Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
LISA DENTON: Barry, I'm still figuring out some of my Riverbend plans this week, but I'm thinking I'd better not miss AMF Wrestling on Saturday night under the Olgiati Bridge. That's the outfit from Ringgold, Ga., that made the news last week after a woman entered the ring at AMF's regular monthly show and pulled a loaded gun on Nature Boy Paul Lee.
I swear it wasn't me.
Apparently, she was upset because Lee was getting the best of good-guy Iron Mann - had him tied up and was beating him with a chair, as a matter of fact. And if that wasn't enough, he was smarting off to this fan. And, well, she just had enough. So she climbed into the ring, cut Iron Mann loose with a knife, then aimed a pistol at Lee.
I know she's in trouble, and I'm not making light of aggravated assault charges, but I think they ought to put her in the ring with Lee - after she's been frisked for weapons, of course. Talk about a grudge match. I don't know who to bet on because I figure they're both still riled up.
BARRY: She went Granny Clampett on him, didn't she? And I'm with you - now I have to see it.
LISA: On Thursday, I need to see Salt-N-Pepa on the Coke Stage. You may recall that Pepa's real name is Sandra Denton, so maybe she's some long-lost Jamaican relative.
BARRY: I've just assumed you were related.
LISA: It's probably because we both have that glamour thing going on. I'm thinking I could try out my rap skills on her. Well, mine are actually wrap skills Gifts. Leftovers. Sprained ankles. But I sang along every time I heard "Push It" in that Geico commercial.
BARRY: I'm really excited about their show, and it's the same night that Umphrey's McGee is playing. Folks who've never seen a true jam band, this is another chance. Widespread Panic played last year, of course, and Umphrey's is another of the top bands on the circuit.
LISA: Thursday is also the night to see The Bird Dogs do their Everly Brothers tribute and The Purple Xperience pay homage to Prince. Yes, my musical tastes are all over the map. There's some time overlap on those two shows, though, so maybe I should plan to catch The Bird Dogs in a Riverbend Outreach set at Puckett's at 1 p.m. Thursday.
BARRY: Friday and Saturday are strong for me. Shovels & Rope is a favorite, but Fishbone, Jim Lauderdale, Doyle Dykes and Roger Alan Wade are also on the bill. And it wraps up Saturday with The Shack Band, Congress and Here Come the Mummies.
LISA: Here Come the Mummies? Finally an act that can use my wrap skills.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.chattanooganow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
