By Mike O’Neal
Staff Writer
Musical royalty graced the Coca-Cola Stage on Saturday night as Angie Stone, a queen of gospel soul, and the group Jagged Edge, kings of hip-hop, headlined the second night of Riverbend 2006.
Maria Collier, along with friends Sabrina Franklin, Alexander Lewis and Connie Coulter, paid an extra $10 each for a spot in the reserved “star seating” area directly in front of the floating barge stage.
“It’s worth it,” Ms. Collier said. “I like Jagged Edge, but we’re here to see Angie Stone. We’ll be back Wednesday to see the Spinners.”
The foursome had little company for many of the long hours sitting under a blazing afternoon sun, waiting to see the headline acts to take the stage at 9 p.m.
“Right now, I’d really like to see some air conditioning,” Ms. Coulter said as she fanned herself.
Audience members fanned themselves, downed icy drinks and used umbrellas to shade themselves as they waited for Ms. Stone to perform her hits such as, “I Wanna Thank Ya” and “No More Rain in the Cloud.” The Atlanta-bred R&B quartet, Jagged Edge, performed favorites like “Where the Party At” and “Let’s Get Married.”
Saturday had higher temperatures but a smaller crowd than opening night when Hank Williams, Jr. drew what might be one of the largest crowds —; estimated by festival officials, emergency service and police to be more than 100,000 —; in Riverbend history.
“I thought Kid Rock’s crowd last year was big,” said Manny Rico, a member of Friends of the Festival and the Chattanooga City Council. “It was just slow-moving compared to Friday night. The Hank Williams crowd was gridlocked.”
Chip Baker, executive director for the festival, described Hank Williams Jr.’s audience as huge. “At least as large as for Lynard Skynard,” he said. “What impressed me most was how well-behaved the crowd was.”
Chattanooga Police Lt. Stan Allen said the crowd Friday was huge, but “I didn’t have time to count them.”
He said there were not “that many” arrests on opening night, possibly because there wasn’t enough room to move, and because it was so hot.
Temperatures Saturday dropped as the sun fell behind nearby mountains shortly before Ms. Stone and her quartet stepped into the barge’s bright lights.
Earlier, the heat prompted Ms. Stone’s production manager and engineer, Roy Brown II, to purchase a pair of shirts, not only as souvenirs but to wear during Saturday’s show.
“Mapquest told us how to get here, but it didn’t mention anything about the heat,” Mr. Brown said as he peeled off a damp, black shirt and slipped into a crisp —; and dry —; Riverbend 2006 T-shirt.
“I’ve been touring for 30 years,” the Hollywood, Calif., resident said. “I love this site. It’s nice, and I like the stage.”
While Saturday’s headline acts offered an urban sound, side stages offered the typical eclectic Riverbend mix of rockers, bluegrass and blues.
Bluesman Walter Trout, a favorite at the Bessie Smith Strut in 2004, wowed the crowd with flash and finesse on the Covista Stage.
“I love the blues,” said Stacey Walker, of Chattanooga. “I was headed to the Bud Light Stage, but had to turn around and come back when I heard them.”
When the blues band closed its set with the Don Nix song, “Going Down,” popularized by the Jeff Beck Group, both blues lovers and hip-hop fans awaiting the mainstage acts joined in applause and cheers.
TVA retiree Anthony “Tony” Price, 51, said he has never missed a Riverbend Festival. The band of his straw hat was decorated with pins from 1981 through 2006, and the veteran festivalgoer had found a shady spot near the VIP entrance for his folding chair shortly after the gates opened.
“It doesn’t matter who’s on stage, I’m going to be here,” Mr. Price said. “For the money, you can’t beat Riverbend.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Members of Jagged Edge perform Saturday night on the Coca-Cola Stage at Riverbend.
Staff Writer
Musical royalty graced the Coca-Cola Stage on Saturday night as Angie Stone, a queen of gospel soul, and the group Jagged Edge, kings of hip-hop, headlined the second night of Riverbend 2006.
Maria Collier, along with friends Sabrina Franklin, Alexander Lewis and Connie Coulter, paid an extra $10 each for a spot in the reserved “star seating” area directly in front of the floating barge stage.
“It’s worth it,” Ms. Collier said. “I like Jagged Edge, but we’re here to see Angie Stone. We’ll be back Wednesday to see the Spinners.”
The foursome had little company for many of the long hours sitting under a blazing afternoon sun, waiting to see the headline acts to take the stage at 9 p.m.
“Right now, I’d really like to see some air conditioning,” Ms. Coulter said as she fanned herself.
Audience members fanned themselves, downed icy drinks and used umbrellas to shade themselves as they waited for Ms. Stone to perform her hits such as, “I Wanna Thank Ya” and “No More Rain in the Cloud.” The Atlanta-bred R&B quartet, Jagged Edge, performed favorites like “Where the Party At” and “Let’s Get Married.”
Saturday had higher temperatures but a smaller crowd than opening night when Hank Williams, Jr. drew what might be one of the largest crowds —; estimated by festival officials, emergency service and police to be more than 100,000 —; in Riverbend history.
“I thought Kid Rock’s crowd last year was big,” said Manny Rico, a member of Friends of the Festival and the Chattanooga City Council. “It was just slow-moving compared to Friday night. The Hank Williams crowd was gridlocked.”
Chip Baker, executive director for the festival, described Hank Williams Jr.’s audience as huge. “At least as large as for Lynard Skynard,” he said. “What impressed me most was how well-behaved the crowd was.”
Chattanooga Police Lt. Stan Allen said the crowd Friday was huge, but “I didn’t have time to count them.”
He said there were not “that many” arrests on opening night, possibly because there wasn’t enough room to move, and because it was so hot.
Temperatures Saturday dropped as the sun fell behind nearby mountains shortly before Ms. Stone and her quartet stepped into the barge’s bright lights.
Earlier, the heat prompted Ms. Stone’s production manager and engineer, Roy Brown II, to purchase a pair of shirts, not only as souvenirs but to wear during Saturday’s show.
“Mapquest told us how to get here, but it didn’t mention anything about the heat,” Mr. Brown said as he peeled off a damp, black shirt and slipped into a crisp —; and dry —; Riverbend 2006 T-shirt.
“I’ve been touring for 30 years,” the Hollywood, Calif., resident said. “I love this site. It’s nice, and I like the stage.”
While Saturday’s headline acts offered an urban sound, side stages offered the typical eclectic Riverbend mix of rockers, bluegrass and blues.
Bluesman Walter Trout, a favorite at the Bessie Smith Strut in 2004, wowed the crowd with flash and finesse on the Covista Stage.
“I love the blues,” said Stacey Walker, of Chattanooga. “I was headed to the Bud Light Stage, but had to turn around and come back when I heard them.”
When the blues band closed its set with the Don Nix song, “Going Down,” popularized by the Jeff Beck Group, both blues lovers and hip-hop fans awaiting the mainstage acts joined in applause and cheers.
TVA retiree Anthony “Tony” Price, 51, said he has never missed a Riverbend Festival. The band of his straw hat was decorated with pins from 1981 through 2006, and the veteran festivalgoer had found a shady spot near the VIP entrance for his folding chair shortly after the gates opened.
“It doesn’t matter who’s on stage, I’m going to be here,” Mr. Price said. “For the money, you can’t beat Riverbend.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Members of Jagged Edge perform Saturday night on the Coca-Cola Stage at Riverbend.
