Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

The Lights Shine Bright

Until Knoxville gets cheap direct flights to the Big Apple, we won't be seeing the most hyped and critically acclaimed Broadway productions as often as we'd like. Over the years, the occasional production of Cats, Les Miserables or Grease has been known to pop into town for a few nights, giving us a taste of large-scale musical theater magic. This month, the Nederlander Production Company, a producer of many on- and off-Broadway shows in New York, announced the opening of a Knoxville office, a branch of sorts that will guarantee at least three shows a year at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. The 2004 schedule is Jesus Christ Superstar (March 5 - 7), Chicago (April 30 - May 2), and Riverdance (June 22-27). Carl Thompson, a local actor and former marketing guy at Knoxville Opera, is heading up this Broadway infiltration of K-town as general manager of Nederlander's local operation.

Per-show tickets range from $65 to as little as $11 for a weeknight performance of Riverdance, with tickets getting cheaper the further the seats. Season tickets range from $178.75 to $54.

Howlin' at the KMA

The scene last Friday night at the first Knoxville Museum of Art's "Alive After Five" concert series of the new year was just what KMA's Michael Gill had hoped for. Gill books and promotes the series for KMA, and he has been working hard to bring in musicians who will attract not only KMA members to the classy event, but also locals who may have never set foot in the museum.

Knoxville legends The Lonesome Coyotes played to a packed house this night, with more people lined outside the door waiting to get in as people left. The crowd of forty- and fifty-somethings were mainly UT students and Fort Sanders residents in the '70s and early '80s, and many of them knew each other, making for a more party-like atmosphere. Even though the Coyotes do not play out often, the band was in fine form performing two great sets, bringing the trademark coyote howls from the hardcore 'Yotes fans in the crowd.

Copies of the just-released Knoxville music scene anthology Cumberland Avenue Revisited were bought by many folks at the show (the book can now be purchased in the KMA gift shop). Some of those who purchased it got their copies autographed by members of the Lonesome Coyotes, as well as R.B. Morris and the book's editor Jack Rentfro.

Kudos to the KMA and Michael Gill for starting 2004 off with a great "Alive After Five" show; we'll be anxious to see how they top this one. The next AAF will feature some jazzy swing tunes from Nan Citty Blues Voice on Jan. 23, and as always, the show begins at 5:30 p.m. Now that's what I call a happy hour!

Go Chase!

Chase Pattison won a semi-finalist nod from RPM Unsigned Volume 3 Compilation songwriting competition for his debut CD, Chicaghost. The recording industry association selected Pattison's music from hundreds of entries from across the country. Pattison plays solo and with his band, the Big Tease. You can get a free copy of a live performance of the Big Tease at Chicaghost online at www.chasepattison.com.

Go.

Thursday: Go see what the buzz about Will Fist is all about. His Fistful of Crows opens for Cokes Dares at the Pilot Light.

Friday: Cover bands are all the rage these days and The Breakfast Club (playing at Blue Cats) bills itself as the country's premier '80s cover band. I just don't get it. Wouldn't you rather go dance to the Streamliners at Fairbanks? Or take your honey out to dinner? Or do laundry? I'm sure the place will be packed.

Saturday: Cary Fridley Band will play great old-timey music at the Laurel Theater. She'll make you want to play your own music.

Sunday: Give tribute to the Lord. No, no—I'm just kidding. Go see current it-band My Morning Jacket at Blue Cats. Or go across the street and root for the hometown kids, Robinella and the CCstringband at Barley's.

Monday: I was in my car driving along the freeway when at a red light another car pulled alongside. A white woman was driving and on the passenger's side, next to me, was a white man. "Malcolm X!" he called out to me—and when I looked, he stuck his hand out of his car, across me, grinning. "Do you mind shaking hands with a white man?" Imagine that! Just as the traffic light turned green, I told him, "I don't mind shaking hands with human beings. Are you one?"

Tuesday: Celebrate a dead white male at the UT Music Hall as Wesley Baldwin and David Northington perform Beethoven's works for cello and piano.

Wednesday: Whild Peach at Blue Cats.

—Paige M. Travis, Benny Smith, Joe Tarr