BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I don't know if you've noticed, but more and more when I look on our calendar of upcoming events, I see the words "Sold Out." At the recent Steve Martin and Martin Short show, Martin mentioned he'd seen those very same words stamped across the online advertisement for their show. He didn't deny the accusation, but he did say he didn't appreciate it.
LISA DENTON: Of course he'd make fun of the difference between selling out and selling out.
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY: It was one of many funny lines from their show. Anyway, Marty Stuart sold out his show last week at Walker Theatre, and The Indigo Girls and Shovels & Rope sold out their shows there this week. Rodney Carrington's show at the Tivoli is sold out this week.
LISA: And Cody Jinks sold out his show at the Signal so fast, they added another one, and it sold out too. I do feel a certain kinship with Jinks. Turns out he's from Denton, Texas. Rolling Stone named him one of its 10 New Country Artists To Watch in 2016, describing his sound as a mix of "tattoos, Telecasters and Texas twang."
BARRY: I've been described as a mix between "soft seat cushions, light beer and sawdust." I don't think they were being kind. I have to be honest and say I'd never heard of Jinks until hearing about how quickly he sold out his shows here. You know, getting rid of a reputation is supposed to be hard (it was college for Pete's sake), but we might lose ours for being a last-minute/walk-up town if this keeps up.
LISA: Nothing wrong with that. Shows have canceled because of poor early ticket sales, so this could be the tide changing.
There's a lot of gardening stuff going on this weekend too. Opening day at Ooltewah Farmers Market is Thursday, Crabtree Farms is having its Spring Plant Sale Friday through Sunday, and our buddy Bill Haley is planning the annual Plant Giveaway at his church, Daisy United Methodist, Saturday morning.
Speaking of churches and the great outdoors, pro angler Jimmy Houston will be the guest of honor for a Taking Faith Outdoors event Friday at First Baptist Church of Cleveland. They'll be serving a 2,000-seat Cajun dinner and giving away prizes for hunters and fishermen.
BARRY: Will you be taking the barge over? I told you that I dreamed that you got your dream job of being the harbormaster up on Soddy Lake, didn't I? Not kidding. You were so happy about it.
LISA: I'll be the only harbormaster in the state who insists everybody talk like a pirate. Avast ye! Aargh!
Get event details every Thursday in Chattanooga Now 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.