This month is shaping up to be a big one for the growing local music scene. Loretta Lynn is appearing live at the Tivoli Theatre Saturday, April 8, Jason Isbell is returning to Track 29 Thursday, April 20 and Dawes is making a stop at the Revelry Room Sunday, April 30. Those three big names alone are enough to get a music fan in Chattanooga very excited, but the fact that some of the smaller venues in town are still able to attract big names to their stages is icing on the cake for a local live-music-lover.
Barking Legs Theater welcomes the return of banjo extraordinaire Noam Pikelny to its stage Tuesday, April 4. Having turned heads with his banjo skills since a very early age, the Illinois native has performed with Steve Martin and the John Cowan Band, as well as toured and recorded with both Leftover Salmon and his current band, the Punch Brothers. In his spare time, Pikelny has still found time to hit the studio and record four solo albums. The latest, "Universal Favorite," is his most delicate album and only features him. Touring in support of this brand-new release, Pikelny will more than likely pack Barking Legs once again.
In another end of downtown, JJ's Bohemia is bringing Aaron Lee Tasjan to its stage Friday, April 7. Tasjan has been a hot name as of late, recently making his late-night television debut with Conan O'Brien, as well as receiving critical praise for his newest album, "Silver Tears." Tasjan was a guitar prodigy at an early age, which led to gigs with an array of bands like the New York Dolls, Alberta Cross and Drivin' N Cryin', just to name a few. The Ohio native has spent most of his solo music career in Nashville, but took off to southern California to record "Silver Tears," his first album with New West Records. Delivering his own off-kilter style of storytelling in the mix of folk-rock and throwback country, Tasjan is finally receiving the attention he deserves. Catch him at JJ's before he's off to bigger venues, which could be very soon.