Get Off The Couch: Tedeschi Trucks Band at Tivoli

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, this might seem like a stretch, but for me the blues are kind of like beer. Just like there are dozens and dozens of flavors, not all are equal, but I have no problem enjoying most of them. You've got your artisan types preferred by guys in skinny jeans and pointy shoes, and you've got your working-man kinds swilled by guys in relaxed-fit britches and work boots.

The Tedeschi Trucks Bands plays to both crowds and everything in between. They will be at the Tivoli on Tuesday night, and if you like blues music at all, this is the show to attend.

LISA DENTON: I can't argue with that. Trucks is only 34, but he has already been named to Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

BARRY: He's actually No. 16 and the youngest living guitarist on the list.

LISA: He was something of a child prodigy even. According to an online bio, he had played alongside Buddy Guy and gone on tour with The Allman Brothers Band by the time he turned 13. The Allman Brothers gig wasn't such a stretch since his uncle Butch is a founding member of the band. But still.

BARRY: Uncle Butch might have gotten him an audition, but his skill got him an invitation to join the band permanently, which he did until about 10 days ago when he announced he was leaving to devote his full attention to TTB. His wife, Susan Tedeschi, picks a little, too (I'm being sarcastic -- she is very good), and she is a great singer as well. The whole band is great.

LISA: Speaking of good guitar players, there are four young men from McCallie School who earned a performance slot on "From the Top," which will be taping an NPR radio broadcast Thursday night at the Tivoli. The McCallie Guitar Quartet features Ralston Hartness, Griff Jayne, Matthew Norris and Drew Shikoh. This is the second time the show has taped here, so producers must be impressed with the talent of the young classical musicians in the area.

BARRY: I know two of the young men. Ralston is part of the "Let Beauty Awaken" project that has young people raising money for arts in area public schools, and I've known Griff since he was little. That's quite an honor, for all of them.

And I know how much you like dressing up, so we shouldn't overlook that Chattacon is back at the Choo Choo this weekend. Time to dust off the Princess Leia costume and get that honeybun hairdo. What will you be wearing?

Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.

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

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