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Welcome to the August edition of THE BRUCE BEAT!
It’s hard to believe we’re already more than halfway through the year and kids are back in school. Time flies, but unfortunately, the real estate market hasn’t. It’s been a slower year so far, no doubt about it. But here’s the thing: markets are cyclical. And while we’re currently in a “down” market, history tells us the “up” is coming, and I believe it’s not too far off.
That’s why mindset matters. In moments like these, it’s important not to panic, but to prepare and keep moving forward. This business is all about people, and that’s exactly why I got into real estate. I’ve spent over 20 years in various sales roles, but what I’ve always valued most is helping people make confident, informed decisions. That doesn’t change in this market. In fact, I believe it matters even more.
If you’re thinking about a move, know that I’m here to guide you, not pressure you. You’ll always get straight answers from me, and I’ll work hard to make sure you feel supported and heard every step of the way. Whether you’re dreaming about your next home or just testing the waters, let’s talk. I’d love the chance to show you what it’s like to have a Realtor who puts people first.
Discover Chattanooga: From Ammunition to Amazon
By now, most people around here have heard about the history of Underground Chattanooga in downtown. It’s a fascinating story that’s been explored and retold many times. But how many of you have ever heard about the old Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant out near Highway 58? Maybe I had heard about it once and just tuned it out, but after 15 years of living in the area, someone recently mentioned it to me and it felt like brand-new information.
The Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (VAAP) was established during World War II to produce TNT and continued operating through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Though owned by the government, it was run by contracted operators and spread across more than 7,300 acres. Construction began in 1941 and was completed by 1943. By the time it ceased operations in 1977, the site housed over 420 buildings.
After decades of use, significant contamination was found on the land. The EPA, the Army, state and local governments, and private partners all worked together to successfully clean up the site. Following the cleanup in 2010, companies such as Volkswagen and Amazon built on parts of the 3,000 acres cleared for commercial use. Another 2,800 acres were preserved as the Enterprise South Nature Park, which features walking and biking paths, historical displays and protected rare plant species.
To this day, some former explosive storage bunkers are still in place and a lot of the land remains off-limits. The Army also continues long-term monitoring of groundwater, asbestos burial pits and landfills. The next time you drive on Hickory Valley Road between Shallowford Road and Highway 58, start looking to your left and right in the areas closer to Highway 58. You will see remnants of what once was one of the largest munitions factories in the United States.
The stars are coming to Chattanooga in August.
I usually like to shine a light on new music or emerging artists, but this month, the big names are impossible to ignore. August is stacked with major acts hitting the Chattanooga area. Legends like Macy Gray, Chris Isaak, Alice Cooper, America, Dwight Yoakam and Alison Krauss are all on the calendar. And just down the road at the Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Alabama, 90s alt-rock classics Collective Soul, Live and Our Lady Peace are teaming up for one night together. And that’s just the beginning. You’ll also find familiar names like Drive-By Truckers, Umphrey’s McGee, and Muscadine Bloodline making tour stops nearby.
If you prefer rising stars and indie favorites, don’t miss Whitey Morgan, Deer Tick, Lee Bains, SUSTO, Sunny Sweeney and Ben Nichols from Lucero, all scheduled to perform in the area this month too.
Then, there’s my favorite—turning people on to great, local music. August is packed with that and I’ve listed shows that include Chattanooga locals Cuatro Cinco, Swayyvo, The Afternooners, Luke Simmons, The NEW Quintet, Et Cetera and The Briars.
And music is not all I am highlighting for you this month—there’s Grateful Dead Night at the Lookouts game, special movies being shown at the IMAX, Lookout Wild Film Festival at Barrelhouse Ballroom, the annual Used Car Night at the Lookouts and a few more surprises.
Bottom line: there’s something for everyone this month. So get out there, enjoy some events and live music, and support the venues and organizers that work hard to bring this entertainment to our community.
August 2025:
Saturday 8/2 – Macy Gray w/ Terra Renae & Kyshona @ The Caverns
Saturday 8/2 – 34th Annual TVFCU Used Car Night @ Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Knoxville Smokies game
Saturday 8/2 – Bobby Stone Film Series: O Brother, Where Art Thou? @ The Walker Theatre
Saturday 8/2 – Cuatro Cinco @ Hi-Fi Clyde’s
Thursday 8/7 – Whitey Morgan & The 78’s @ The Caverns
Friday 8/8 – Ben Nichols (Lucero) & Friends @ Cherry Street Tavern
Friday 8/8 – Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick w/ Thelma and the Sleaze @ The Caverns
Saturday 8/9 – Yacht Rock Schooner w/ Swayyvo @ Riverfront Nights
Wednesday 8/13 – Chris Isaak @ The Walker Theatre
Thursday 8/14 – Andy Sydow & The Minor League @ The Woodshop
Thursday 8/14 – Sunday 8/17 – The Grateful Dead Movie @ Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater
Friday 8/15 – The Afternooners w/ Underground Springhouse and The Band Solstice @ Barrelhouse Ballroom
Friday 8/15 – Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck @ The Line Up Off Battlefield – Northwest Georgia Amphitheater
Friday 8/15 – Kind Hearted Strangers @ Hi-Fi-Clyde’s
Saturday 8/16 – Lookout Wild Film Festival @ Barrelhouse Ballroom
Saturday 8/16 – Grateful Dead Night @ Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Montgomery Biscuits game
Saturday 8/16 – Cuatro Cinco @ Yellow Racket Records
Sunday 8/17 – Umphrey’s McGee @ The Caverns
Wednesday 8/20 – SUSTO @ Songbirds
Thursday 8/21 – Alice Cooper @ Memorial Auditorium
Thursday 8/21 – Seth Walker @ McLemore Resort
Friday 8/22 – Sunday 8/24 – Lee Bains & The Glory Fires (Live Album Recording) @ Cherry Street Tavern
Friday 8/22 – America @ Memorial Auditorium
Friday 8/22 – Muscadine Bloodline @ Sand Mountain Amphitheater
Saturday 8/23 & Sunday 8/24 – Watermelon Festival @ McDonald Farm
Saturday 8/23 – The NEW Quintet w/ Levi Ouimet @ The Woodshop
Saturday 8/23 – Dwight Yoakam @ Memorial Auditorium
Saturday 8/23 – Collective Soul, Live & Our Lady Peace @ Sand Mountain Amphitheater
Tuesday 8/26 – Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas @ Memorial Auditorium
Thursday 8/28 – Sunny Sweeney @ Songbirds
Thursday 8/28 – The Resonant Rogues w/ The Appalachian Son @ The Woodshop
Thursday 8/28 – Willa Mae w/ Franzy & Lunch Meat @ Cherry Street Tavern
Thursday 8/28 – Thursday 9/4 – Jaws (50th Anniversary) @ Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater
Friday 8/29 – Three Star Revival & Et Cetera @ Songbirds
Saturday 8/30 – The Briars @ Puckett’s Restaurant
Saturday 8/30 – The Brotherhood: A Doobie Brothers Tribute w/ Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers @ Riverfront Nights
And in case you may not be familiar with any of these artists I’ve highlighted above, I created a Spotify playlist of some of my favorite songs from most of them for you to enjoy:
