LISA DENTON: Barry, I hope you've got your candy ready because the bewitching hour is upon us. It'll be good to get a sugar buzz going because, in case you haven't noticed, it's a pretty busy week.
Robert Earl Keen is bringing his Confetti States Tour to Track 29 on Wednesday, and former NBA great Magic Johnson will be at The Chattanoogan on Thursday for a luncheon benefiting the Helene DiStefano Fund, which helps mothers with breast cancer. And that's just the beginning.
BARRY COURTER: I've got my costume on right now. You probably didn't notice. I'm dressed as a dufus. Just threw on some stuff I found in the closet.
You are correct on the schedule. In addition to all the stuff tonight and the things you mentioned, the symphony is doing Beethoven's Fifth -- dun, dun ta daa -- Thursday and Saturday. Tommy Jett is doing a live oldies show with some of his old WFLI Jet Fli guys Tuesday night at www.tommyjett.com, and Glenn Draper has about 270 of his former singers coming into town for a special concert on Sunday. Lee Greenwood, who is married to one of the singers, will perform as well. It's at 3 p.m. at the Tivoli.
LISA: OK, the costume is nothing I haven't seen before. But, wow, that's an impressive Beethoven impersonation. Maybe we should put you on one of the stages.
One of Chattanooga's other signature events is coming up this weekend, the Head of the Hooch. Last year, this rowing regatta drew more than 1,900 boats, 9,200 participants and some 4,000 spectators. I've got my fingers crossed for sunny weather. Rain can make it hard to float your boat.
BARRY: The Head of the Hooch is a spectacular event and shows off our downtown better than any other we produce. That doesn't take away from the others, but it just looks like the 21st Century Waterfront was built just for the Hooch. The green, the stadium seating, the bridges, the restaurants and hotels within two blocks and are perfect. I highly recommend checking it out.