It was about 100 degrees out today, and the forecast for the next few days isn’t much better, but don’t let that stop you from going out to hear some great live music. With Riverbend over, the local music scene explodes again, both at indoor venues and outdoor ones, too.

For a few indoor events, try Bud’s Sportsbar, as local faves Bounty Hunter play both Friday and Saturday night. Downtown, the Micks, fresh off a great Riverbend show, come to Sugar’s for the weekend. Up in Cleveland, Southlander hit’s Angelo’s Sportsbar on Friday, and Convertibull will be at Pokey’s, also on Friday.

You can head to the lake and catch Milele Roots, at Top Of The Dock on Saturday night, or go to Nightfall downtown on Friday night and see the Young Dubliners and More Like Me.

JJ’s Bohemia, located downtown on MLK has a full slate of music in store, with another local fave, Strung Like A Horse, on Friday night, along with The Memphis Dawls, and Another Roadside Attraction.

Crowd favorites for many, many years, The Velcro Pygmies, make their return to Rhythm & Brews on Friday night. On Saturday night, one of my favorites, Pee Wee Moore and the Awful Dreadful Snakes comes to Rhythm & Brews.

Charles & Myrtles plays host to Marshall Chapman on Saturday night. To date she has released twelve critically acclaimed albums, and her songs have been recorded by everyone from Emmylou Harris and Joe Cocker to Irma Thomas and Jimmy Buffett.

Down on the Southside, Monkey Shine will be at the Southside Saloon this Saturday night. A block away at T-Bones, Robert Holifield will perform on Friday, with another of my favorites, Gabriel Newell and Muddy Soul on Saturday. Be sure and say a big hi to bartender Geno!

If you live near Ringgold, or even if you don’t, two very popular acts will be at the Acoustic Café there this weekend, with Queen B and the Well Strung Band on Friday, and Nathan Farrow on and Davey Smith on Saturday. These two acts just finished a super Riverbend set and are fired up!

East Ridge is hosting their first Liberty Fest this Saturday at Camp Jordan and they have got big time local music acts for your enjoyment. Opening at 10:00 a.m., Liberty Fest is just $10 per car, so load up the MGB with up to six people and head out there. They have Roger Alan Wade, Cody McCarver, Nathan Farrow, Davey Smith, Chris McDaniel, the Stratoblasters, JoyScout, the Heather Luttrell Band, Derrick Cook, the Grass Harpers, and more! Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, and there will be fireworks after the music! Just $10 per car, up to six people.

Sunday, as always during the season, the Chattanooga Market has free live music, and this week features Jeff Miller, Lon Eldridge, and Garrett Thornton, beginning at noon.

For the big finale, I have saved a special benefit for this Sunday at Sugar’s BBQ Downtown. Starting at 5 p.m., the Power Players Show Band, Roger Alan Wade, Gypsy Parade, Milele Roots, and Glowing Bordis will each play one hour sets. The suggested donation for the entire evening of music is just $4. (Not a typo, it reads four dollars!)  This tribute to the late Terry Miller will help with medical bills incurred during his illness.  Air conditioned, too!

Speaking of air conditioning, on Wednesday, I stopped by Zarzour’s Café, behind the Main Street fire hall. The oldest restaurant in Tennessee has music memorabilia there you wouldn’t believe. But guess what else they have– anticipating the super-high temps, they went out installed yet another A/C unit to handle the triple digit temperatures – before the heat wave. Way to stay on top of things, Shannon & Dixie. They are open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mon-Fri and there is no charge to look at all of the music memorabilia.

So, here is the crux of the whole story – there is plenty of live music in the area this weekend. You can have a big time on Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday, and cap it off Sunday night. Take your pick – the fresh outdoors or cooler indoors - either way makes for a good time. Don’t let a little warm weather deter you - we are Southerners, so get out there and have some fun.   

For more fun, local music info, try http://chattanooganightscope.com, or http://www.chattanoogaentertainers.com. They both have great local music info and schedules. For local info on Country music, try Jim Boles’ site at http://chattacountry.ning.com .

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com  or www.facebook.com/davrik2000