Get Off the Couch: Sisters bringing bluegrass A-game

Friday, January 1, 1904

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, we have a lot of very generous people who do a lot of very nice things in our community, and Fletcher Bright is right there at the top of the list. He has for years given his time, money and support to numerous events and organizations without asking for anything in return, at least that I know of.

LISA DENTON: You know I'm partial to bluegrass musicians anyway, but he is definitely a class act. He doesn't go around looking for pats on the back, as far as I can tell, but he's the force behind the 3 Sisters Festival, which is coming up this weekend.

Friday night and all day Saturday, you can set up a folding chair at Ross's Landing and hear some of the best bluegrass has to offer. The big names are Dailey & Vincent, Yonder Mountain String Band, Steep Canyon Rangers and the Travelin' McCourys, but there are 11 acts all told. And you can hear them all for free - thanks to Fletcher Bright.

BARRY: Which will allow you to be able to afford a ticket - if any remain - for Wine Over Water on the Walnut Street Bridge. Tickets are $65 in advance and $70 at the gate, but you get to sample wines from all over, eat some fancy grub and listen to music in one of the coolest settings anywhere. Proceeds go to Cornerstones, which is in the business of preserving old things.

LISA: You know, both of these events are part of the broad spectrum of the RiverRocks festival, which celebrates all things outdoors. I can't wait to see you rappel off the side of the SunTrust Bank building - you did agree to get harnessed up for that, right?

BARRY: The only event I was qualified for was plummeting, and I didn't want to mess up my hair.

Every week it seems like there are too many fun things to do, but this week it is really true. The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will pay tribute to two Beatles albums, "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver." Lauren Alaina is in Dalton on Friday, and all the haunted houses are in full scare.

LISA: And don't forget that Doris Roberts is coming for Life: A Boomers & Seniors Expo. She'll be at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday. You know she won four Emmys for her role as Marie Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond." She's the kind of mother-in-law I hope to be someday.