Riverbend Preview: Friday, June 5th

So you've got your Riverbend brochure in hand, but it's still hard to decide if a band is worth hiking through the crowd to see.  Well, here's your guide.

Tonight we've got some hit country music, modern rock, string band jazz, and a 60's Golden Oldie. 

FIRST, MY RECOMMENDATIONS

It's rare that you get an act at Riverbend that's had hits on the chart this year.  But Jake Owen is riding high on the country charts.  See him while he's still hot.

For my spice pick , I generally go young.  But this time, it's a soul music diva who's finally getting her due, Bettye LaVette.

DEEP BLUE SUN

6:15-7:30

Bud Light Stage (Olgiatti Bridge)

This Georgia group is proud to work the Jam band circuit in the southeast.  Their strategy is to mix southern swamp and funk with West Coast Psychedelia.

Here is what it sounds like.

Jake Owen

7:45-9:00

Bud Light (Olgiatti Bridge)

The Coca-Cola stage is loaded with acts who had big hits back in the day.   But here is an act that has them right now.

Jake Owen's first single was a hit back in 2006 (Yee Haw).  Here he is singing this year's hit (without the band), Don't Think I Can't Love You.

Infinite Orange

9:15-10:30

Tn Valley Credit Union (Under Walnut)

A chance to finally sample one of Chattanooga's local bands.  They're Riverbend veterans by now.

Check out this performance two years ago.

The Tennessee Shieks

9:15-10:30

TN Valley Credit Union Stage (Under Walnut)

A Knoxville string band, of sorts.

They play music from the last century, before we split it up into genres like jazz, country, blues.

They're mixing new compositions with American classics.

It's rooted in America, but band members call this World Music because of French, Cuban, Scicilian and even Hawaiian influences.

Take A Listen. 

9:30- 11:00

Unum Stage (Hunter Museum)

This show is a last minute subsitution.

60's Brit singer Chip Hawkes is out, and soul diva Bettye Lavette is in.

For me, it's a major upgrade.

Lavette had one of the great, star-crossed soul careers.

She came out of the gate in the early 60s with two promising hits, but her career fizzled in a treadmill of new record companies.

Finally, at the turn of the century, Bettye got her due with the critically adored release "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise" in 2005.

These days, she's making up for lost time as a national treasure (including a duet with Jon Bon Jovi at the Obama Inauguration).

Here is a strong performance of the song "Choices" from her most recent album.

And this just could be the pinnacle of her career, January 18, 2009.