Riverbend Festival
Chattanooga, TN
June 14, 1998
I saw my second Richard Marx concert in Chattanooga, TN at the annual Riverbend Festival. The show was better than Atlanta. Atlanta was a great show in itself but it seems to me he was more into the show and more of himself here than Atlanta. Or maybe the Bulls game had something to do with it. Whatever it was, it sure made it a great concert!
Sound Check
A view of the sound check (sorry, I don't have a fancy camera)
A few of us fans had a Eat & Greet at the Big River Grille. Afterwards, we made our way to the festival--we were going to go in early. As we walked to area of the festival where Richard was performing, we heard the band playing. Just as we are about to get to the VIP seating area to meet up with a few other fans, we heard the phrase "Touch Of Heaven" come from the stage. Richard was at the sound check. We stood there with about 10 other people in the nearby area just watching and listening to sound check. I'm sure there were others around the Tennessee Aquarium that could hear him. He was an average guy on stage. He was in a purple T-shirt, jeans, sunglasses, and had a black hat on backwards. He didn't practice all the songs he was going to do that night. He worked on about 6 or 7 songs. He was going to do a new song that night so the band had to practice it about 6 times. It was beautiful from what I heard. After about an hour or so, they had the sound system all ready and Richard and the band left.
Waiting......
After hearing sound check...we stayed on the festival grounds. It was very hot in the middle to late afternoon. We walked around the venue trying to stay cool, stay in the shade and got a few cold drinks from the concession stands nearby. We did this for about 4 hours. About 8:15 we stared to get ready for the upcoming meet & greet that a few us were able to do.Meet & Greet
Richard and a fan
About 8:15 we met at the entrance to the stage that the concert was to be held. We waited up to 15 minutes until we were told we to come back. The stage was a 2 level barge with all the wires and equipment on the lower level and the concert itself on the upper level. We were taken to a tent on the lower level and given chairs to sit in.
Richard and Sandie
After about 5 minutes under the tent, Richard walked in. He looked very nice in his black and white shirt with a Renaissance art design, black pants, and black shoes. He started with my friend Laura as she was the first one sitting near the opening of the tent. I was about the 7th or 8th person to meet him. I was able to get my Richard Marx vinyl album cover signed as well as a 8x10 I got from the fan club. I did get my picture with him again. Rick, Richard's tour manager, took all of our pictures for us.
Richard and Timre
After everyone got a chance to meet him and get a photo, he stayed back there for about another 5 minutes and we all when up to him to speak. I went up to him and told him that the new song he performed at sound check was beautiful. He told me that they were still working on getting it right for the show. We all also got a picture of Richard & Rick together. Then we left as time for the show was near.
Richard and Rick
The Concert
Like I said above, this concert was better than Atlanta '97. I some how manage to get one of few seats directly in front of the mic stand that Richard would perform most of his songs. I was also able to get a good view of his face when he played the piano.After about 5 minutes for sponsor announcements, 7 minutes worth of commercials on the viewing screen, and a minute of darkness, Richard came out to the piano. He started the show with "Until I Find You Again." It was wonderful. I can't really remember the order of all the songs...I was too into the concert to take note. I do remember what he performed.
During the first half of the concert, Game 6 of the NBA Finals was happening in Utah. Richard kept checking the game after performing a song. He was rooting for the Bulls and had us rooting for them too. A tied basket was made during his performance of a song (I can't remember but I think it was during "Hold On To The Nights") and the people of the side of the stage cheered, startling those not viewing the game. After the song ended, Richard stop the concert to see the end of the game. We got to see the end of the game thanks to the camera crew placing the game on the big monitor atop of the stage. When the game ended, everyone was cheering for the Bulls win.
He also made remarks about his life, his music, and the crowd. He also played the songs with all of his heart into them. He played 16 songs in total. He played a live for the first time as I understand, "The Leading Man." It is a beautiful song. I can't find the right words to describe because it did blow me away. It blew away the whole audience that night. He ended up receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. I still can't find the perfect words for the concert. I don't think any word could describe how great of a show it was.
I can't really remember the order of the songs from the concert but I do remember the titles. He performed:
Until I Find You Again, Touch Of Heaven, Nothing Left Behind Us, Angelia, Should've Know Better, The Leading Man, Angel's Lullaby, Now And Forever, You Never Take Me Dancing, Endless Summer Nights, Hold On To The Nights, The Way She Loves Me, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Right Here Waiting, Don't Mean Nothing and C'mon Everybody (?--I didn't really get to catch the title).
It was sad to see it end again but I know I can't wait until the next show I can go to.
I want to thank Gerri for coordinating the Meet & Greet at this concert. Special Thanks go out to Cynde for all the hard work she put into the Meet & Greet and the arrangements she made for us! Thank you Cynde!
