Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: Lisa, wouldn't it be nice if we could all say, 'Let's go away for awhile"? Maybe hop aboard the Sloop John B and sail on with someone who will offer an understanding "Don't talk, put your head on my shoulder." I'm waiting for the day because God only knows I just wasn't made for these times. But that's not me. Caroline, no (I know your name is Lisa, but work with me here), I'm here today, trying to figure out what these pet sounds mean. I know there's an answer and that you still believe in me.
LISA DENTON: Sounds like you're trying to add some music to your day, and I think that's wonderful. As you know, I have a cherry, cherry coupe (well, it's a four-door Focus, but I'm playing along). I wouldn't mind being a surfer girl so I could feel the cool, cool water rush over me as I catch a wave, even if I'm so not one of those California girls.
Ding dang, we could write a whole column just riffing on song titles by Brian Wilson. Sounds like fun, fun, fun.
BARRY: Yes, we could and I will be singing them all this week and probably the following as the genius himself performs Sunday at the Tivoli. He'll be doing "Pet Sounds," and about 25 Beach Boys classics, he told me in a telephone interview. Did I tell you that was a big deal for me? I'm a huge fan.
I was pretty sure I was going to go all Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney on "Saturday Night Live." You know, like, "'God Only Knows' is that true?"
LISA: He's a tremendous talent, to be sure. It's crazy that "Pet Sounds" is 51 years old. I understand he does the songs just as they appear on the album and that former Beach Boys members Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin are with him.
Another happy event coming is Chattanooga's first observance of World Laughter Day on Sunday. Folks are invited to gather at Coolidge Park starting at 2 p.m. to give their best giggle, guffaw, chuckle, chortle, snicker, snort, whatever they have to offer. There will be contests for the best man, woman and child laughter, and everybody is invited to stand around laughing for at least three minutes for no reason.
As you know, I have a low threshold for things that make me laugh, so this is my kind of event.
BARRY: And SoundCorps kicks off the NoonTunes series Wednesday at Miller Plaza with Lew Card. Lew did a Music Wednesdays (timesfreepress.com/music) Facebook Live episode with us awhile back, so if you enjoyed that, go grab some lunch and check him out.
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.