Authored By Sean Phipps

When I first noticed the schedule for this year’s Nightfall concert series, I thought there was a mistake. Typically, the series features some amazing performers (Leon Redbone, Of Montreal, The Black Keys, Richard Thompson, Lucy Kaplansky, etc.), but this year’s talent list is unbelievably good. I’ve always appreciated the genius behind Nightfall’s selection process in that they give us what we didn’t know we wanted. They’re very good at doing that. Here are five mini-previews of some upcoming Nightfall shows that I think you’ll really enjoy. I’m excited about them all.

Deer Tick (July 13)

Deer Tick is a country punk party band that I’m anxious to see in live performance. Their 2011 release “Divine Providence” made many year-end “best of” lists. The opening track, called “The Bump,” lets us know what we’re in for: “We’re full-grown men, but we act like kids … we’ll face the music the next time we roll in.” This most recent album is a departure-admittedly a “party record” according to the band-so I’m not really sure what to expect from a live performance. I’ll be there, beer in hand. Ooltewah’s own Behold the Brave will open the show.

Chuck Prophet (July 20)

Singer/songwriter Chuck Prophet has been on my radar since his 2002 release “No Other Love,” which is both autumnal and summery at the same time. That’s hard to do. His song “Summertime Thing” is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Most of his stuff has bit of a twang, but in that “I may be country, but I still gots brains” sort of way. And he’s funny, too. Here’s another tune called “I Bow Down and Pray to Every Woman I See” to whet your appetite. His softer side is evident in the title track from “No Other Love.” His latest album is “Temple Beautiful.” Chattanooga’s endelouz will open the show.

Van Hunt (July 27)

You know that “Top 25 Most Played” section of your iTunes page that tells you what bad taste you have in music because you’ve listened to “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” 127 times in the past three years? Yeah, also on that list is a song from R&B singer Van Hunt called “What Can I Say (Song for Millicent),” which is just gorgeous. Of all of the performers at this year’s Nightfall series, Van Hunt is definitely the most underrated. Why he isn’t a superstar is a question for the gods. But maybe he’s so good because he isn’t on Top 40 radio. Anyway, here’s a live tune called “Eyes Like Pearls” from his 2011 release “What Were You Hoping For?,” an album I own and enjoy. Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers will open this one.

Hayes Carll (Aug. 10)

Coincidentally, we have another artist in Hayes Carll that currently holds a place in my “Top 25 Most Played” iTunes section as well. The song, called “Beaumont,” is off his 2008 release “Trouble in Mind.” He also does a stirring cover on “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” by Tom Waits on that album, which basically makes me a fan for life. Yeah, it’s country and twangy, but damn if it isn’t really good. Don’t miss this one. I’m dying to hear some of the songs from this album in a live setting. Hayes Carll is a superstar in the making. But I consider Steve Earle and Guy Clark as superstars, so maybe I’m not the best judge of superstardom. Local superstar Amber Fults will open the show with her Ambivalent Lovers.

Eilen Jewell (Aug. 17)

I have a major crush on Eilen Jewell, and I don’t think I’ll be the only one after her Nightfall performance in August. Jewell is an artist still trying to find her sound, which makes her a perfect candidate for insane music fanboys like myself to follow for a lifetime. Her Wikipedia page lists her genres as Americana, blues, country, folk, gospel, honky tonk and rockabilly. Here’s a live track called “Queen of the Minor Key.” That’s real music! Her cover of the often-covered “Shakin’ All Over” is probably the best version. Yeah, even better than Zeppelin’s. This show-with Chattanooga’s Long Gone Darlings as openers-has the potential to be THE Nightfall show of the season.

You can contact Sean Phipps via email and Twitter with comments and questions. The opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.