LISA DENTON: Barry, a concert coming up Thursday may be the best example I know of keeping a good thing going when you've got a good thing going. I'm talking about Vince Gill's A Song for the Children, a concert he headlines here every year to benefit the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County.
This time, I expect he'll preview songs from his upcoming album, "Down to My Last Bad Habit." I need to find out his secret to getting down to just one bad habit. I still have several.
BARRY COURTER: He's done this for 14 years, which is a long time for almost anything, but it shows his level of commitment to the center. I've talked to him in the past, and he comes across as very passionate about doing this. He's also very talented.
As far as bad habits go, if I wrote a song about mine it'd be more about swapping this one for that one. Elimination doesn't seem to be an option.
There is another country star doing a benefit this week as well. Charles Kelley, Lady Antebellum's frontman who has taken a break from the trio to do a solo thing, is at Revelry Room on Wednesday night. It's another in the US101 Concert for a Cause series.
LISA: This month's concert raises funds for the Hunter Worley Foundation, which offers spiritual and financial support to families who have lost a child. A worthy cause indeed.
I read where Lady A fans got a little nervous when they heard Kelley was working on a solo project, but he and his bandmates insist they're not busting up. It would be hard to leave that kind of success behind, I would think.
It's funny because he got help from Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay on his first single, "The Driver." So, yeah, he left a trio and formed another trio for his solo debut.
BARRY: That is a little unusual, isn't it? But it seems to have worked. The song and the trio got a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
LISA: If you're thinking about taking the Schwinn out for a joy ride, Outdoor Chattanooga is starting a series of Winter Workshops on Thursday. The first session covers bicycle maintenance. I don't do a lot of winter bike riding, but I know there are plenty of people in town who do.
BARRY: Well, with those new fancy bike lanes the city put in, I can see why. Seriously, the workshops are a good idea.
Also, don't forget Grace Potter is Wednesday at Track 29, Della Mae is at The Camp House on Thursday and Those Darlins are at JJ's Bohemia on Friday.
And the Back Inn Cafe is hosting a whiskey tasting and food pairing event. Two of my favorite things in one of the prettiest parts of the city.
LISA: Pace yourself there, cowboy. This is a chance to learn about distillation methods and regional flavors. You can't just go and gulp it down.
By the way, did you know you can make ice cubes with leftover whiskey?
BARRY: What's leftover whiskey?
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.