd youu havee for yourr projectt didd youu havee when
grain. We never did what the record label thought we should do because essentially people at record labels they’re just to play some music and know what sells from what they see. They’re only looking at what’s already successful and just saying you follow that formula and you too will be that successful. It’s completely untrue. We listened to what they had to say and completely ignored it. And
Well, I’ve been doing it a long time. (laughs) It’s a mixture of boredom, tedious long journeys, naughty hotel rooms, the trains roll past your window every hour, horrible breakfasts – that’s the realistic side. But the horror about the day, as soon as you take the stage it’s amazing. Playing live, it’s a fantastic thing to be able to do. It never diminishes. It’s always great. Very luckily we have
Barre back in the ‘70s with Jethro Tull.
Jethroo Tulll retired?? Didd you youu easierr thann thee lyrics? alreadyy havee songss inn waiting? Oh yeah, definitely. I’m the lyriYeah, I did. I had already made cist but that’s probably the five solo albums when Tull fin- hardest part. Once the song is ished. I knew what I wanted to written I have to write lyrics. I do and that’s why I did the Back wish it were the other way to Steel album which is more around because that’s not my focused on being band materi- strongpoint. The music is al. I had already done solo something I find easier to do. I band projects during the time have passion to write music all with Jethro Tull so I had a gig of the time. I find it quite natural music that was primarily my to get up in the morning go to own. the studio and fiddle around on guitar and sometimes an idea Youu havee a veryy uniquee guitar will come out and I’ll put it in a style.. Itt iss veryy recognizable. notebook and on down the How w didd youu developp thiss style? line. I find the hard parts are the lyrics and I find a vocalist That’s an impossible question because I can’t sing and don’t ot answer. I can’t analyze it. I know what works and doesn’t use different guitars for differ- work in the phrasing and pitch. ent intonations, but I don’t recw thatt youu havee yourr ownn ognize it, but I guess a long Now time ago – in the ‘60s there projectt andd thee wayy radioo and was this girl singer that Jeff thee recordd industryy has Beck had in the studio. This changedd doo youu feell a greater m ass a muusiciann now girl asked for a solo for the freedom record. I think there are so thann earlyy onn orr whenn youu first many variables it’s in the way joinedd Jethroo Tull?? Theree are you’re playing it. It’s the pres- plentyy off storiess outt therre how w they sure, the technique, the string, labelss wouldd dicatedd how the guitar itself – all these vari- wantedd songss writtenn a certain ables will produce a sound. I length.. I meann I doo understand think every day you play you Jethroo Tulll wass a pioneering fine-tune what that sound progressivee rockk bandd andd all that… needs to be.
Barre continues to tour now but with his own band.
it’s true today; you’ve got you can get out and do anything. And they you can’t because you have to appeal to an audience. You want people to like the music on a very broad level. It’s the same deal – you do very quirky music – left of center; you can’t expect to be widely accepted because it’s very strange.
really amazing audiences. They get to know the band a lot more. They know all the guys in the band. They get to know the music a lot better too. We have a start on the right foot that people know what to expect, Going around he country is not easy, but the reward at the end of the day make it very much worthwhile.
Doo youu enjoyy beingg onn the road?
- Dave Weinthal
Onn Backk too Steel, beingg a song- We never noticed that pressure writerr didd thee musicc comee to anyway; going against the ENIGMA
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All Ears For The Lumineers mature and eclectic crowd on it was nothing what I expected. JJ Julius Son’s strong vocals led the hand. way as this quartet played an enerI’m late coming around to The gizing set with music reminiscent Lumineers, and while I’m not a of early ‘70s radio like early Allman great fan of their music per se, I Brother Band before they became a can appreciate the lyrical content jam band and even a tinge of Blood and Tears. David and some of the stories behind the Sweat Antonsson’s drum kept the beat up songs. along with Rubin Pollock’s lead Their set began with songs off their guitar that was reminiscent of the self-titled debut beginning with glory days of where they call home “Submarines” and then “Flowers in with a blues/rock sound that Your Hair” before playing their turned heads and got bodies movbreakout single “Hey Ho”. These ing. songs sounded fine but did not compare to the songs performed Thee Lumineerss Sett List from Cleopatra released last Submarines spring. The newer material shows a greater maturity in the writing of Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites. They played the title track next. For the first time since I can remember I found myself paying attention to the lyrics. Traditionally I’m a “music” guy who likes a song first based upon the melody. Often I will overlook the lyrics unless they patently offend me – which has happened and then I write it off.
I have a something to confess. I’m not the biggest folk or Americana fan. For the past five years or so it seems as if there has been a movement to return to the days of the Millennium. Back then we were overdosed by folk/Americana/acoustic – you name it slow moving songs thanks in part to the popularity of “O Brother Where Art Thou”.
ciate good music when I hear it and know good from bad without my nose aloft.
The Lumineers are the latest flavor of the month fro the indie rock/folk crowd. The band, a three-piece outfit plays a stripped down style of folk rock. Musically they are no different than anyone else in the genre. Lyrically however, they are. That’s where the I pretty much OD’d on the genre at beauty of this Colorado-based trio the turn of the century as my inbox resides. and mailbox were filled with music from everyone at the time jumping The trio, along with two touring on the bandwagon. I’m a weird members was able to take the music critic. I’m not very deep as Infinite Energy Center, a 13,000some critics claim to be. When I seat arena and convert into a lislisten to music I listen to the music tening room. Make no mistake first and the lyrics last. That is why about it the crowd was energized I am a bigger fan of some popular and into it but unlike other acts music that the standard music like Green Day who is scheduled to snob. That being said, I can appre- play a few days later, it was a more ENIGMA
“Cleopatra” is a sad story about missing out on life and the back story on where it came from is not only very sad but introspective from a third person narrative. Schultz was able to weave a web of emotion on this song as well as “Angela” and “Ophelia”. The newer material played well with the crowd with its narrative lyrics. The simple stage setup and lighting also kept the audience’s attention on the music and lyrics instead of overloading the senses with all sorts of nonsense. The band paid tribute to a few of their influences as they covered Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Walls” off of their 1996’s Songs and Music From the Motion Picture “She’s the One”. And the middle song during their three-song encore was Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” that was released exactly 52 years earlier (March 8, 1965). Especially with the latter one can see where The Lumineers get their influence. Opening the night was Iceland’s Kaleo who now call Austin, Texas home. Not knowing what to expect
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Flowers in Your Hair Ho Hey Cleopatra Gun Song Dead Sea Classy Girls Where the Skies Are Blue Charlie Boy Slow It Down Sleep on the Floor Angela Ophelia Big Parade Walls (Tom Petty and Heartbreakers cover) My Eyes
the
Encore: Long Way From Home Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan cover) Stubborn Love
- Wm. Alexander
Is Punk Dead or Am I Just Paranoid? Is punk rock dead? Those sentiments went through my mind as I watched Green Day perform in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Infinite Energy Center. As I looked around me all I saw was what punk used to fight against. Sure there was diversity there. There were 40-somethigs next to 20-somethings but many were dressed eerily similar wearing massed produced Green Day and
What is punk? Everyone has his or her opinion including me. And I’m not cool with that. My interpretation was always rebellion and individualism. As I gazed upon my fellow Green Day fans – one which I include myself, all I saw were conformists. They tended to dress alike, act alike and so on and so forth – something I thought was part of the punk rock rebellion.
When you look at the history of rock and roll it’s all about rebellion and individual expression. Unfortunately to a degree big business capitalized on this, turned it into a billion dollar industry, regulated it and packaged it to sell to the masses in many way ironically taking away individuality and to a greater degree of creativity. Whenever you hear the term punk rock you almost universally and especially me, think of the Ramones and justifiably so. The New York outfit epitomizes punk rock. Loud fast, iconic and a group of individuals with individual personalities that clashed all the time but put out some of the most influential music of that genre and rock and roll in general. Characteristics of punk rock include loud, fast, words of rebellion and a degree of humor and satire. While traditional radio-friendly songs are
©Dave Weinthal
rock and roll t-shirts. Kind of anti- I am reminded of a conversation I had with Marky Ramone, former punk actually. drummer of the Ramones who told I’m barely old enough to remember me there was more to being punk when punk first gained recognition than dressing the part. It was a in the mid and late ‘70s and had lifestyle he told me. And when I older friends even make fun of that asked him about the Sex Pistols crowd because they were “punk” in refusing to acknowledge their the early ‘70s in Philly and New induction into the Rock and Roll York. I listened and I appreciated Hall of Fame, he simply said, “The – just like the music that is now a Sex Pistols are the Spice Girls of staple in my collection along with a punk rock”. dozen or more genres. ENIGMA
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between three and four minutes (traditionally but no so much anymore), the Ramones and a lot of punk rocks songs clock in at just under two minutes with a longer song going two and a half. And while bands like the Ramones are universally loved by fans and critics alike they just didn’t sell like their rock and pop contemporaries. To give you an idea compare the records sales of the Ramones to Green Day, today’s punk/pop standard-bearer. The Ramones sold a total of 20 million albums. Green Day’s breakout album Dookie alone sold 20 million. And because punk was born out of rebellion most punk bands did not last very long. The Ramones stayed around 22 years with only two core members – Johnny and Joey and even their relationship was strained at an early date because
©Dave Weinthal
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The crowd was pushed up against the barricade that surrounded the runway, just a little closer than they could the main stage. Armstrong continually ran down and played and sang along on the runway within arm’s reach of the crowd. A few lines into the opening number he invited a female on stage with him. He proceeded to bear hug him and security got nervous but he waved them off and shared the microphone with her so she could help him sing the lyrics. As the song winded down he brought her to the front of the runway and with little prompting from the crowd she proudly stage dived.
©Dave Weinthal
of politics and of course women – or one woman to be specific. For punk there needs to be a certain degree of tension, be it internally or externally – a thrashing out so to speak. But as a genre the bands saw limited longevity and success minus a handful of bands and often those modified their original sound to be more consumer friendly.
Billie Joe Armstrong has one of the most distinctive voices in punk or any genre for that matter. Drummer Tré Cool has a distinctive style of play that is standard punk thus keeping the band firmly planted in their roots. But it’s odd in a way to see a punk rock band no matter how pop they may be to be selling out arenas. It almost seems the antithesis of punk that draws Green Day when they hit the scene most of their energy from the intiin the early ‘90s their sound per- mate settings of a club. But this fectly married punk with pop. was not the case on this night. Many critics credit them with helping relaunch an interest in punk as The set for Green Day was interesta genre. They mixed an upbeat fast ing if not a little odd for a punk pace with lyrics that were more show but in retrospect was able to pop oriented – being less political take care of a lot of those intimacy and more personal. It was a fine issues with the crowd I just menline they rode and without a doubt tioned. There was a long runway the most successful at it. Their jutting out from stage. Kind of odd first major label release and break- for a punk show in which the out album Dookie melded aggres- crowd is on top of the stage. But sive guitars and drums with pop being in an arena setting this actusensible lyrics with a bit of an ally alleviated the issue and edge. When the album came out brought Armstrong into the crowd. they were soon on every college radio station and a number of the After an energizing set by opener songs on commercial radio. They Against Me! Green Day was up to also benefited from a time when the task. They began the show with the alternative rock radio format “Know Your Enemy” in the tradiwas gaining popularity and not lim- tional stage set up. Then breaking ited to college radio. To say there from the stage Armstrong ran down was Dookie everywhere would be the runway and back, from one and understatement and a double side of the stage to the other. This entendre. As a music fan it was fun was more than a rock show it was to watch and listen. While punk a rock opera. pioneers like the Ramones and X were winding down or for all I got to see Green Day a few times intents and purposes throwing in back in 2000 and the only things the towel, Green Day ushered in a that has changed since then was new generation of punk standard their look is more polished and the bearers. The music was fun, fast, stage setup a lot bigger. The music loud and addictive. I’ve been a fan was still intense (in a good way) since Dookie. and the trio plus touring guitarist Jason White all looked like they 23 years later they are still going were having fun not only playing strong with the same lineup fans music but interacting with the have gotten to know since first crowd as best as they could. And hearing songs like “Basket Case” that’s how the runway came in and “Longview”. Their distinctive handy. sound has not changed much. ENIGMA
the band performed next. The song addresses what Armstrong feels is the overabundance of gun violence. The politics got deeper as the show went on.
Armstrong used his bully pulpit to assail President Trump, which was to be expected, as now seems the norm. But that is what punk rock is all about. The only irony I saw in it was that most rebellion is usually against authority or the status quo encouraging individualism, which in my personal opinion is why the last presidential elections turned out the way they did. Today’s “revolution” is ironically to keep status quo and preach conThe show was pretty much a retro- formity. That was no more evident
©Dave Weinthal
spect of the band’s almost 30-year existence while promoting the newest album released during the end of last summer, Revolution Radio. Revolution Radio is a return to the band’s punk roots with political themes rampant as evidenced by lead single “Bang Bang” which
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than by the crowd that was in attendance that were dressed “punk” but similar with their matching t-shirts clutching their 21st century pacifier – the smartphone. All politics aside it is a punk rocker to rail against the current administration and Green Day has had plenty of opportunity to do so as their career has now spanned five presidents of varying political thought although now it must be taken with a grain of salt as all
PUZZLE ANSWERS
©Dave Weinthal
Against Me!
members have cleaned up their act visually to appease a wider audience as well as their record label. While the message is the same the packaging is decidedly different which sends mixed signals. Despite politics the show was tight, packed with hits and rode that line
piece punk rock outfit that has numerous albums that have charted well on Billboard but only one single that has charted in America. The band is perhaps more punk that headliner Green Day with angry guitars, bombastic drums and short fast-paced songs. Their opening set was a great prelude of what was to follow and actually upped the ante.
Green Day Set List Know Your Enemy Bang Bang Revolution Radio Holiday Letterbomb Boulevard of Broken Dreams Longview Youngblood 2000 Light Years Away Hitchin’ a Ride When I Come Around Waiting Burnout Scattered Minority Are We the Waiting St. Jimmy Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover) Basket Case She King for a Day Bump N’ Grind / Shout / Always Look on the Bright Side of Life / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Hey ©Dave Weinthal Jude between anarchy and theatrics Still Breathing perfectly. Forever Now Opening the show was Against Me!, a punk rock outfit that unfortunately have made more news for lead singer/guitarist Laura Jane Grace’s gender dysphoria than for their music. The and is a four-
Chattanooga is home of the actions that generated the first Medals of Honor to six of Andrew's Raiders. The museum traces the “Paths of Valor” from the Civil War through the War on Terror. Discover the stories of nearly 3,500 recipients of our Nation's highest award for Valor.
National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History 368 Northgate, Chattanooga, TN Hours: Tuesday-Friday-11:00AM-5:00PM; Saturday & Sunday-1:00PM-5PM
Encore: American Idiot Jesus of Suburbia Ordinary World Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) \ - Dave Weinthal ENIGMA
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Bryan Ferry Seduces A Captive Audience raries and Bowie’s work in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s reflected upon this influence. Part of this of course was because Brian Eno who was a member of Roxy Music for their first two albums It’s been a while since Ferry’s Ferry, the cofounder of Roxy been in these parts and to see Ferry has a handful of songs the produced a number of Bowie’s casual radio listener will easily albums during this time period. recognize. Ferry and Roxy Music fans easily recognize the rest. What made this show and Ferry’s Their influence on popular music in general so seductive in music goes beyond their songs. more ways than one? Simple. They are one of the pioneering There is a lot going on in Ferry’s artists on what is referred to as music outside of lyrics and “art rock” and the genre of pop- vocals. Evidenced this evening ular “romantic” music paved the is the fact his songs encompass way for everyone in the ‘80s like the entire band not a single Duran Duran, ABC, Human musician or the singer itself. League and Talk Talk. Ferry and This was evidenced throughout Roxy music were contempo- the show as he stepped back and A well-heeled crowd waited outside The Tabernacle on a cold blustery night with good cause as they awaited entry to see Bryan Ferry perform.
Honestly this is a crowd I like to be around – a group that enjoys the music and the experience in and of itself.
signer’s sartorial style to even the crowd on hand. It was as if I was ushered into a different era – not time-wise, but other because of the overall ambiance.
©Dave Weinthal
Music not only helped define an era but also created a genre that no one can compare. While waiting outside I was approached by a hustler wanting to know if I had any extra tickets. Hustler you ask? Howe did I know? The next question he asked was who was playing. I politely told him. “What kind of music is it?” he asked. “Romantic,” I answered. “Very soulful with a groove,” I added as the line moved forward on this cold evening. As I entered the venue that I’ve seen countless shows in there was a definite feel of a more sophisticated crows. I didn’t expect to see anyone hanging from rafters raising hell, yet it wasn’t a listening crowd in the sense you could here a pin drop.
him in a more intimate setting that an amphitheatre brought the ambiance of the evening to greater heights. While listening I thought about my brief conversation with the hustler when he asked me what kind of music Ferry played and I realized I might not have gotten across what I meant. Sure, rock critics are good at labeling musicians into genres; after all it makes their job easier. Ferry’s music can be difficult to characterize in a simple genre or two. He and Roxy Music were and are (technically they are only on hiatus yet again) originals. On this particular evening Ferry brought a degree of elegance and sophistication to the venue that it may have never seen – everywhere from the music, the ENIGMA
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allowed other members of his ensemble cast to take the spotlight. And it was evident through his collective collaborative music that this is what raises Ferry above his contemporaries. Ferry’s music is fuller,
focus with 15 of the 21 songs performed were from their catalog, which is no big deal taking into consideration Ferry was the main songwriter and quite honestly without him there would be no Roxy Music. The night
©Dave Weinthal
“Avalon” and “Love Is The Drug” one right after the other, the latter a seductive dance number that brought back visions when there was more ambiance and dancing at a club than twerking and jumping around. It was a spectacular show to witness and Brian Ferry proved throughout his 45-year and counting career that elegance never goes out of style. Bryan Ferry Set List The Main Thing (Roxy Music song) Slave to Love Ladytron (Roxy Music song) Oh Yeah (Roxy Music song) A Waste Land / Windswept Out of the Blue (Roxy Music song) Bête Noire Zamba Stronger Through the Years
more robust and the ambiance it exuded was a throwback to a more sophisticated era without sounding dated. His music and vocals exude elegance and seduction that require the listener to take in or experience the whole experience and not pick and choose what they like best on this or that in a particular song. The Brit song stylist continues strong still releasing new material like 2014’s Avonmore and a remixed edition recently but this night Roxy Music was the main
began with “The Main Thing” from 1982’s Avalon then he seduced the crowd with “Slave to Love” from his 1985 solo album Boys and Girls. Included in the set was a truly soulful version of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” that Ferry with his seven-piece band were able to flesh out better than the original giving it more of an orchestral interpretation – taking nothing away from the original. The Roxy Music standards – or radio hits here included in the set as Ferry played “More Than This”, ENIGMA
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(Roxy Music song) Like a Hurricane (Neil Young cover) Tara (Roxy Music song) Take a Chance with Me (Roxy Music song) Re-Make/Re-Model (Roxy Music song) In Every Dream Home a Heartache (Roxy Music song) If There Is Something (Roxy Music song) More Than This (Roxy Music song) Avalon (Roxy Music song) Love Is the Drug (Roxy Music song) Virginia Plain (Roxy Music song) Both Ends Burning (Roxy Music song) Jealous Guy (John Lennon cover) Editions of You (Roxy Music song)
- Dave Weinthal
©Dave Weinthal
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Sting Makes It A Family Affair ten years ago, truth be told Sting has never really been a solo artist. Outside of a singer/songwriter, a true artist knows how to surround himself with a quality support staff, or dare I say a band. Operating in this fashion allows the artists or musical CEO concentrate on what he does best and what their loyal fan base wants. This was never more evident than Sting’s performance at The Tabernacle in Atlanta. Compared to most tours by Sting, this was perhaps the most intimate atmosphere he’s performed in decades. The 2,600-seat venue was packed to the rafters with folks wanting to see him as well as son Joe Sumner and The Last Bandoleros. Touring to promote his latest offering, 57th and 9th, Sting has
It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since a majority of us have been introduced to Gordon Sumner. Most actually know him better as Sting. Yes, it’s 2017 and it was way back in 1977 that the world became acquainted with a British trio named the Police who was fronted by a bass playing spike-haired blonde lad with a yellow and black striped shirt ergo the nickname “Sting”. The trio rose in the ranks and pretty much went on semi-permanent hiatus after the album Synchronicity that won three
some of his freshest material in years. It’s been over a dozen years since he released anything resembling a rock album and the new one indeed harks back to late ‘70s and early ‘80s Police in what I found a welcome change to all the jazzy/new age stuff he’s mostly done since the millennium. Despite being solo, Sting was not alone as his band upped the ante Grammys as critics hailed them as and energized the former Police the “world’s biggest band”. front man led by father and son Dominic and Rufus Miller. After the Synchronicity tour the trio went their separate ways Sting appeared in top shape on although never officially breaking stage actually looking younger or up. Sting as many know him is at least well rested from his last probably better known as a solo appearance at Chastain Park a few performer with a grocery list of years back. He began the night hits that range anywhere from with a fan favorite off of pop to R&B and jazz as well as regSynchronicity “Synchronicity II” gae and World Music where The and “Spirits in the Material World Police drew a lot of inspiration. “ from Ghost in the Machine before performing a majority of Despite over 30 years of being a the songs off of the new album. solo artist minus a Police reunion ENIGMA
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1. Old 97s 2. New Pornographers 3. Jocelyn & Chris Arndt 4. Muddy Magnolias 5. Cold War Kids 6. Father John Misty 7. Lorde 8. Weezer 9. Chris Cornell 10. Spoon 11. Delbert McClintoon & Self-Made Men 12. Mike Doughty 13. Goldfrapp 14. The Real McKenzies 15. Conor Oberst 16. Car Seat Headrest 17. Depeche Mode 18.Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ 19. The Lumineers 20. Five Alarm Funk
ADVENTURE PICKS 1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 2. Blondie 3. The Afghan Whigs
Peppered in with the new material was older solo stuff such as “All This Time” from 1991’s The Soul Cages. A few others ensued before he embarked on performing classic Police tunes such as “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon”. Son Joe joined him on stage as they paid tribute to David Bowie as the father and son tandem performed “Ashes to Ashes”.
San Antonio who performed a live version of “Next to You” that was featured on 57th and 9th, accompanied Sting. The band’s short five-song opening set was met with enthusiasm. Sting joined the quartet who released their selftitle debut EP a month earlier for their final song, “Where Do You Go?”
let him off that easy.
After a break just long enough to catch his breath Sting came back on not for one, but two encores. The first song he played was The Police’s “Next to You” followed by “Every Breath You Take”. The crowd wouldn’t let The Police front man off that easy as he came back for one more song. He finished the night with the final track Sting’s son, Joe took middle on 57th and 9th entitled “The billing. Touring promoting solo Sting closed out the set with Empty Chair” which he performed material the lead singer of Fiction Plane played a short set promoting his new single “Jellybean” mixing in songs from his band Fiction plane before giving way to dear old dad. Sting Set List Heading South on the Great North Road (Sting solo acoustic before opening acts) Synchronicity II (The Police song) Spirits in the Material World (The Police song) She’s Too Good for Me Englishman in New York I Can’t Stop Thinking About You One Fine Day All This Time Down, Down, Down Petrol Head Shape of My Heart Pretty Young Soldier Message in a Bottle (The Police song) Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie cover) (with Joe Sumner) 50,000 Walking on the Moon (The Police song) So Lonely (The Police song) Desert Rose Roxanne / Ain’t No Sunshine Encore: Next to You (The Police song) Every Breath You Take (The Police song)
Joe Sumner opened the show for his dad.
“Roxanne” that morphed into Bill Wither’s classic “Ain’t No Sunshine” before bringing it back. There was a buzz in the crowd as Sting finished the set, as it was obvious that they weren’t going to
acoustically with only he and his Encore 2: The Empty Chair guitar. As mentioned earlier first The Last Bandoleros, A Tex-Mex band from ENIGMA
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Regina Spektor Adds Politics Into the Mix I love music. I love politics as well… at times - usually not at the same time, however. Music is my escape from the mad world in which we live. I realize alternative rock became more political back in the ‘80s but it was never as barbed or self-serving as it has become today as each artist seems to want to get their personal opinion across and has one on everything whether ou want to know it or not.
lot into Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance but fortunately she was only allowed to perform. The most recent over the line performances come from an unlikely source: Regina Spektor.
Spektor has been playing sold out music venues as she tours around the states supporting her latest album, Remember Us to Life. The Soviet born singer/songwriter who emigrated to the United States as a child with her parents has called New York home since I honestly don’t care. has been an indie darling A lot of people tried to read a with her angelic voice and ENIGMA
mesmerizing piano work. With songs that evoke themes of love, exploration and hope she has unfortunately become another artist who has made political statements during her concerts.
sentatives. What Spektor does best is sing and write catchy, poppy and mesmerizing music. This was on display as well as once again a loud music hall was converted into a listening room as she began her set with 2006’s “On the Radio” off of Begin to Hope. She went in a darker direction with “Grand Hotel” off the new album. “Older and Taller” was next a lighter much more poppy song that was uplifting.
During her most recent tour she turned away from her piano and told the audience about emigrating to this country and she believes the world should be open and there should be no walls, an obvious attack in my opinion of President Donald Trump. Dear Regina, please leave the politics to the elected repre- As Spektor has matured as an
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of character reminiscent of Blue Lips another native New Yorker Tornadoland Nelly McKay. Bleeding Heart The Trapper and the Furrier Spektor finished the evening Better with one of her earliest Après Moi works, “Samson, a beautiful Ballad of a Politician tribute of love and you could Chelsea Hotel #2 (Leonard hear a pin drop during her Cohen cover) delivery. “You are my sweet- The Call est downfall / I loved you Sellers of Flowers first, I loved you first / Sailor Song Beneath the sheets of paper Obsolete lies my truth / I have to go, I You’ve Got Time have to go”. And had to go Small Bill$ she did. Too bad during the The Light evening she had to interrupt Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte the proceedings for political Pas) interjection slightly tarnish- Us ing a spectacular evening. The Visit Fidelity Reginaa Spektorr Sett List Hotel Song On the Radio Samson Grand Hotel - Wm. Alexander Older and Taller
artist she has gotten less indie and experimental and become more pop conscious. On Remember Us to Life she returns to her roots somewhat with songs as with “Bleeding Heart” that displays he unique vocal style mixed with quirky piano work.
Begin to Hope was well represented as well as she performed “Better” and “Après Moi” before “Ballad of a Politician” off of 2012’s What We Saw from the Cheap Seats and covering Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2”.
During the course of the evening she performed all 11 tracks like “The Trapper and the Furrier” were she displays great emotion in her vocals compared with a theatrical delivery of the music as she tell the intense tale. “What a strange, strange world we live in.”
“Small Bill$” is perhaps the most out of character song off the new album she performed as her vocal style in out of the ordinary in the cadence in which her vocals are delivered. It’s unique, out of character for her, but also quite addictive. It has elements of hip-hop totally ot ENIGMA
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THIS MONTH IN ROCK HISTORY 1877 Thomas Edison devises a telephone design that becomes the basis for his later claim to the invention of the microphone.
1963 Jan And Dean record “Surf City” with The Beach Boys providing background vocals. The Brian Wilson penned tune became the first surf song to reach number 1956 one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mitch Miller, music director of even crossed over to the R&B Columbia Records, engages in a chart where it reached #3. spirited debate with Allan Freed 1964 over the “potentially negative effects of Rock ‘n’ Roll on The Rolling Stones make their first teenagers” on Eric Sevareid’s live appearance on British TV’s news program on CBS-TV. Two Ready Steady Go! psychiatrists also joined the discussion. Miller made no secret of The Beatles receive $140,000 for the fact that he hated Rock music, the rights to having their pictures and was quoted as saying, “It’s not included in packages of bubble music. It’s a disease.” gum in the USA. Elvis Presley, accompanied by Bill Black and Scotty Moore, made his Las Vegas debut at the New Frontier Hotel when he opened for the Freddie Martin Orchestra and comedian Shecky Greene. Despite having “Heartbreak Hotel” at the top of the charts, Elvis was not well-received by the middleaged audience. Management of the Frontier was so unimpressed, they gave Elvis his walking papers after one week of a two-week engagement. Presley wouldn’t play Las Vegas again for almost 13 years. 1957 The Everly Brothers release “Bye Bye Love”, a song that was rejected by 30 labels before Cadence Records picked it up. The song went to #2 on the US Pop chart and #1 on the Country & Western chart.
version of the same song by The “I Me Mine”. Olympics had stalled at #81 the Paul McCartney announces a previous year. “temporary break with The 1967 Beatles,” citing “personal differNancy and Frank Sinatra had the ences” and adding that he will no #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, longer record with John Lennon. The Cashbox Best Sellers List and Paul disapproved of Yoko Ono Britain’s New Musical Express and of Beatles financial advisor record chart with “Something Allen Klein. When a reporter Stupid”. To this day, they are the called Lennon to comment upon only father and daughter team to McCartney’s resignation, John have a US chart topping single. said, “Paul hasn’t left. I sacked (“Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole him.” A week after McCartney’s and Nat “King” Cole reached #14 in announcement, he released his first solo album, spelling the end 1991) of The Beatles. 1969 The Fifth Dimension are awarded Twiggs Lyndon, the road manager a Gold record for “Aquarius / Let for the Allman Brothers Band, was the Sunshine In”, a medley from arrested for murder after he stabbed a club manager during an the Rock musical Hair. argument over a contract. At the 1970 ensuing trial, Lyndon’s lawyers Only Ringo Starr is present at the argued that he had been temfinal Beatles recording session, porarily insane at the time of the where he overdubs percussion incident and that touring with the tracks for “The Long and Winding Allman Brothers would drive anyRoad”, “Across The Universe” and one insane. Incredibly, Lyndon
1965 Bruce Johnston joins The Beach Boys, replacing Glen Campbell, who was playing bass on the road and singing Brian Wilson’s vocal parts. 1966 The Troggs use 45 minutes of spare studio time to record “Wild Thing” at Regent Sound Studio in London. The raw, simple little tune would climb to #2 in the UK and #1 in the US, selling over a million copies by the following June. In England, The Rolling Stones release “Aftermath”, their first LP to feature all original material. It would soar to the top of the UK album chart and stay there for eight weeks. The Young Rascals enjoy the first of 14 Billboard Top 40 hits when “Good Lovin” reached #1. Another ENIGMA
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was acquitted. 1974 Mama Cass Elliot collapses before an appearance on The Tonight Show where she had been scheduled to host the program. She was later taken to hospital on a stretcher. Ray Stevens releases what would be his biggest hit, “The Streak”. The novelty tune would make it to the top of the US charts next month. 1976 Folk hero Phil Ochs hanged himself at his sister’s house in Queens, New York. He was 35. The Who’s drummer Keith Moon paid nine cab drivers to block-off both ends of a New York street so he could throw the contents of his hotel room out of the window. 1977 ABBA earned their only number 1 hit in the United States when “Dancing Queen” went to the top. The song also led the charts in 13 other countries. 18 weeks after entering the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” made it all the way to the top spot. The song peaked at #13 in the UK. 1980 Three years and a day after opening its doors, New York’s legendary Studio 54 was closed for liquor license violations. Several months earlier, owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager were jailed for tax evasion. The club would reopened under new management in 1981.
2001 The cause of death appeared to be drug-related, but it has also been Joey Ramone, of the ‘70s punk 1984 speculated that foul play may band The Ramones, died of lym44-year-old Marvin Gaye was shot have been involved. phatic cancer at the age of 49. His and killed by his father after a real name was Jeff Hyman. 1997 heated family argument. Gaye had 2003 just received a Grammy for his hit, Songwriter Laura Nyro died at her “Sexual Healing”, his first Top 40 home in Danbury, Connecticut of Soul singer Edwin Starr, who had single in 5 1/2 years. Remarkably, ovarian cancer at the age of 49. hits with “War” (#1), “Agent Gaye’s father received only a six- Nyro wrote numerous hit songs Double-O Soul” (#21) and “Twentyyear suspended sentence and five including “Eli’s Coming” by Three five Miles” (#6), died of a heart years probation after pleading Dog Night, “And When I Die” by attack at the age of 61. guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Blood, Sweat And Tears, “Stoney 2004 Charges of first-degree murder End” by Barbra Streisand, along were dropped after doctors dis- with “Stoned Soul Picnic” and Michael Jackson was arraigned in covered Marvin Sr. had a brain “Wedding Bell Blues” by the Fifth a Santa Maria, California courttumor that would kill him in Dimension. room after a grand jury deterOctober, 1998. mined that there was sufficient 1999 evidence to send him to trial. The WWSH radio in Philadelphia All five members of Aerosmith jury handed down a ten-count advertises a No Michael Jackson visit shooting victim Lance Kirklin indictment, including four counts Weekend in response to the in a Colorado hospital before of committing lewd acts upon a singer’s overwhelming popularity. their show in Denver that evening. minor. The band dedicates “Living On The 1985 2015 Edge” to the student, who was one David Lee Roth quit Van Halen of 28 wounded and 13 killed by R&B legend Ben E. King passed shortly after releasing his version two deranged classmates at away at the age of 76. He was a of The Beach Boys’ “California Columbine High School in member of The Drifters and sang Girls”, which featured Carl Wilson Littleton, Colorado on April 20th. lead on their biggest singles, “This on background vocals. Roth’s Magic Moment”, “Save The Last record actually sold slightly better 51-year-old Darrell Sweet, drum- Dance For Me” and “There Goes than the original. He was replaced mer of the Scottish Rock group My Baby.” King also reached the by Sammy Hagar later in the year. Nazareth, suffered a fatal heart Billboard Top 40 seven times as a attack just as the band was solo artist, including his 1961 #4 1988 embarking on the second leg of a hit, “Stand By Me”. Dave Prater of Sam And Dave was US tour. The band had arrived at 2016 killed in a car accident near the Amphitheater in New Albany, Sycamore, Georgia while driving Indiana, when Sweet began feel- Aviva Maloney, who played in The to his mother’s house. He was 50 ing ill and within minutes went Monkees’ back-up band for nearly years old. The original duo had into cardiac arrest. He was rushed twenty years, filed a wrongful tersplit on New Year’s Eve, 1981 and to the New Albany Hospital where mination lawsuit against Micky Prater continued to tour as The he was pronounced dead. Dolenz, Peter Tork and Warner New Sam And Dave Revue with Nazareth is best remembered for Music Group. She claimed she Sam Daniels. their 1976 hit “Love Hurts”, which later found out that the reason was first recorded by The Everly she was let go was because she 1989 Brothers in 1960. didn’t look good on stage. Roy Orbison had his final Top 10 single on the US chart with “You Got It”, four months after he passed away. The song was written by Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty and appeared on Orbison’s “Mystery Girl” album that was released posthumously. “Come On Eileen”.
1983 After leading the Billboard chart for seven weeks with “Billie Jean”, 1991 Michael Jackson was back on top with “Beat It”. His ten week run at Johnny Thunders, the guitarist the top was interrupted for a who rose to fame with The New week by Dexys Midnight Runners’ York Dolls, died at the age of 38. ENIGMA
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