Tim Cofield

Pat and I went out to Los Compadres on Brainerd Road for Cinco De Mayo on Monday night to hear the band, Mudville Mafia. They weren’t really dirty or even muddy and none of them looked like any of the Soprano’s, but I can tell you what they are – really, really good.

Tim Neal plays lead guitar and vocals, John Duval plays acoustic guitar and serves up the lead vocals, Phil Hodge plays bass, and Mark Trundle keeps the beat on drums. Mike Eldridge joined them for a few songs on harp, as well. We have heard them before, and they have always been exceptional. This time, bass player Phil Hodge was out of town, so we were prepared for our first disappointing performance. Didn’t happen. The Mafia pulled a fast one. They put in a pinch-hitter - bass player extraordinaire Kenny Palmer. Good musicians seem to have a knack to attracting good musicians.

These guys play mostly cover songs, but not the run-of-the-mill ones. They cover the songs you don’t often hear covered. My favorite is the Santana/Rob Thomas song “Smooth”, although I would love to hear it with Tim Neal playing his usual Strat, versus the Gibson. The crowd at Los Compadres was in a frenzy, dancing and having a big time the whole evening. The place was packed and The Mudville Mafia fans – Mudheads, they call themselves – got an injection of rock and roll to last them until the next performance on May 16 at T-Bones.

Los Compadres was fun, and our server was excellent. The food was hot, and the staff was wonderful. It’s always nice to see a staff that can give such good service, yet still have fun, enjoying the music. The Mafia, being the pros they are – had just the right volume for the place. The margaritas were darn good, too. Tim and John play there on Thursdays, also.

The Mafia has been in the studio preparing for their CD release. I had a chance to sneak preview some of the cuts, and they are going to have a winner. All of the songs I heard were originals, and were clean and crisp, with great guitar work. These guys are at Riverbend this year on June 13 at 9 p.m. and I highly recommend you consider this performance as part of your Riverbend experience.

Live! In Chattanooga

Thursday, May 8

Midtown Music Hall – Jeremy McComb
T-Bones – Pee Wee Moore
The Palms at Hamilton – Nathan Farrow
Rhythm & Brews – Gabriel Newell, Tim Cofield, Lon Eldridge and Kevin Klein

Friday, May 9

Uncle Stumpy’s @ Deadwood Station – No Big Deal
Midtown Music Hall – Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance
Rhythm & Brews – - Fly By Radio
T-Bones – Crossfire Band
Market Street Tavern – Jon Wimpy, Todd Davis, Bluegrass Pharaohs, and Toneharm
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Dalton Blues Train Café – Groove Shakers
HeBrews Coffee House - Jim, the "Orange Yodeler" Dautry
Buds – Live at 11
Rhythm & Noon Concert at Miller Plaza – Sweet Georgia Sound Swing Band

Saturday, May 10

Uncle Stumpy’s @ Deadwood Station – Guvment Cheese
Midtown Music Hall – Downstream and Five Star Iris
Market Street Tavern – Pee Wee Moore
Rhythm & Brews – Milele Roots, with Brandy Robinson
Dalton Depot – Jason Lyles
T-Bones – Honky Dogs
Charles & Myrtles – Tommy Womack
JJ’s Bohemia – Up With The Joneses, with The Running, and Barkeep
Dalton Blues Train Café – Michael Bailey Band

Hubfest @ Heritage Park – Christie Burns & Butch Ross, Matt Carbone, Dana Rogers, Bob Carty, and Muse Gypsy. (Start @ 10 a.m. on Jenkins Road off East Brainerd Rd.

Sunday, May 11

Chattanooga Market @ First Tenn. Pavilion – Bucktown Kickback, Sweet Georgia Sounds, New Binkley Brothers

Monday, May 12

Rhythm & Brews – Monday Night Big Band

Tuesday, May 13

Rhythm & Brews – North Mississippi All-Stars, with Alvin Youngblood Heart
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
JJ’s Bohemia – The Griefs

Wednesday, May 14

Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio
Las Margaritas Riverview – Priscilla and Little Rickee

* By now, you probably heard the Chattanooga Market was near death, but has been saved and is open for the season! In addition to the many wonderful crafts, food, home grown plants, fruits, and veggies, the Market offers some great music, too! In its seventh season, the market is open on Sundays at the First Tennessee Pavilion across from Finley Stadium on Carter Street.

To have your venue’s live event listed, just email us at davrik@aol.com - Chattanoogan.com