Thursday, June 11th, 7:45PM - Bud Light Stage

The Lee Boys are one of America's finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. Here they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments, including lap and pedal steel guitars. Born and raised in Miami, each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, was the pastor and a steel player himself.
"Sacred steel" is a type of music described as an inspired, unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in Gospel, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and ideas from other nations. Influenced by the Hawaiian steel guitar fad of the 1930's, brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought the electric lap steel guitar into the worship services of the House of God church in Jacksonville, FL. The Pentecostal congregation embraced the soulful sound, and over time this unique sound became the hallmark of the church. The pedal steel guitar was added to the mix and soon became the central instrument. The Lee Boys are part of the fourth generation of musicians in this faith.
This music form was totally unknown to the world outside the church until the mid 1990's, when folklorist Robert Stone attended House of God services and recorded the music, as well as its history, contributing the name 'sacred steel." A series of compilations featuring artists such as Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke and the Campbell Brothers, as well as the late Glenn Lee followed on legendary roots label Arhoolie Records, for whom The Lee Boys also record.
When The Lee Boys bring their joyous spiritual sound to the stage, audiences instantly recognize that this is not "sitting and listening" music: dancing, shouting out, and having fun are considered essential parts of their tradition. Founder and bandleader Alvin Lee explains "The inspiration and feeling that comes along with our music is the reason that people feel good. It is like the new music on the block and it's just getting ready to explode!" It's mostly original material, with a few standards and hymns the group "blueses up a little." Audiences often dance, shout out, and always have a great time. In 2007 alone they performed for more than 250,000 music fans at festivals throughout the United States. In the process, their unique sound has attracted musical artists such as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Michelle Shocked, Gov't Mule, Derek Trucks Band w/ Susan Tedechi, The North Mississippi Allstars, Umphrey's McGee, and Victor Wooten – all of whom have played with the Lee Boys and/or invited them to tour with them.
The press has caught on as well, as evidenced by the Chicago Sun Times review of their set at Chicago Blues Festival in June 2006: "The Lee Boys, whose House of God-inspired sacred steel music may be what Jimi Hendrix had in mind with his grand plan for 'electric sky church music.' Part Robert Randolph, part Holmes Brothers, the Miami quintet sang the praises while whipping the crowd into a frenzy with hypnotic grooves, innovative pedal-steel/lead guitar interplay and funky rhythms."
These engaging artists work well in a variety of venues ranging from intimate club settings to performing arts centers to large festival stages. Their music attracts audiences from the jamband, folk, blues and Gospel worlds. They've performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and will continue influencing audiences worldwide with their "sacred steel". Their 2008 tour calendar includes nearly 50 major festival performances, including headline stops at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Memphis in May, and the Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Austin City Limits and Philadelphia Folk Festivals.

THE TRAVELIN' McCOURYS
Ron McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Alan Bartram on bass , with featured guests on guitar and vocals, is the latest incarnation of the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass -The Del McCoury Band. Known for their individual prowess on their instruments and their rapidly expanding reputation as collaborators with the members of numerous musical icons from Vince Gill to the Allman Brothers and Phish, this touring unit blends the best of the Appalachian tradition with the improvisational magic of jazz. Unique live collaborations are the hallmark of their performances, and demonstrates why critics and musicians across the country hail them as the best bluegrass band in the world.
As part of the Del McCoury Band, The McCoury’s have appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage countless times, in turn earning themselves a spot on the Grand Ol Opry Tour in 2004. They were also on the Down from the Mountain Tour in both 2001 and 2002. They have been nominated for 6 Grammy’s, winning 1 for Best Bluegrass Album in 2006 and were named International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year 8 times. They have performed, recorded or toured with the likes of Phish, Warren Haynes, Steve Earle, Yonder Mountain String Band, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Nanci Griffith, the Chieftains, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, moe, David Grisman, and the list goes on!

Riverbend is a nine day music festival located in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee every June. The festival is located on the 21st Century Waterfront along the Tennessee River. Boasting five stages of world class entertainment ranging from classic rock and jam bands to country, urban and bluegrass the festival draws over 600,000 patrons annually. Riverbend has a Children's Village, Bluecross Riverbend Run and Walk, a Marketplace and Fireworks Finale.

Music Lineup
This year's performers include: Willie Nelson, Train, Three Dog Night, Steven Curtis Chapman, Little Richard, Montgomery Gentry, The Commodores, The B-52s, and several more.

Admission Pins
Riverbend pins allow admission into the festival site every day of the festival. Children 10 and under are admitted FREE with an adult. Pins are available at all area Mapco Mart and Fast, Food and Fuel locations for $28 each until June 4th. Beginning June 5th, pins are available at all gates for $37 each. One night wristbands are sold at the gates for only $23.

For more Information
Call 423-756-2211 or check out www.riverbendfestival.com. The Riverbend Festival is produced by Friends of the Festival, a non-profit organization with offices at 180 Hamm Rd, Chattanooga TN 37405.

Info via riverbendfestival.com. Info & photo via leeboys.com and myspace.com/thetravelinmccourys.