Chattanooga, Tennessee

It may not be the biggest city in Tennessee (fourth behind Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville), but Chattanooga’s music scene still packs a punch with local acts and touring bands keeping the city busy. Folks love bluegrass and country, but various rock genres certainly draw a crowd and The Local even hosts a weekly hip-hop open mic.

Every year in June Chattanooga hosts Riverbend, one of the country’s 10 largest music festivals. It lasts a whopping nine days, featuring massive acts like The Black Crowes, Galactic and ZZ Top, as well as a large amount of regional indie acts like Wax Fang and Toubab Krewe.

The city is right on the border of Georgia and Tennessee, making it an easy two-hour drive from Atlanta or Nashville. It is a great small-city stop between two of the largest tourstops in the the Southeast.

Guide to Gigging in Chattanooga

Book a Gig: Venues

JJ’s Bohemia

231 E Martin Luther King Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN

(423) 266-1400

www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia

This predominantly indie rock venue hosts bands like How I Became the Bomb and Morning State. JJ’s Bohemia takes $30 per show to cover the PA usage, doorman and advertising with the rest of the door money going to the bands. But if you want to play a free show, such as the locals-only gig held on the first Thursday of every month, the venue will waive the fee. To book your band, contact jjsmedia@myspace.com for more information.

The Local

306 Cherokee Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN 37405

(423) 265-2171

www.localperformancehall.com

Proudly stating itself as the first and only venue where local bands headline every weekend, this 21+ venue also has open mic nights on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as two floors for live music. The club opened in 2002 and features locals like Irish-tinged folk-rockers The Molly Maguires. Email thelocalperformers@yahoo.com for booking.

Ziggy’s

607 Cherokee Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN 37405

(423) 508-2526

www.myspace.com/ziggyschattanooga

Ziggy’s prefers to have only one touring act accompanying whatever local acts are lined up each night, so you might want to get to know some of Chattanooga’s best bands to help get your foot in the door. The venue leans towards acts on the harder side of rock, favoring punk and metal. When booking, send a message to the venue’s MySpace page and include as much of the following info as possible: band name, hometown, band contact, band email, phone number, manager name plus phone number and email, website, MySpace, record label, genre and dates available. Be sure to get to the venue by 8 p.m. for your show.

The Barking Legs Theater

1307 Dodds Ave. | Chattanooga, TN 37404

(423) 624-5347

www.barkinglegs.org

The cozy, theater atmosphere that The Barking Legs offers is most conducive to acoustic or bluegrass bands such as Bombadil and Megan McCormick (formerly with the everybodyfields). The venue’s capacity is 80 seated and 175 standing. Most shows are booked through Flying Fingers Productions but the venue is a nonprofit run by the Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga. Email Ann Law at barkinglegs@chattanooga.org for booking information.

Promote A Gig: Media

The Chattanooga Pulse

POB 4070 | Chattanooga,TN 37405

(423) 648-7857

www.chattanoogapulse.com

To get your show listed, send your info to calendar@chattanoogapulse.com before noon on the Wednesday prior to publication date. For a larger article, email editor Michael Kull at mkull@chattanoogapulse.com with your show information.

Chattanoogan.com

POB 2331 | Chattanooga, TN 37409

Bob Payne writes a great column on all the music “Happenings” in the city. To get a mention email Payne at davrik@aol.com or visit his MySpace at www.myspace.com/davrik.

WUTC/88.1 FM

104 Cadek Hall, Dept 1151 | 615 McCallie Ave. | Chattanooga, TN 37403

(423) 425-4756

www.wutc.org

Chattanooga’s public radio station has a music show hosted by Tommy Cotter called Evening Music, which features performances and interviews by local and touring acts. Email Cotter at tommycotter@comcast.net for more information.

Gear/Repairs

Rick’s Guitar Room

4422 Dayton Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN 37415

(423) 870-5335

www.ricksguitarroom.com

At Rick’s you can buy, sell and trade new, used and vintage instruments equipment. The store specializes in guitars, amps, strings and pedals as well as any other guitar-needs, such as repairs. The store is open Tuesday through Thursday, closing early on Saturday at 3 p.m. Email ricksguitarroom@bellsouth.net for more information.

L& M Music

6228 Airpark Dr | Chattanooga, TN 37421

(423) 894-8289

www.landmmusic.com

Selling not only bass, guitar, drums, keyboards and accessories but also pro audio and recording equipment, L & M Music has a huge selection of all things needed by a musician. The store is open Monday through Friday.