The Chattanooga Market

Dana Rogers’ musical style is an American mosaic of acoustic fingerstyle jazz, blues, good ‘ol rock n roll and many other influences that span most of the 20th century.

Dana has been performing for over a decade and in that time has played such venues as Soup Plus, the oldest jazz club in Sydney, Australia, and NY Singer Songwriter Sessions at legendary Manhattan venues, CBGB and The Bitter End. While living in New York City, one of the most memorable moments was when she was cast on the spot in an Off Broadway play, just after an open mic set. In tears, the Manhattan playwright walked up to her and said, “You have to do that song in my play!” She performed “Dreaming”, an original instrumental, and was very well received by New York theater audiences.

Dana has shared the stage with Sarah Lee Guthrie, Guy Davis, Ingrid Michaelson, Steve Poltz, The Waybacks and The Floating Men to name a few.

Jeans. T-shirt. Boots. Guitar. Tyler’s appearance is indicative of his style of music. Simple, straight forward and candid.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Tyler’s music is well rooted in Southern Americana. Growing up listening to his uncle play guitar and sing on the porch deck of a beach house, Tyler’s inspiration came at an early age. Tyler attended the Florida State University, where he became refreshingly dependent on his fan base. Paying his dues and performing in bars for eight years before recording his first album, Whiskey Down (February, 2008), he has tailored his music to the live venue.

His performances are infectiously enjoyable and fun. Tyler’s blend of Texas-style, raw country and Americana finds audiences that wait with open arms and raised glasses.

While other little girls dreamt of being princess brides, mermaids, or fairies, Jen Woodhouse performed in her parents’ living room in front of a captivated audience made up of her two younger sisters, various stuffed animals, and Barbie dolls. Whether she was performing in ballet and piano recitals, or just hula dancing for the neighbors, it was apparent at a very early age that Jen was a born entertainer. Since her sold out living room concerts, Jen continues to mesmerize audiences across the globe.

These days, Woodhouse has been keeping busy. She is currently on a 7-month tour in Asia, playing shows 6 nights a week. Fans can experience Asia with her as she documents her travels and performances on YouTube.com.

A recent Nashville transplant, Woodhouse has been ceaselessly touring and promoting her highly anticipated double-disc album, “The Shaping & Shifting of Objects & Sound.” Quickly garnering tremendous word-of-mouth support, Woodhouse’s sophomore album follows on the heels of her critically acclaimed 2005 debut, “This Honest Age.”

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Gary Pfaff & the Heartwells have recently been noted as one of the hardest working bands in the business. Touring with nothing more than their van, their music, and a vision as big as their sound, Gary & and the band currently tour over 200 dates a year.

Gary Pfaff was born a musician to a military family in Lahnsthul, Germany in 1978. He grew up listening to his Dad write songs on the piano every night, just downstairs from his room as he went to sleep. Like most kids, he wanted to emulate his father and began learning the piano. But by age 12 Gary switched gears to the guitar and began writing his own songs, landing his first paying gig by age 15.

On learning from his Dad, Gary recalls: “I remember heading up to Nashville (from Atlanta) with my folks for a family vacation at Opry Land and discovering country music. I’ll never forget tagging along with my Dad while he dropped off demo tapes to Ronnie Milsap and The Oakridge Boys. Back then I was too young to understand what we were doing there. But I definitely had a surreal flashback when I recently found myself pitching my own songs on the same streets in Nashville.”

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Sonia Leigh is a singer/songwriter hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. With gritty vocals and poetically compelling lyrics, Sonia grabs her listeners with her raw honesty and primal emotion, all while wearing her heart on her guitar strap. Sonia Leigh brings an electrifying excitement to the stage with her unbridled passion and rebellious charm. She easily and immediately establishes a bond with her audience through the sincerity of her haunting voice, soulful lyrics, excellent musicianship and sultry appearance. Although Sonia stands only 5′4”, her powerful stage presence belies her petite stature. Sonia Leigh’s bloodlines run deep in country music (her grandfather was a musician and songwriter) but she soon discovered Blues and Rock and Roll. As a toddler, Sonia banged away on her father’s guitar and by the age of 10, he had taught her chords and strumming techniques. Sonia was drawn to artists from various musical backgrounds, including Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lightning Hopkins, Brownie McGhee, Bruce Springsteen to Melissa Etheridge, The Cure, Everclear, and even Tupac. This musical upbringing serves as the foundation for what has become the unique sound of Sonia Leigh.

Sonia Leigh has written a diverse selection of music over the years.  Her first song was recorded at the age of 14 when asked by a family friend to write a song. After hearing it, he immediately set up a recording session at an Atlanta recording studio for a demo. By the age of 21, Sonia had recorded two albums, Remember Me (1998) and Laundry (2000). Sonia has performed all over the Southeast as a solo artist, headliner, and as the supporting act for well known names including Randall Bramblett, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Nettles, Kristen Hall, The Marshall Tucker Band, Georgia Satellites, and the Zac Brown Band.

Wurstbrats Oompah Band is a 20-member ensemble that has played in the Chattanooga area since 1994. They play 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, the Wurstbrats Oompah Band has earned the respect of accomplished ballroom dancers. However, they are also known for their 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 Wurstbrats have played for listening audiences, as well as for weddings, picnics, military reunions, and charity events.

Veronika, a native of Florida was raised with a musical influenced family.  She studied vocal lessons under a classical opera singer.  Veronika was often told that her natural singing talent was much to be admired.  She was introduced to acoustic folk music via television, where as most know in the sixties the style of music was very versatile.  Later she was encouraged to learn folk guitar.

Veronika taught herself how to compose songs, and her unique style grew to where she was now asked to perform at various community affairs.  She is her own Executive Producer of her recordings, tours and concert productions.

Her influence is such great vocalist as Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and renown folk musicians such as James Taylor, Odetta, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Keb Mo and the legendary Elizabeth Cotton.  Veronika’s love for folk music was just as strong as her love for R&B.  Now she has combined these two forms of music into a unique and rare style of music.

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Kylie Harris began singing and playing guitar at 13 years of age. After releasing two albums and receiving widespread acclaim in her native New Zealand, the accomplished singer, writer and instrumentalist decided to bring her talent to Nashville. First-time listeners and longtime fans alike are drawn in by her honest and soulful delivery, which has drawn comparisons to Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Linda Ronstadt, Roseanne Cash and the great Patsy Cline.

At 17, Kylie became the youngest-ever winner of the overall Gold Guitar Award. This high-profile win eventually lead to a recording contract with BMG. Her debut album, “Let It Be Love”, was a critical and commercial success, earning her “Country Album of the Year” and the “Rising Star” award at New Zealand’s Music & Entertainment Awards. Her second album, “Fancy”, also took top album honors at those same awards two years later. This success and recognition lead her to tour throughout New Zealand and Australia as the opening act for Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, The Irish Rovers and Charley Pride, whom she also supported here in the states.
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Thursday Market & Music Series @ Miller Plaza

Sean goes to great lengths to show people love.  When asked about his music, his reply is “I am called to smallness, to serve through music, not vice versa.”

Whether playing at a coffee house, stadium, corporate picnic or Christmas party, or speaking at a conference, SMC has a phenomenal ability to disarm any audience with his quick wit and engaging stage presence. He casts a lasting impression amongst fans and critics alike and has participated in 700+ events for companies, singles, college students, women’s & men’s groups, and youth groups across 22 states. And he’s only just begun

He takes his passion for music a step further with his involvement with World Vision, which is a relief organization that deals with the elimination of poverty for children around the world. He plays shows, and allows people to sponsor children at the show, as he does himself.

His experience includes appearing on the CD “Let the Nations Be Glad” with Scott Olsen and Sandi Patti, performing at the Gospel Music Association in 2009, and working on a new CD to be produced by the team of Ken Lewis and Scott Dente (Six Pence None The Richer, Out of the Grey, Amy Grant, Cindy Morgan, Ben Folds, Carly Simon, and many others)

Thursday Market & Music Series @ Miller Plaza

Lon Eldridge was raised in the small town of Spring City in East Tennessee. Growing up, he was always surrounded by family members who loved and played music. At age 13, he picked up the guitar for the first time. Ever since then he has crafted his music into his own unique blend of raw Delta blues, driving bluegrass, Gospel, ragtime, and mellow jazz (to name a few). Now age 23, Lon sings with a powerful, moving voice and plays more than ten different instruments, giving him a musical diversity that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lon has shared the stage with musical greats such as The Lovell Sisters, Mike Farris, David Crowder Band, The Mueller Family, Dan Landrum, and many more…