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June 15, 2004
Random Riverbend Reflections: Part One
Some moments of note so far:
-Funky local boys Infradig put on a show almost as sizzling as the 95-degree heat the crowd had to sit through early Saturday evening. The very-much-appreciated-by-this-writer cover of “Organ Donor” by DJ Shadow almost made me forget the heat stroke I was experiencing. The nifty free sticker—which is now on my car—helped, too. Thanks guys.
-As I predicted, Todd Snider had already “had a few drinks” by the time he hit the AmSouth stage on Friday night. It didn’t hinder his performance, however, as Todd was as entertaining as one inebriated country/folk/rock singer with an acoustic guitar and no shoes can be. And them some.
-They don’t know it, but the Advil passer-outer folks have given me enough free samples of their Liquigels to keep me (and my entire neighborhood) headache-free for a full calendar year. Yep. And I’m gonna get more, too. Mwaahaahaahaahaa!!!
-The Royal Caribbean “inflatable commercial” boat has the best air conditioning I have ever experienced in my life.
-I actually witnessed a vendor give out a free cup of ice. Isn’t that against the code of traveling carnival and festival vendors? Shouldn’t that have cost at least 4 tokens?
-As I was thinking to myself, “I wonder just how old that virtually transparent banner is above the Children’s Talent Search stage,” all the children, their sometimes-embarrassing-to-watch parents, and the crowd were almost killed by a windstorm that was accelerated by the wind tunnel better known as the Market Street Bridge. Speakers toppled over, balloons popped, dust flew, and everybody ran for cover from what would’ve been the most bizarre tragedy in Chattanooga history. The wind also drove a steel pole out of another banner above the stage, causing it to swing dangerously close to decapitation height before a Chattanooga police officer yanked it out. Nice catch.
-If 14 year-old girls didn’t exist, Friday night (featuring the surprisingly dull Michelle Branch) would have been virtually devoid of crowds.
-In case you didn’t know, LL Cool J. likes the ladies, and his performance Saturday night proved that, yes, rap music can be a main stage attraction.
-First off, helicopters are louder than Randy Newman. Especially five of them. Please don’t tell me these were same helicopters that were selling rides. Who can I slap? Secondly, Mr. Newman, you should never burp on stage. Luckily, it didn’t get in the way of your great effort. Thank you. Lastly, the CSO sounded unbelievably great, especially (forgive me for not catching your name) the gentleman playing all the trumpet leads. Helicopters and burping notwithstanding, this was a very classy performance across the board.
-I know I’m not the first person to ask this question, but why, exactly, does WTCI broadcast live from Riverbend every year? If people want to go to the festival, they’ll go. If they don’t want to go, they probably don’t want to watch it on TV, either. I don’t get it. But, then again, I’ve never seen their coverage. Am I missing something?
Pulse Columns | By colrus | 09:39 AM
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Comments
They broadcast for those of us too lazy to brave the horrible traffic just to see the fireworks at the end :)
Posted by: rueyn at June 15, 2004 10:02 AM
And the stinky B.O. from all the inebriated masses.
I hate Randy Newman more than I could possibly hate any other songwriter. Nails on a chalkboard..
Posted by: cmwillis at June 15, 2004 10:15 AM
Yeah...The orchestral stuff sounded better...Mostly cuz he wasn't singing...I don't hate him, but I'm not particularly a fan, either...
Posted by: bcolrus at June 15, 2004 04:08 PM
I like his music from Toy Story the movie, other than that, I disagree with him philosophically . I, as a short person, do think short people have a reason to live and I got somebody to love...
Posted by: holton at June 15, 2004 10:30 PM
Sounds like fun.
Wish MY town had something fun to do like that. Alas! This place lacks culture (or anything even remotely resembling culture).
I get really bummed out by the all-too-pervasive faux flaky-flaky fakeness that encompasses my community like a tiny ice chest found floating in the Mississippi River into which a dismembered, corpulent walrus has been hastily stowed... or something.
Posted by: ron at June 16, 2004 02:37 PM
Couple of additions...
*I've been a huge Todd Snider fan since his first album & have had the opportunity to see him live twice in the past year. I call him "the 2nd greatest artist nobody's ever heard of" (the first being Robert Earl Keen). He does a fantastic show & everyone should like him & if you don't...you suck!! :)
*As a former WTCI employee, I can tell you they do Riverbend to "maintain a presence in the community". Personally, I always thought we did it so the staff could work for 9 days straight & then have to turn around & do Pops In The Park less than 2 weeks later. Ask me about the 1-2 years we didn't get Bessie Smith strut night on the air sometime...and the year we did, but almost didn't...great stories..at least to me!
Posted by: that chris at June 17, 2004 01:55 PM