Cee Lo to play Riverbend festival

photo Cee Lo Green will be the main act for Riverbend on June 8.

Riverbend officials hope things get a little "Crazy" when Cee Lo Green headlines the festival on June 8.

Green, the Atlanta-based singer-songwriter, rapper, producer and actor, has been added to the lineup, along with bluegrass trio Mountain Heart, blues guitarist Eric Sardinas and comedians/singers/songwriters Tim Wilson and Scotty Bratcher, said talent and production coordinator Joe "Dixie" Fuller.

Mountain Heart will play on the Unum Stage on June 9. Sardinas will perform during the Bessie Smith Strut on June 10. Wilson will play on the Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage on the same night.

Bratcher will perform after Wilson and also will perform during the Strut.

Festival organizers have tried to book Green for years, but things worked out this year because the star wanted to make himself available to more of his fans.

"He has a show in [Las] Vegas, and we heard he wanted to do some fairs and festivals so more of his fans could see him," Fuller said. "It's $300 or $400 to see him in Vegas."

Green is known for his work with Goodie Mob, Danger Mouse, Gnarls Barkley, including the hit "Crazy," and his solo hits such as "Forget You."

In Chattanooga, he will do a show "with lots of wardrobe changes and a cool band. It will be a lot of fun to see," Fuller said.

Assistant talent coordinator Jeff Styles said Wilson is looking to do less performing and more developing of new talent, such as Bratcher.

"Bratcher is one of his new acts, and he is the next big thing," Styles said.

Previously announced acts are country singer Jake Owen headlining on June 7; R&B/pop vocalist Brandy on the Coca-Cola Stage on June 9; contemporary Christian stars Newsboys headlining Faith and Family Night on June 11, when the a capella Voices of Lee will perform as well; country star Dierks Bentley on the main stage on June 12; and jazz guitarist Larry Carlton on the Unum Stage on June 13.

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

WHEN CAN I GET A PIN?

General admission pins, good for all nine nights of the festival, go on sale May 1 at area Kangaroo stores. They will be $32 until June 7, when they become $45. One-day admission will be $26.

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