2008 « The Chattanooga Market

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at the Chattanooga Market!

On Stage 12/6 – Eric Brace and Peter Cooper

Eric Brace is frontman and principal songwriter for the acclaimed roots-rock band Last Train Home, and half of the Eric Brace & Peter Cooper duo. For more than a decade, LTH has toured the country and racked up great reviews for its seven CDs and its recent live DVD.
Initially from Washington D.C., where he was the nightlife columnist and arts reporter for The Washington Post, Eric is now a proud resident of East Nashville, where he and his band moved in 2004. Since relocating to Music City USA, Last Train Home has continued to impress, appearing on the CBS’s “Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” the syndicated public radio program “Mountain Stage,” and on stage opening for the likes of Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.
Besides his own compositions, Eric has written songs with some of Nashville’s finest, such as Jim Lauderdale and Walter Egan. He recently formed the Red Beet Records label, releasing two compilation CDs of music from East Nashville as well as Peter Cooper’s debut “Mission Door.”

Continue reading On Stage 12/6 – Eric Brace and Peter Cooper

On Stage 12/7 – Sweet Georgia Sound

The Sweet Georgia Sound is a 20-member ensemble that has played in the Chattanooga area since 1994. SGS plays a variety of listening, dance, and ballroom dance music that includes classic and modern big band, swing, Latin, and waltz tunes.

In the Chattanooga area, Sweet Georgia Sound has earned the respect of accomplished ballroom dancers. However, Sweet Georgia Sound is also known for its ability and willingness to customize the musical program to meet the needs and preferences of its audience. Songs are selected and tempos are adjusted in order to accommodate the dancing abilities of those in attendance.

The Sweet Georgia Sound has played for listening audiences, as well as for weddings, picnics, military reunions, and major charity events.

On Stage 12/7 – Uptown

The Uptown Big Band, Chattanooga’s classic salute to the Big Bands of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, will be performing at the Chattanooga Market this weekend.

The band, under different names, has been featured at Riverbend, Downtown Chattanooga Rhythm and Noon Concert Series, SwingFest, the Saturday Concert Series at the Chattanooga Public Library and other venues for many years.

Originally formed by musically inclined employees of Unum Group, the ensemble now is a stand-alone group made up of talented musicians from the region. The band is under the direction of Jim Ransom, a long-time music educator.

On Stage 11/30 – Tim Thompson

Tim Thompson captures the prestigious 2nd Place title in the International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition at the famous Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield Kansas, September 2007!

As a professional musician working in a competitive industry, Tim Thompson has learned to play his strengths in more than one area of the business. Not only is he considered a guitar virtuoso and talented singer/songwriter, he’s also a much sought after and very busy independent producer and session player. Thompson is a popular performer and is seen playing often at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe. He has been featured twice in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine in the last two years as well as Taylor Guitar’s Wood And Steel, and also had his arrangement and performance of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” used in the movie, Casper’s Haunted Christmas along with artists Ricky Van Shelton and Deana Carter. Thompson has contributed several articles to Mel Bay and Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, and also released a jazz guitar DVD for Mel Bay. While in Nashville, Tim wrote for a publishing company for three years.

Tim is currently engineering and performing on a Chet Atkins Tribute Album featuring Mark Knopfler, Brent Mason, Richard Smith, Charlie McCoy, Paul Franklin, Pat Bergeson and Doug Jerningan.

Thompson’s endorsements include the following companies; Aphex, Elixir, Taylor Guitars, Batson Guitars, Peavey, Creation Audio Labs, Visual Sound, Fred Kelly Picks, Neck Up, G 7th and George L.

Tim is also available for songwriting workshops, guitar clinics and in-store performances.

On Stage 11/30 – Larry Allen Brown

Born and raised in Chicago, Larry has had a long career as lead guitarist for a variety of groups. Heavily influenced by Dave van Ronk, John Fahey, and Martin Simpson, Larry embarked upon a solo career as a composer and performer on the acoustic guitar ten years ago. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Larry released Cobb Lane in 2000, and just released his second CD, Music for the High Country – The Soundtrack of Blowing Rock. The music is a blend of original compositions, as well as traditional classics, arranged in Larry’s unique style, encompassing both his solo acoustic guitar, and his outstanding chamber ensemble, known as the Acoustic Earth Orchestra. Music for the High Country has been endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce of Blowing Rock, NC as their official soundtrack. Larry teaches in Birmingham, Alabama where he resides with his wife Kathryn and their dogs, Dipstick and Murphy.

Larry has been a guest artist with Alasdair Fraser, Michael Manring, and Ken Bonfield, and participates in Ken Bonfield’s Artistry of the Guitar program. He has been teaching the guitar for the past 25 years.

On Stage 11/23 – Wendy Newcomer

Wendy Newcomer is an Americana/country singer-songwriter originally from Asheboro, North Carolina, now living in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2006 she released her self-titled CD, with original songs influenced by heroes including Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Guy Clark and Tom Petty; and interpretations of songs by some of her favorite writers.
She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2000 and released her debut EP, “Raised On Promises,” in 2004. In 2005, Newcomer was a semi-finalist in the ASCAP-sponsored International Songwriting Competition.
In 2007 Newcomer was selected to play the RedGorilla Music Fest and the Atlantis Music Conference and Festival. In April 2008 she was a winner in the MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. She’s currently a featured artist on AOL Music and OurStage.com.
Newcomer performs around the southeast and southwest, is an in-demand demo and session singer, and has also recorded regional voiceovers and jingles. She’s now writing songs for her next album.

On Stage 11/23 – Tori Sparks

Tori Sparks calls Nashville home, but spends most of her time on the road in the U.S. and Europe. Called “a knockout” by the Village Voice, her dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and zany stand-up-style humor.

Tori’s latest album “Under This Yellow Sun” was produced by indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Cowboy Junkies), and features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Aaron Sands (Jars of Clay), and John Deaderick (Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams). The album has been praised by Relix, All Music Guide, Performing Songwriter, Creative Loafing, XM Radio, and countless others for its depth and diversity.”Under This Yellow Sun” was recently licensed to MTV, Lifetime, and Oxygen Networks for use in their 2008 television programming. Tori’s single “Cold War” is included on the Universal Music France double-disc compilation, released internationally in March 2008, which has sold 25,000+ copies to date. “Cold War” is also featured on the Paste Magazine New Music Sampler for June 2008.

Please see www.torisparks.com or www.myspace.com/torisparks for more information.

On Stage 11/23 – Treva Blomquist

Once a Seattle resident, Treva Blomquist is now a Nashville local and has quickly risen to the top of an endless pool of talent that inundates Music City. Treva’s ability to seamlessly weave a tapestry of folk and soul, dye it indigo blue, and adorn it with the occasional sparkling sequin of pop has earned her considerable recognition among artists and critics alike. Her songwriting is rock solid and mature, often earning favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith. Treva is comfortable and compelling performing as a solo act, in front of a small string section, or shaking the walls of any rock venue in town with her band, The Suits.

Although Treva’s brilliant songwriting and impressive guitar chops distinguish her from other artists in her genre, it is her voice that places her in a league of her own. Treva’s range is wide and her timbre is as focused and as pure as a trumpet, and just as powerful. But it is the integrity and authenticity embedded within her lyrics and the passion and soul conveyed through her voice that are truly the most inspiring. Treva possesses a rare talent that is often sought after but rarely obtained.

Continue reading On Stage 11/23 – Treva Blomquist

On Stage 11/16 – Sadie Blu

Sadie Blu was born August 6, 1989 in Dothan, Alabama. An only child and daughter of a preacher, she moved around quite frequently with her parents. When she was nine years old, Sadie and her family relocated to Columbia, South Carolina.. While listening to the city’s local college radio station, she discovered a style of music called the Blues. She quickly became infatuated with the Blues and Rock & Roll, a world that had seemingly been hidden away by church hymns. Artists such as John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Etta James, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix became guiding lights for this young musician.

When Blu was 12, she purchased a new guitar with money she had saved from making and selling her own jewelry. She then took formal lessons for about a year. Before long, she began to write her own songs, but was too shy to share them, even with her parents. During her mid-teen years, while living in Milton, Florida, Sadie would attend hootenannies held at an antique store near her house on weekends. While most teenagers preferred to socialize within their own age group, Sadie spent her spare time learning and sharpening her craft with people decades her elder.

After much encouragement from her parents, Sadie recorded a few of her self penned songs alone in her garage. The four song demo began to circulate and talk of Sadie Blu’s music began to spread around town. Reluctantly, the shy 17 year old agreed to play her first public performance at the local River Walk Festival on the 4th of July of 2007. Soon, there after, Unity Artist Management , based out of Atlanta, picked Blu up.

Continue reading On Stage 11/16 – Sadie Blu