By Mike O’Neal
Staff Writer
The reaction of many fans when learning the Riverbend lineup included Sugarland might be described in a single word: sweet.
The band’s debut album, “Twice the Speed of Life,” has been on Billboard Magazine’s Top Country Albums chart for more than 80 weeks and has been certified double-platinum, having sold more than 2 million albums.
The Atlanta-based band opened with hit singles “Fly Away” and “Tennessee” from that album as cool river breezes blew over an enthusiastic crowd.
Some of those fans had come early to stake out a spot where they could either see the stage, a giant screen or both.
“I got here at 4:30 p.m., before the gates were supposed to open, to get a good place,” said Kellie McCrary, 37, of Chattanooga.
She and Rhonda Ledford, 49, of Dunlap, Tenn., said they have come to Riverbend for at least nine years and were disappointed about how reserved seating seems to be spreading at the main stage area.
“Maybe they should take the fences down and just bring in bleachers,” Ms. Ledford said. “There were more arguments (Wednesday) about where people were putting chairs and blankets.”
Reserved, or restricted, seating has made it possible to get a good seat for a headline act without having to arrive early and endure up to six hours of hot sun or, in some years, torrential rain.
“It’s my birthday present to him,” said Jillian Rice, 23, as she and Kyle Hudson, 22, looked for their reserved chairs in the Star Seating area. “He’s a big Sugarland fan.”
The Chatsworth, Ga., couple said they have been regular festivalgoers for several years.
“We’ve been a couple of times this year,” Mr. Hudson said. “We saw Hank Williams Jr. last Friday and came for Family Night (Tuesday).”
Riverbend 2006 is very big, in both attendance and revenue, according to officials with the event.
The combination of big-name talent and good weather has contributed to having capacity crowds that are very responsive to the music, according to festival spokeswoman Sallie Beckes.
“It’s the best Riverbend ever,” she said.
“We don’t have anything like this in Knoxville,” said Callie Hargett, 23, while selling ice cream in the shadow of the Oligati Bridge.
“I overhead someone say, ‘Honey, you behave yourself for an hour, I’ll buy you Dippin’ Dots,’” Ms. Hargett said.
The stroller set might want ice cream, but teens preened for strolling —; seeing friends and being seen was nearly as important as the music.
Self-proclaimed Sugarland fans, Georgian’s Christen Mitchell, 16, of Rossville, Bonnie Sprayberry,15, of Chickamauga, and Tiffany Pierce, 15, of Fort Oglethorpe, all wore cowboy boots Thursday.
“I wear cowboy boots on country nights,” Miss Mitchell said. “Other nights I’m in flip-flops.”
“I wear boots all the time,” Miss Sprayberry said. “This is my style.”
“I wear skirts and shoes other nights,” Miss Pierce said.
Miss Pierces’ mother, Tanya, wore tennis shoes Thursday.
Mrs. Pierce, who celebrates her 40th birthday today, said she has never missed a Riverbend.
“When I was 25 years younger, I would dress for Riverbend,” she said. “I’m over that, now it’s all about comfort.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
Staff Writer
The reaction of many fans when learning the Riverbend lineup included Sugarland might be described in a single word: sweet.
The band’s debut album, “Twice the Speed of Life,” has been on Billboard Magazine’s Top Country Albums chart for more than 80 weeks and has been certified double-platinum, having sold more than 2 million albums.
The Atlanta-based band opened with hit singles “Fly Away” and “Tennessee” from that album as cool river breezes blew over an enthusiastic crowd.
Some of those fans had come early to stake out a spot where they could either see the stage, a giant screen or both.
“I got here at 4:30 p.m., before the gates were supposed to open, to get a good place,” said Kellie McCrary, 37, of Chattanooga.
She and Rhonda Ledford, 49, of Dunlap, Tenn., said they have come to Riverbend for at least nine years and were disappointed about how reserved seating seems to be spreading at the main stage area.
“Maybe they should take the fences down and just bring in bleachers,” Ms. Ledford said. “There were more arguments (Wednesday) about where people were putting chairs and blankets.”
Reserved, or restricted, seating has made it possible to get a good seat for a headline act without having to arrive early and endure up to six hours of hot sun or, in some years, torrential rain.
“It’s my birthday present to him,” said Jillian Rice, 23, as she and Kyle Hudson, 22, looked for their reserved chairs in the Star Seating area. “He’s a big Sugarland fan.”
The Chatsworth, Ga., couple said they have been regular festivalgoers for several years.
“We’ve been a couple of times this year,” Mr. Hudson said. “We saw Hank Williams Jr. last Friday and came for Family Night (Tuesday).”
Riverbend 2006 is very big, in both attendance and revenue, according to officials with the event.
The combination of big-name talent and good weather has contributed to having capacity crowds that are very responsive to the music, according to festival spokeswoman Sallie Beckes.
“It’s the best Riverbend ever,” she said.
“We don’t have anything like this in Knoxville,” said Callie Hargett, 23, while selling ice cream in the shadow of the Oligati Bridge.
“I overhead someone say, ‘Honey, you behave yourself for an hour, I’ll buy you Dippin’ Dots,’” Ms. Hargett said.
The stroller set might want ice cream, but teens preened for strolling —; seeing friends and being seen was nearly as important as the music.
Self-proclaimed Sugarland fans, Georgian’s Christen Mitchell, 16, of Rossville, Bonnie Sprayberry,15, of Chickamauga, and Tiffany Pierce, 15, of Fort Oglethorpe, all wore cowboy boots Thursday.
“I wear cowboy boots on country nights,” Miss Mitchell said. “Other nights I’m in flip-flops.”
“I wear boots all the time,” Miss Sprayberry said. “This is my style.”
“I wear skirts and shoes other nights,” Miss Pierce said.
Miss Pierces’ mother, Tanya, wore tennis shoes Thursday.
Mrs. Pierce, who celebrates her 40th birthday today, said she has never missed a Riverbend.
“When I was 25 years younger, I would dress for Riverbend,” she said. “I’m over that, now it’s all about comfort.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
