Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I owe you a huge apology.
LISA DENTON: Several actually. But what are you starting with?
BARRY: I usually give you plenty of heads-up with a countdown and everything regarding the number of shopping days left until Christmas, and I also provide an easy-to-follow list of suggested gift ideas. I've done neither this year.
LISA: For shame.
BARRY: Well, there are six days left until the big day, and as always anything green and white that folds to fit nicely in a wallet is always a good choice.
LISA: I've actually been looking for just such a thing and not having any luck. I'll keep trying.
BARRY: Meanwhile, there are some pretty good live music acts this week in town. In fact, Revelry Room has three back-to-back with Boy Named Banjo on Thursday, followed by Channing Wilson on Friday and David Barbe and New Madrid on Saturday. Barbe is an interesting guy. Fans of music that has come out of Athens, Ga., in the last three decades may know that Barbe has been a part of it in many ways. He worked with Bob Mould. 'Nuff said for many people. He just released a solo record in addition to producing and traveling with New Madrid.
He told me he met New Madrid in one of the classes he teaches at UGA. A student brought them sort of for show-and-tell, and he liked them.
LISA: A real live band for show-and-tell? Give that kid an "A."
BARRY: Cody James Harris is at Puckett's on Friday as well. He is our Music Wednesdays guest at noon this week on Facebook Live.
LISA: Speaking of Puckett's, they're planning a holiday buffet for first responders and their families from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. This is for any firefighters, EMTs, police officers or sheriff's deputies who will be on duty on Christmas Day and won't get to eat with their family. If they come in uniform or present a badge or work ID, they'll get their meal for half price ($7). The rest of the family pays $13.99 for adults, $6.99 for kids 12 and younger.
And don't forget that Jennifer Nettles is bringing her Christmas show to the Tivoli Theatre tonight. Her latest CD is "To Celebrate Christmas." You know how much I love Christmas music.
BARRY: Me too. I even like the cheesy stuff.
LISA: Me too. Paste Magazine did a list of the 15 Worst Christmas Songs a few years back, and they actually dissed "The Chipmunk Song." Who doesn't like chipmunk voices?
BARRY: It's good once a season. Kinda like eggnog.
LISA: But I do agree with the top pick: "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Never liked it - not gonna lie. Grannies deserve respect.
BARRY: Says Granny Denton.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.