City Beat: Tribute planned for Keith Sherman

Saturday, May 24, 2014

photo Rick Williams, left, Keith Sherman of the band "Allen, Sherman & Williams" open the show at the AmSouth Bank Stage Saturday at Riverbend.

Keith Sherman was a fixture on the local music scene for decades. His deep, beautiful vocals were matched by his talent for telling a story with passion and believability. He died Jan. 14, and his many friends and colleagues who still miss him will gather at Rhythm & Brews from 4 to 8 p.m. June 29 to celebrate his life and his music and to raise money for the Healing Hearts Christian Horse Camp that Keith and wife Debbie established at their farm in Bryant, Ala.

One Saturday a month, kids in first through sixth grade can visit for free and enjoy Bible study, crafts and learning about horses. Older kids volunteer to help with the younger children as part of the camp.

The afternoon will center on music, of course, and a veritable who's who of well-known musicians have signed on to perform Keith's music as both a solo artist and from his days with Overland Express. Performing will be Roger Alan Wade, Tony Allen, James Rogers, Kim Forester, Lou Wamp, Jimmy Tawater, Kenny Foley, Chris Phillips, Bill Lee, Musical Moose and Overland.

That's a strong lineup, and it is especially cool that they will be doing Keith's songs. I can't remember a similar tribute for a local artist.

Actor Dennis Haskins, Overland's first manager and a Chattanooga native, will serve as host.

¦ Speaking of Haskins, he has a small bit in Seth MacFarlane's new film, "A Million Ways To Die in the West." Haskins calls the part, in which he plays a snake-oil salesman who gets gored by a bull, a dream role because he got to hang out with stars Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried and watch MacFarlane, who wrote, directed and stars in the movie, at work.

n Big River Grille & Brewing Works has created a new wheat beer in honor of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, set for June 12-15. The restaurant will host a Witcharoo Tapping Party at each of its locations on different days.

Proceeds from the beer sales will be donated to Junior Achievement. The first party will take place 5:30-7:30 tonight, May 29, at the downtown location, 222 Broad St., and the second is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at the Hamilton Place location, 2020 Hamilton Place Blvd. Patrons are encouraged to wear their best '70s-era outfits. The parties will include live music, food and raffle drawings.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.