Off the Couch: So much music and the last chance for 'scream break'

Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead and one of rock music's finest rhythm guitarists, will perform with Wolf Bros at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the Tivoli Theatre. The musicians are nearing the end of a 20-date U.S. tour. / Wikimedia Photo
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead and one of rock music's finest rhythm guitarists, will perform with Wolf Bros at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the Tivoli Theatre. The musicians are nearing the end of a 20-date U.S. tour. / Wikimedia Photo

LISA DENTON: Barry, we need to take a drive south this weekend for the Georgia String Band Festival at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun. Friday night's guest is John McEuen, a founding and now former member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. McEuen and company are responsible for one of my favorite songs, "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)."

I know we've quoted a lot of Merle Haggard in this space before, but there are lines in "Long Hard Road" (written by Rodney Crowell, by the way) that are just as lovely: "But Mama kept the Bible read, and Daddy kept our family fed / And somewhere in between I must have grown." Beautiful lyrics, beautiful harmony. You should hear me sing along. It sounds really good. In my car. By myself.

photo Lisa Denton and Barry Courter

BARRY COURTER: I have no doubt that the music you hear in your head inside your car is amazing. It is in my car as well.

McEuen is terrific, as is that song. A simple line that tells a whole family story. It's just one of the many good shows in town this week. Grateful Dead fans are no doubt aware that Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros are at the Tivoli on Friday. This is a pretty rare opportunity to see Weir.

Steep Canyon Rangers are at the Walker Theatre the same night. Jackson Browne has a sold-out show on Sunday at the Tivoli, the same night that Paul Thorn and Reckless Kelly are at Songbirds. Jason D. Williams is at Songbirds on Friday. And virtuoso guitarist Buckethead is at The Signal on Friday.

LISA: That's an impressive lineup. So much going on around town.

I do have to save tomorrow night for the finale of "Temptation Island" (10 p.m., USA Network) to see if former Chattanooga resident Katheryn Golden gets her man in the end. Last week's episode, the first part of the two-part finale, was a cliffhanger. Will John get back with Kady? Or will he pursue Katheryn? And can we see more of those adorable dolphins? So much drama. I'll have a story about it in Sunday's paper.

BARRY: High drama for sure. Also want to mention that the Island Life gallery at the Tennessee Aquarium opened recently and is getting high marks. It is really cool, and the kids love it. It's fun to watch them engage. Squeal actually.

LISA: Speaking of squealing, if there's anybody who can't wait until October for a few scares, the folks at Ruby Falls are doing a special "scream break" edition of their haunted Halloween town, Dread Hollow. The final night is Saturday.

I'll give somebody a scare - ride around in my car with me while I sing.

BARRY: No need to sing. The driving is scary enough.

Get event information 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.

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