Swing with Vince Gill and The Time Jumpers

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo The Associated Press -- Vince Gill

LISA DENTON: Barry, I know you're not a big, big fan of country music, but Vince Gill's next show may be one you should see. He will be here Friday for A Song for the Children, a fundraiser for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County.

Gill is about as big in country music as you can get, with one of the best tenor voices in the business. But he doesn't seem to be at all fazed by that "superstar" label.

He's bringing The Time Jumpers with him Friday. Even though he's the best-known member of the band, he's still just a member of the band. You have to respect that.

BARRY COURTER: I talked to Kenny Sears, one of the three fiddle players, last week, and he said Vince is 1/11th of the band like everybody else. The other 10 are primarily Nashville studio musicians, and their resumes are long, varied and beyond impressive. For example, Paul Franklin has played steel guitar with Sting, Barbra Streisand and Megadeth. I'd love to hear his stories.

The Time Jumpers do a lot of country swing-type stuff, and you are right, it should be an amazing display of musicianship and a good time for a good cause.

And I really like old country, and "Red Solo Cup" gets stuck in my head because I'm familiar with the concept.

LISA: Yes, "Red Solo Cup" has become the new anthem for the ages. I suspect those lyrics were written while a few of these "best receptacles" were being emptied.

We also need to make time for a few Halloween events this weekend. The Tennessee Aquarium's having its Aqua-Scarium party Friday, there's a big Halloween festival Saturday on Signal Mountain, and Chattanooga Arboretum & Nature Center will celebrate the Festival of the Jack-'o-Lanterns on Saturday and Sunday.

If you haven't done so already, you can carve a pumpkin at the Festival of the Jack-o'-Lanterns. I'm always amazed by the artistry some people bring to jack-o'-lanterns. When I'm through carving, it's scary all right, but for all the wrong reasons.

BARRY: And don't forget the Communicators, a collective of local musicians, are again doing their special Halloween show at Rhythm & Brews. They will play the "Boogie Nights" soundtrack on Friday and come back Saturday to do "Pulp Fiction." It's a full-on production with plenty of surprises and extras. Both are great soundtracks, and both should inspire some creative, some might say big, costume ideas.

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.