Rockin’ Around the Region
Second Helping is a Skynyrd Fan’s Delight
Kinston, NC~ Second Helping is the North Carolina-based Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band that delivers authentic Southern rock hits made popular by the band throughout its career. The idea first formed in the mind of guitarist Chris McCallister. McCallister was friends with the band, and when they reformed in the late ’80s after the dreaded plane tragedy in the ’70s, he caught a rehearsal down in Florida and told them someone needed to create a tribute to this band. So he went home and did just that more than 30 years ago.
I have been a fan of this band since I first heard them in 2017. Since then, I have tried to catch them at a show or two each year. The last two shows I saw were at The Proof in Kinston. This is one of two home stages for the 10-piece band, which is mainly located in and around Lenoir County. Rocking on stage, we meet lead singer, Jon Riggs, James Jones and Tom Spellman join McCallister on guitars, the bass man is Rick King, drummer Cory Avery and Jackie Johnson is behind the piano and Hammond B3. The harmonies are a trio of beautiful voices: Fleeta Griffith, Laura McCallister, and Tracey Brenneman.
I got to know the band personally when my friend, Spellman, joined the six-string southern rock brigade. When I formally met the guitar player in 2015, we became fast friends and have enjoyed a fun decade of memories based on music, food, and nature. Before meeting him personally, I heard about his heavy metal band via the front man and mutual friend John Morgan. He and Spellman fueled our local hard rock vibes with the band Kill Mercy two decades ago. I should mention that they recently regrouped with a new bass player and are working on new material today. However, when we met a decade later, his hard rock, hair-slinging performances were at rest, and his techniques were fully displayed with a jazz trio called Casa Blanca. He also held notes for a family band, Mimic, when he joined his mom, Laura McCallister, on stage with Second Helping.
If you have not seen this premiere Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band, set your sights on some of their NC dates. Next month, the LaGrange Chili Festival is on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11 AM. They will be the featured band for Sands in the Street in Kinston on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 5 PM. The following night, they will perform for the Music on Main Series in Downtown Williamston, NC. They are also booked for the Jacksonville Summer Concert Series; that show is slated for Friday, August 22, 2025. All of their show dates are on their website. They will hit several new places this year as they take it to the fans.
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The Wannabees rock BellaGreen Latin Sports Bar & Grill.
Greenville, NC ~ The Wannabees offered a fun show of classic rock done right a couple of weeks ago at BellaGreen Latin Sports Bar & Grill in Greenville, NC. These fellas have a long history with deep roots in rock. They play popular songs that were on the rock charts when they were in school.
They didn’t just hit the scene. This popular rock quartet has been a fixture on the local scene for the past five decades. They are well seasoned with old-time rock and roll. Their set list offers a fun mix of songs by artists popular in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, AC<DC, Tom Petty, Blue Oyster Cult, The Doobie Brothers, and many more.
The Wannabees was one of the first local bands I met in 2014. We first connected when they played for the First Annual Barn Bash for Promise Place. I also met sound guru John Parker and Dan Jam Phillips for the first time that night. Big Jim and Kathy Kohler attended. At that event, I became better friends with Les Wetherington and Josh Overby, whom I had previously met at Bambooz Tiki Bar during a blues jam hosted by the Kohlers. In those days, the friends were rocking with 3 Day Weekend. This was before Overby went BiPolar with Wick Wickline and Mike Lancaster. Our friend, Wetherington, filled me in on the history of music around the region from 2014 until his passing in April 2020. He introduced me to many players, including The Wannabees guitarists, Larry Swinson and Tod Stilley. He also introduced me to Bill Lyerly and Sutter’s Gold Streak Band and explained event planning better than anyone could. Wetherington was a fan of the growing New Bern Scene and helped it thrive with the events he planned.
As for The Wannabees, the band features, as mentioned above, Swinson on guitar and lead vocals, Stilley on lead guitar and vocals, Jason Patterson behind the kit, who often lends to harmonies, and Pee Wee Watson is the newcomer on bass and vocals. After creating the blog, Swinson was one of the first musicians to reach out and interview me. He invited me to his office to learn more about my ambitions. That is when I realized that he is a money man.
He was pretty straightforward. He asked how I expected to earn money to support myself. HAHAHAHHHH! As a businesswoman myself, I understand numbers. I have been basing my annual goals on the numbers of the previous year for 20 years. But like many music makers, this blog is my side hustle and contribution to my community. I dream of creating a product I can continue building in retirement as I chase live music to my grave. Keep reading so that we can.
As for my friends, The Wannabees, they perform at various venues around the state throughout the year. When I last caught them, it was in Greenville, NC at BellaGreen’s, and it was a magical night. Their friends from Raleigh’s party band, The Amazing Lounge Lizards, stopped in and joined forces for a Mother’s Finest song. I added their take of Baby Love to my YouTube Channel. Swinson is in another rock band called Gene’s Addiction with Kirk Matthews, who joins him on stage. They offer a fun set of Kiss music for those who don’t know it. I have caught them at several benefit shows for area music makers.
Looking at the weeks ahead you can catch The Wannabees live at Locked and Loaded Bar & Grill in Garner, NC on Saturday, April 5, 2025; Blackbeards Triple Play Sports Bar in New Bern, NC on Saturday, April 19, 2025; Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill in South Port, NC on Saturday, May 10, 2025; Blackbeard’s Triple Play again in New Bern, NC for a Special Sunday Memorial Weekend Show on Sunday, May 25, 2025 before returning to the piedmont region for another show at Locked and Loaded in Garner on Saturday, May 31, 2025. They return to Rusty Hooks on Saturday, June 7, 2025. To keep up with the band, follow them on Facebook.
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Craven ~ Carteret’s Salty Bones
New Bern, NC ~ Saturday, February 15, 2025 ~ The Salty Bones Band consists of: Josie Mullins lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, and keyboards; Steve Hallee bass guitar and harmonies; Gary Wood drums, percussion, lead and supporting vocals; and David Daggett lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitar. When the band first came together as a trio, Mullens, Wood, and Hallee had an idea for a Peter, Paul, and Mary– style tribute band, but after the community critics waned, that idea went out the window. Still, the three-part harmonies idea stuck around, and the trio built a solid set of fun songs. Before long, they became a quartet when Daggett joined the front line.
The band is based in Craven and Carteret counties, with players living in New Bern, Morehead City, and Newport. They play around the area most weekends. You can catch them tonight in New Bern at Pinky’s Pub. Be sure to like their Salty Bones Band page on Facebook and check out their website, SaltyBonesBand.com, to learn more about these area rockers.
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Piedmont Area Rockers Stray Volts
I first caught this next band several years ago when they came to rock New Bern on NYE. They are high-energy and offer a lengthy song list of tunes from the ’80s through yesterday. The fierce and fiery quartet of rockers, Stray Volts, is a high-energy party band based in the Triangle region. They want people to address them by their first name.
They feature front lady Angie on vocals. Behind the kit, keeping the beats and working the lights is Jeremy. John offers supporting vocals and bass, and Marcel plays lead guitar. Together, they are a powerhouse of fun music brought front and center with energy to match. This is why the band has won award after award for band of the year in the Triangle area for the last few years. If you have not seen this band yet, take the time to check them out. They will be rocking the Owl’s Roost tonight in Franklinton, NC.
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LaGrange’s The Revelers Rock It
I met Beth and Dee Johnson, an acoustic duo, at The Flying Fox earlier this year while they offered their show to New Bern friends and fans. The following week, I was surprised to find this rocking couple standing front and center for the La Grange-based rock quartet The Revelers. This is another Lenoir County-based band rocking out on the regular scene. I recently contacted Beth to get the scoop on her, Dee, and their band.
Beth Johnson says, “Dee and I met in 1997 in Goldsboro when he played with the three-piece band Marshall, Wayne & Stevens. At that time, we started performing as an acoustic duo. Dee and our drummer, Ronnie “Fatback” Stroud, have played together since high school. In the early 90s, they toured with Nashville Recording Artist Don Cox while having the opportunity to open for some big-name acts.”
As for their rock cover band, Johnson tells me, “We formed The Revelers in 2007 with Ronnie on drums and Darrin ‘D-Man’ Stephens, our current bass player. In 2013, we took a break to take care of our growing families with intentions of it only being temporary. But as luck would have it, life happened… grand babies, home improvement projects, and COVID extended it longer than anticipated. We reunited The Revelers in February 2023 with original band members Ronnie and Darrin and have been working hard to rebuild our fan base. We are a variety party band that try to cover something for everyone.”
Because of their fun and familiar songs, they would be great for a street fair or any town concert series. They are also available for private parties and weddings. To learn more about their availability, contact the band today by phone at (252) 526-1800 or email them at therevelersnc@gmail.com. They are also available for club shows at any venue near you. Please look them up and like their page today. If you find yourself around New Bern tonight, catch The Revelers live tonight on the deck at Blackbeard’s Triple Play.
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A Note From The Creator
Getting back to my conversations with Swinson in the early days, so that readers better understand it, this blog makes money through support. Community backers and advertisers generally fuel blog efforts like this one. Donations, sponsorships, and partnerships are always unique ways to assist my efforts to promote bands and venues. To break it down in dollars that make sense… I need four monthly sponsors and 100 monthly advertisers to offset the costs of my efforts and start making a profit. Most of my time and effort is spent telling the stories about the bands so that people will know they are out there and, hopefully, support them. This benefits the clubs and the bands; therefore, I hope bands and venues will consider this site as a place for posting their monthly lineup when promoting their music schedule. NCMZ.LIVE provides an extra layer over Facebook or Instagram for those seeking live music in your area. Thanks for reading. Please share this blog with your friends.
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