Staff Photo by Allison Kwesell Headliner Willie Nelson preforms during the first night of the Riverbend Festival.
When Elder Mountain resident Bob Janney looked over the Riverbend lineup, there were a lot of unfamiliar names.
“At my age there are very few I still know,” the 75-year-old said sitting in a fold-out chair before Friday night’s main act. “But I know Willie Nelson.”
Mr. Nelson, who turned 76 on Apirl 30, started off the night with “Whisky River,” “Still Is Still Movin’ to Me” and “Whisky for My Men and Beer for My Horses.”
Mr. Nelson strummed his famously worn guitar holding up a hand when he got to the line “raise up our glasses against evil forces.” He cupped his hand to his ear after he sang “whisky for my men,” to hear the crowd answer, “beer for my horses.”
About 300 chairs were already set up around the Coca-Cola Stage by 3:45 p.m. as fans staked out the prime real estate early.
Bettie Sheran came down from Boston for the festival. She said she wanted to see several of the bands but arrived at 4 p.m. to get a spot “for Willie.”
“Willie Nelson is on top of my list,” she said.
Tim Walker, a North Chattanooga resident who had been coming to Riverbend for more than 20 years, said the best part of the festival is the variety of music and the people watching.
“Even if I don’t particularly like the act, it’s still fun to be here,” Mr. Walker said. He explained he was looking forward to Three Dog Night and the Commodores later in the week. He said he always makes a point to browse through the other stages to see some of the lesser-known acts.
“If you don’t like it then move onto the next one,” he explained.
Shirley Haraway drove from Rogersville, Ala., to meet up with her square dance partner James Forgy for the show.
“We came up just to see Willie,” she said.
She said Mr. Nelson’s smooth voice and the song “Help Me Through the Night” had a special meaning to her after her husband died.
“It just fit for some one who was hurting,” she said.
But Friday night was about fun, she said.
The dancing partners had seen Mr. Nelson in Huntsville, Ala., before and even traveled to Texas to see where he got his start.
“Willie don’t change very much,” Mr. Forgy said. “He doesn’t change.”
