SMBS presents BLUES CRUISE w/Early Times & The High Rollers
Schedule
Sun, 07 Sep, 2025 at 04:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Tennessee Riverboat | Knoxville, TN
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2025 SUNDAY BLUES CRUISESKNOXVILLE RIVERBOAT COMPANY
WWW.TNRIVERBOAT.COM
(865) 525-7827
The Smoky Mountain Blues Society will once again present live music with its continuation of our monthly River Cruise of 2025. The sixth show will feature Early Times & The High Rollers on the Tennessee Riverboat on Sunday, September 7th at 4 pm – 7 pm.
Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website, (tnriverboat.com) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $25 for members in advance and $30 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827. Members will be receiving discount code by email.
Boarding begins at 3:15 pm.
EARLY TIMES
HIS STORY
Early Times grew up in Sacramento, CA and lives in New York. While in Sacramento, Early operated Fantasia Music, a record label that had international distribution through Bayside. He released Society for the Misunderstood (Best CD in Sac This Week); Hobo Deluxe (Best CD nomination Sacramento Area Music Awards); The Comedown (Best CD nomination Sacramento Area Music Awards); and Tickle Your Fancy.
During his time in Sacramento he received an unprecedented 10 nominations in the Sacramento Area Music Awards (Sammies), more than any other artist in the area. These nominations were for Best Rock Musician/Vocalist (multiple); Best Singer/Songwriter; Best Rock Band; Best Blues Band; Best Local CD (multiple); Early was also the recipient of the Critics’ Choice Award as Sacramento’s Best Guitarist.
Early went on to tour nationally and in Greece with E.C. Scott and played lead guitar on “Hard Act to Follow” and “Masterpiece” for Blind Pig Records. Lee Hildebrand’s (SF Chronicle) 4-star review of Hard Act to Follow declared: “Featured throughout is the scorching guitar work of a Sacramento musician by the name of Early Times.”
In 2001 Early helped usher in a new wave of broadcasting when he debuted on Sirius Satellite Radio. He hosted a daily show on Sirius Blues from the channel’s opening until its closing. During the 7+ year span, he welcomed guests such as Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, John Hammond, Jonny Lang, and more.
Early Times operates Manhattan Recording and Dealer’s Choice Records out of his New York studio. There, he recorded his latest CD, The Corner, which was produced by Jay Messina. He signed a deal with Vizztone Records who released the album and it is being distributed by Redeye.
He also released Hit & Run, an album that featured the hit “Dogs of Karma” that ran in heavy rotation on Sirius XM.
In 2016, Early was once again asked to return to broadcasting and join the staff of BB. King’s Bluesville on Sirius XM Radio. He hosts a daily program from 3pm-9pm eastern time Monday through Friday and Saturday & Sunday from 6pm to midnight eastern. Among the guests on his show include: George Thorogood, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Rush, Popa Chubby, Jimmie Vaughan, and more.” – Brant Buckley, Americanbluesscene.com
The band features Early Times (gtr/vcl); Jeremy Portwood (drums); Dan Schnapp (Keyboards); and Teddy Motz (bass) and has toured the Northeast and Southern states at festivals and clubs. Early Times & the High Rollers are represented by the Peach Music Group.
Each voyage will also have full bar and limited food menu available onboard to buy.
This year the Tennessee Riverboat Company has some changes in ticket pricing. Every cruise ticket (no matter what type) has a “port fee” of $1.50. In addition, if you buy your ticket online, there is an online fee of $1.75. The fee of $1.75 is not charged for buying tickets over the phone with a credit card or in person (credit card or cash). As usual, sales tax is applied. Be advised that weather or boat mechanical conditions could lead the Captain of the boat to order that the boat not go out on the river, and so the show will take place at the dock.
We want you to be informed of these incidental changes
We are looking forward to seeing you on the water enjoying our Blues Cruises.
For press inquiries, please contact Alisa B. Cherry, [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Tennessee Riverboat, 998 Volunteer Landing Ln SE, Knoxville, TN 37915-2594, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
