New Downtown Bristol Concert Debuts

Downtown Bristol.
Border Bash. Downtown Center performances. Rhythm and Roots.
Bristol lives, baby. Add It’s Great on State to the list.

Starting June 26 with the Chessmen, Entice and Southern 76, the monthly event will run through August in the 800 block of State Street. As with the aforementioned events save Rhythm and Roots, Great on State will not cost a dime to attend.
Food, drink and more will cost extra, but that’s part of the point.

“My understanding is that it’s to spotlight the restaurants downtown,” said Darlene Cole, venue manager for Bristol, Tenn.
Right on, said Terrie Talbert, director of community relations for the city of Bristol, Tenn.

“When the music stops at around 9:30, just walk down the street to the clubs and restaurants and hear more music,” Talbert said. “The clubs and restaurants have worked very, very hard to bring live music to Bristol.”

Dave Manning numbers among Bristol’s worker bees. He owns and manages O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille, which features a steady diet of live music, along with a full menu of food and drink. He’s enthused about Great on State.

“The continuity [of live music] is a great thing,” Manning said. “It’s also great for people who want more nightlife in downtown Bristol. Our city is unique in that you can walk down one strip and experience it all. Everything is centrally located.”

That holds true as well for Great on State. As with Border Bash, which employs the 500 block of State Street once per month in summer, Great on State will buzz within the 800 block of State Street.

However, folks will notice several differences with Great on State.

“The music is different,” Talbert said. “For example, we will have Entice, which is a soul music group.”

But why strive for something different when what works now works fine?

“We tried to identify the demographic that we want to see downtown, the younger people,” Talbert said. “That’s the demographic that we feel will go to the clubs and restaurants downtown.”

Do not read more into that than said, Talbert said. While officials are reaching out to young people, they are not doing so at the exclusion of older people.

“We are not forsaking older people,” Talbert said. “The nightlife in Bristol, there’s all kinds of things to do for everyone.”

Those things are built on music. When Great on State stages each month, folks will notice the absence of lulls in the music.

“There will be two stages with constant music,” Talbert said.

While one act performs, another act can set up. That means that when an act finishes its performance, another will be ready to play, therefore providing constant music.

“It’s like a big block party,” Talbert said.

Excellent, Manning said.

“Huge kudos to the city of Bristol, Tenn.,” Manning said. “Everyone will benefit from it.”

IF YOU GO
What: It’s Great on State featuring The Chessmen, Entice and Southern 76
When: June 26, 5 p.m.
Where: 800 block of State Street, Bristol
Tickets: Free
Info: (423) 764-4171
Web: http://www.believeinbristol.org

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .