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Local Chattanooga, Tennessee Music Scene Chattanooga, Tennessee is an often over-looked music scene due to the fact it's smaller and is not as much in the national spotlight as Nashville. But it's been a haven of talented music professionals for over a century. The Chattanooga Music Club was established in 1896. This group was responsible for organizing the Cadek Orchestra, The Cadek Symphony, The Chattanooga Symphony and The Chattanooga Orchestral Club. It also became involved with the Opera Association in the 1940s. The CMC continues to present many unique shows for annual events. The swing classic "Chattanooga Choo Choo" helped put the town on the musical map during the World War II era when it was a hit for Glenn Miller and His Orchestra in 1941. The big band/swing song was written by lyricist Mack Gordon and composer Harry Warren. It also won an Academy Award, as it was featured in the film Sun Valley Serenade. The recording of the 1941 Miller hit was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. Several covers have been recorded by artists such as The Andrews Sisters, Ray Anthony, George Benson, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and Harry Connick, Jr. Note singers and musicians from Chattanooga include singer Usher Raymond, blues legend Bessie Smith, TV/star singer Jim Nabors, Jules Alexander, jazz double bassist Jimmy Blanton (who worked with Duke Ellington), soul singer Fred Cash, composer George S. Clinton, composer Will Marion Cook, singer Sam Gooden, singer Roland Hayes, rock musician Michael Houser, rock musician Todd Nance, Valaida Snow, rapper Isaiah Rashad and songwriter Roger Alan Wade. Additionally producer Terry Manning and recording engineer Zane Birdwell, who works as sound designer for comedian/singer Tim Minchin, is from Chattanooga. Chattanooga Music Acts Katrina Barclay * Jessie Lee Cates * Danimal Planet * Chris Byerley * Soul Mechanic * Krystye Dalton * Pack of Wolves * Jennifer Graham * Prod-A-Gee * Triune Chattanooga Local Music Scene History Starting March 11, 2020 Chattanooga music scene began cancelling events due to the coronavirus. The following weekend 23 of 26 live shows were cancelled, according to the Times Free Press. The result was a shift from live venue performances to "virtual concerts." WDEF reported in April 2018 that the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau's chief Barry White said that the organization has doubled the number of events and attendees in the past three years. One of the most celebrated festivals in Chattanooga is the Riverbend Festival in June. The bureau is focused on the tourism that music brings to the city. Finley Stadium is now looking for big name acts to book for the next few years. According to White the Moon River Festival sold out in eight days, in which 60% of ticket sales came from out of town. In March 2017 twenty-eight local acts performed in the Road To Nightfall competition to play in Chattanooga's Nightfall concert series in May. The event, which is designed to support local music, is hosted by Gig City Productions, which is owned by Barrett Taylor. The bands must perform original music and have a web presence to qualify. Road To Nightfall is an interactive experience for online visitors who get to vote on the competition. A previous winner, Nick Lutsko, has played shows throughout the region and was interviewed on News Channel 9. |
