By Nikole Dugger
Staff Writer
Faith and family converged at Riverbend Tuesday night as Christian groups FFH and Audio Adrenaline rocked the fifth installment of the nine-day event.
The crowd clapped as FFH started its set with “Fly Away” and continued with “You Take the Wheel.”
“I think they have a unique sound, and I just like anyone who is able to reach a younger generation,” said Tracy Chastain, who shared the experience with her husband, Jeff, and six of their seven children.
Mr. Chastain said he was happy to be seeing Audio Adrenaline before the group’s farewell tour runs its course.
“A lot of Christian music artists have had the same style, like Amy Grant. But in the last 10 years, this type of music has been able to break through,” he said.
The music, atmosphere and absence of alcohol sales attracted Virgil and Kim McCoy and their son, Garrett, to the festivities. They purchased $5 armbands instead of pins and said Faith and Family Night was the only evening in Riverbend’s lineup that seemed appealing.
An opportunity to see FFH particularly interested 9-year-old Garrett.
“I like their songs, and they’re awesome,” he said.
Being a fan of Aaron Shust’s latest single “My Savior Lives,” Mr. McCoy said he was looking forward to the performance of the up-and-coming Christian artist.
Linda Christy and her husband said they have been looking for a way to parlay a visit with her sister, who lives in the area, into Riverbend participation for years.
Since arriving in town Saturday, the Charleston, S.C., natives have become well versed in concert-going and foot-long corn dog eating.
“It’s been so much fun,” Mrs. Christy said. “We’ve seen some great performances, and I’m a Christian, so I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Though security for Faith and Family Night does not differ from the rest of the events, Officer Tetzel Tillery said the Chattanooga Police Department was not expecting a problem.
“After tonight, it’s back uphill again,” he said.
By 5 p.m., Wanda Paris had staked out prime real estate next to the sidewalk diagonally from the Coca-Cola Stage.
“We have a good seat. You can see the stage, and the screens are here and here,” said Mrs. Paris while pointing. “We can’t miss.”
Meanwhile, her daughter Kristen, 12, and friend Taylor Boyd, 13, sprawled on a blanket and focused on a card game in between sips from water bottles.
Kristen found herself unable to pick a favorite when considering the food, entertainment and walking around Riverbend.
“It’s just fun,” she said.
E-mail Nikole Dugger at ndugger@timesfreepress.com
Audio Adrenaline performs as the main act on the Coca-Cola stage in downtown Chattanooga during Tuesday's Riverbend. Members of the band from left to right are Mark Stuart, lead singer, Tyler Burkum, guitar, Will McGinniss, bass, and Ben Cissell on drums.
Staff Writer
Faith and family converged at Riverbend Tuesday night as Christian groups FFH and Audio Adrenaline rocked the fifth installment of the nine-day event.
The crowd clapped as FFH started its set with “Fly Away” and continued with “You Take the Wheel.”
“I think they have a unique sound, and I just like anyone who is able to reach a younger generation,” said Tracy Chastain, who shared the experience with her husband, Jeff, and six of their seven children.
Mr. Chastain said he was happy to be seeing Audio Adrenaline before the group’s farewell tour runs its course.
“A lot of Christian music artists have had the same style, like Amy Grant. But in the last 10 years, this type of music has been able to break through,” he said.
The music, atmosphere and absence of alcohol sales attracted Virgil and Kim McCoy and their son, Garrett, to the festivities. They purchased $5 armbands instead of pins and said Faith and Family Night was the only evening in Riverbend’s lineup that seemed appealing.
An opportunity to see FFH particularly interested 9-year-old Garrett.
“I like their songs, and they’re awesome,” he said.
Being a fan of Aaron Shust’s latest single “My Savior Lives,” Mr. McCoy said he was looking forward to the performance of the up-and-coming Christian artist.
Linda Christy and her husband said they have been looking for a way to parlay a visit with her sister, who lives in the area, into Riverbend participation for years.
Since arriving in town Saturday, the Charleston, S.C., natives have become well versed in concert-going and foot-long corn dog eating.
“It’s been so much fun,” Mrs. Christy said. “We’ve seen some great performances, and I’m a Christian, so I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Though security for Faith and Family Night does not differ from the rest of the events, Officer Tetzel Tillery said the Chattanooga Police Department was not expecting a problem.
“After tonight, it’s back uphill again,” he said.
By 5 p.m., Wanda Paris had staked out prime real estate next to the sidewalk diagonally from the Coca-Cola Stage.
“We have a good seat. You can see the stage, and the screens are here and here,” said Mrs. Paris while pointing. “We can’t miss.”
Meanwhile, her daughter Kristen, 12, and friend Taylor Boyd, 13, sprawled on a blanket and focused on a card game in between sips from water bottles.
Kristen found herself unable to pick a favorite when considering the food, entertainment and walking around Riverbend.
“It’s just fun,” she said.
E-mail Nikole Dugger at ndugger@timesfreepress.com
Audio Adrenaline performs as the main act on the Coca-Cola stage in downtown Chattanooga during Tuesday's Riverbend. Members of the band from left to right are Mark Stuart, lead singer, Tyler Burkum, guitar, Will McGinniss, bass, and Ben Cissell on drums.
