New Bern Music Calendar
Are you aware that New Bern has a music scheduler? It’s a true story. Joanne Wang Friedman is a music maker in her own right, playing guitar since the age of 11 and the violin since the age of 60. Friedman also dabbles in the dulcimer, piano, banjo, and autoharp. Though she is versed in music, she is most valued for her behind-the-scenes work.
She created the Facebook Page New Bern Music Calendar with her husband, Bob Milner. The couple moved to New Bern from Newburgh, NY, and settled in a quaint home in our historic district. They purchased the house in 2009 and moved in several years later. Calling New Bern home since 2015, the couple started the calendar page in 2018, Friedman told me, “After going to town and realizing there was no place to find out who was playing where.” When I asked her what made New Bern special, she said, “New Bern seemed very special when we moved here because of the many music venues. It is also a place for musicians to try their music before an audience and have fun.”
The couple shared a deep passion for music throughout their time together, and I remember Bob had an endless collection of records that he was proud to show off. I enjoyed getting to know the two music enthusiasts in those early years. The two often went to shows throughout their time together and enjoyed their choice of New Bern as it was coming to life, just about the time cancer was sneaking into their lives. Milner fought a fierce battle with lung cancer. To stay productive and focused on music, they created a Facebook page and started publishing events for all the music around town.
Friedman continues to do the work they both started to honor her husband’s memory. I value her contributions, which extend far beyond a Facebook page.
Gypsy Sunrise performs at The Brown Pelican 2/2017
I met her and became friends with the couple long before the days of the New Bern Music Calendar. It was back when she was playing with a band called Gypsy Sunrise. She had turquoise highlights in her hair and a violin under her chin. The next time I met her was again at The Brown Pelican, with a six-string acoustic jamming with Dan Jam for an ArtWalk gig.
Since then, I have seen her perform with flowers in her hair and with many of our local jammers, and I always enjoy her company.
A few weeks ago, we enjoyed Jammco at The Brown Pelican when Big Jim had to leave. Kathy Kohler sang a couple of songs with the backing rhythm section, Josh Mineer, drums, and Phillip Austin, bass, when Friedman joined in with Kohler’s guitar to close out the day’s jams.
I have always encouraged her efforts with the calendar page, as she helps me in my work by keeping the many events of our city straight. Representing a busy little music town like ours takes a lot of work, and she has done it for years with grace and poise.
She is a musician who works hard at keeping the music pulsating in the heart and boogie in seat of Craven County. Giving people a place to go to find out who is playing where is always a great resource. Her page is one that I have been relying on since it was created. In the early days, I shared with her how I gathered my info, and she hyper-focused her efforts on New Bern, while I saw the entire state as a park to play in.
Speaking of parks, you can meet the New Bern Music Calendar girl at Union Point Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Friedman is instrumental in bringing The Global Citizenship Festival to New Bern. This is the second annual offering for this event which is presented by the non profit ATEG (Arts to End Genocide). The event is free to the public, with music and dance starting at 3:00 PM. You are encouraged to bring a chair and your friends and family too. There will be food truck on site to feed festival goers. I always recommend some bug spray and sunblock for good measure.
Having said that, if you enjoy our local music scene be sure to like and follow the New Bern Music Calendar Page. As for my friend Joanne, she stays busy surrounding herself with ways to make our little town more music infused. When I asked her what other events she helps with she said, “I just finished getting musicians that play on the porches of the New Bern Historical Society Annual Homes Tour…This is the third year I have done this. We had 14 different musicians/groups and it is such a joy to work with the very generous music people in this town.”
Thank you, Joanne, for all you do for us. You are a genuine rock star.
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Music from Bear City to the Beach
Nostalgic Knights on the Deck at DoubleTree
For those looking for a nostalgic band to offer live music, Galloway said, “The best way to contact the band is via their Facebook Band Page, or direct call/text to band manager Mitch Galloway, (252) 259-5956. Please become a fan and follow their page. Be sure to visit often and look under the events tab to see where they are playing!”
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Salty Bones Band Rocks Pinky’s Pub
Salty Bones Band is no stranger to this blog or the New Bern area, and they should be no stranger to you if you live around the Crystal Coast or the Downeast Region of the state. Offering popular classic rock cover tunes, they are a quartet of talent that serves up some superb harmonies. The band started as a trio a few years ago but quickly changed direction and became a quartet complete with two keyboard players, two guitar players, four singers, and a rhythm section. Josie Mullins was the one who got the bug to band together with friends. Joining Mullins on guitar, vocals, and keyboard is Dave Daggett. Steve Halle plays bass and lends vocals, and rounding out the rocking quartet is drummer Gary Wood, also miked for vocals.
I generally catch the band at Pinkys when they roll through my town, but you can find them in New Bern twice a month. They rock at the DoubleTree also. As noted above, the hotel has returned to its deck party offerings courtesy of Confluence Restaurant and Lounge. They offer fine food paired with fun music every Friday and Saturday from 6-9 PM and Sundays from 5-8 PM. Be sure to plan to enjoy music, food, and fun there soon. Salty Bones will bring their Salt on the Rim Tour to Bear City on Memorial Day Weekend when they rock Pinkys Pub on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Music plays from 7:30 -10:30 PM.
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Packhouse Brings Their Jams to The Brown Pelican
I love the jam band from Cove City, Packhouse. I was first introduced to them at the start of the year and was thoroughly pleased to make their acquaintance at The Brown Pelican, so when they were there again last month, I did stop by to enjoy their musically delightful offerings.
The quartet of jammers includes Dave Weatherly (Percussion), Ashlan Crawford (Drums), Matthew Crawford (Bass), and John Honbarrier (Guitar). They emerge onto the scene fresh from Cove City after immersing themselves in many late-night jam sessions. They offer music that will delight any jam fan, while each show provides a fun musical experience for friends and fans of the band. Matthew explained, “Each performance is a unique journey shaped by on-stage chemistry and the crowd’s energy. Whether stretching a song into uncharted sonic landscapes or curating themed sets, Packhouse continually evolves, inviting audiences to embrace something new and unpredictable every night.”
Pack a tent and cooler for those seeking a fun music experience and plan to celebrate the unofficial start of Summer in Maysville, NC, at Club Swedish. Ben Swedish has been having a party for Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-23, 2025), along the White Oak River for three years. If you have not participated in the event, mark your calendars today and call your friends to plan a camping weekend. It will be a musically infused fun experience with plenty of talent on the bill. Packhouse will bring their show Saturday night before Bring Out Yer Dead wraps up the third annual event.
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Beach Bound Blogger Finds Music In Beaufort
Hank Barbee Live on Stage at Cru
Seeing Hank Barbee live at Cru Bar & Wine Store in Beaufort, NC, has always interested me. I suppose it brings me back to the first time I walked into one of his gigs. It was some time ago, and we’ve been fast friends since. I met the long and lean baritone serenador in July 2016. The first gig I booked for him in New Bern was August 27, 2017, at The Brown Pelican.
I am not only a fan of his music, but I admire him as a human. He is uplifting and inspiring, even when life kicks rocks. I suppose I admire how he turns those life experiences into a song to impart healing to others.
I have watched the artist reinvent himself several times as he commits his life and time on earth to his music career. That’s to be expected.
When I stopped in to see him last weekend at Havens of Southport, I reminded him how playing in a band can often feel like a merry-go-round ride, which brings the artist full circle, sometimes more than once. Barbee is a perfect example of the reincarnated music maker. His career has spanned decades, bands, and has stretched throughout the country’s southeastern region. He has been a band leader and a backup vocalist. He has been the lead guitarist for his band and a solo act all in the same week, and he does all this while striving to make a living as an artist without starvation, preferably.
Hank Barbee Then~above (Cru Bar 7/ 7/2016) and Hank Barbee Now ~ below (Cru Bar 5/2/2025)
Barbee is rich with talent, which is often unleashed in his original compositions. Throughout the time I have known him, Barbee kept a full-time schedule making music, that is, until he was put in time out by a ganglion cyst that developed on his wrist last year. This might not sound like a big deal until you pick up a guitar and try to play without a functioning wrist. The pesky growth caused enough pain to incapacitate the player for months. Barbee will use most of this music season to rebuild his following and strengthen his hand.
My greatest worry in it all was for my friend’s state of mind and post-surgery recovery. Let’s say, I prayed for him a lot. Like many artistic personalities, Barbee grew to struggle with addictions during his first rodeo with music, a lifetime ago. That ran its course in Atlanta, GA, about when Barbee would return to Richlands, NC. After years of watching alcohol take center stage, Barbee committed himself to sobriety and accepted the fact that he had some dependency issues.
He stepped away from music to regroup and contemplated other paths, but eventually, music would win the battle for his heart. Barbee committed to the dream again and released a self-titled eleven-track disc in 2012 on his label Eleven O’clock Records. When we talk about his recovery journey, it is personal for him. And you can hear that in many of the artists’ songs. The follow-up disc, which came out several years later, was a band effort with The Dust Parade. Son Royale hit music streams in 2017. Though I am a fan of all of Barbee’s released efforts, I believe his best music remains inside of him and is ready for release.
Today, the songwriter has a home studio and always works on new material for fans.
My friend has endless songs and stories accumulated throughout the journey. He shares his grateful heart and tormented soul for the world to behold and listen. My friends and his fans in New Bern can find him with The Dust Parade at The Brown Pelican on Saturday evening, May 10, 2025. Music plays from 7-10 PM. There is a $15 admission fee payable at the door. Please note that the door charge goes directly to the band. For money savers looking for a pre-sale, buy your tickets on EventBrite now.
The best news is that Barbee is back and getting stronger with each gig. I ran into some New Bern fans at his show in Southport, and they asked me if he’s only playing solo. I said no. In short, when they do this for a living, the benefits are not great, and life always boils down to economics for all of us.
Barbee has the contacts to fill the bill for venues looking for a solid professional original music act. He offers solo shows, duo gigs with sax player Jim Durham, duets with his talented lady Taj Petrilli, and an entire Dust Parade is for hire too. They are available for bars and clubs, theater shows, and festivals. Venues looking to book Barbee or the band can contact him here: Hank Barbee.
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Wes Rider Live at Royal James
Just a few weeks ago, I introduced you to Wes Rider. The solo act from Swansboro, NC. This singer and stringer has been sharing songs for most of his life and spends much of his time along the coast. I finally met the stringer when he was performing in New Bern on the deck at the DoubleTree. During that show, he noted that he visits New Bern each month to perform at an assisted living home. After running into him again in Beaufort, I learned he’s been a regular at The Royal James Cafe for nearly a decade. Rider jams at the Royal James about once a month.
Speaking of jams, he hosts several open jams each month. When I contacted him to learn more, Rider said, “I host open mic/open jams in two locations on Topsail. Every 4th Sunday, I host an open mic/jam at Just Mikes in Surf City. Every other Sunday (except when it hits on the 4th), I host one at the Tiki Bar at North End Market in N. Topsail Beach. For those looking for the jams, head to Topsail on Sundays! Be sure to like and follow his music page and join him for a jam!
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Laverty/Stover Duo on the Deck at The Dock House Restaurant
I shared a story about not seeing Bob Laverty in many years, and now we are making up for lost time. A couple of weeks ago, I found the rocker for a second week, this time he was sharing songs at the Dock House Restaurant in Beaufort with bass man David Stover assisting in the jams. It was an excellent treat for diners, boaters, and passers-by like me. Following the show, I reached out to Bob and asked him more about his music background, and he told me, ” I started playing in high school, but put it aside for a career. Kids graduated from college, and I was 45. I started playing, and I never looked back. I had a video go to PBS, did weddings for 20 years, and now the band thing (perhaps the hardest thing I’ve ever done).”
Why does that not surprise me, I wonder as I write this. Laverty said, “Now it’s all about making memories with friends and bandmates. I’m 70 now and may get old someday when I have to get the guys together and say, “Remember when?” I’m always interested in video and photos for those memories.” Fans and friends are always encouraged to share their videos and photos with Laverty and the band. I find most bands love it when you share your photos and videos. Take it from a good source that shares pictures and vids often. Follow Laverty on Facebook and get out soon to see The Bob Laverty Band. This weekend, the trio of rockers will share songs at Floyd’s 1921 in Morehead City from 6-9 PM on Friday, May 9, 2025. They will also bloom in the Garden at Carolina Home & Garden this Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 6:30-9:30 PM.
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Todd Barnes & The Wild Hares Rock The Backstreet Pub
I caught the tail end of a wild rabbit Easter weekend as I walked up for the final three songs of Todd Barnes and The Wild Hares live on stage at The Backstreet Pub in Beaufort. It has been about a year since I last caught Barnes; he and his hares rocked the crowd during Croaker Festival 2024. There have been some personnel changes since then, but the band sounded great in the back of my favorite little music pub in Beaufort. This spot is special because it was the first place I found live music after I arrived in NC in 2005. As for this quartet of rockers, you can find them quite often rocking the Beaufort area as they hail from there. Barnes has been a fixture on their scene for decades and has been instrumental in growing it. For those interested in bringing Todd Barnes Music to a venue you book, email him at toddball13.tb@gmail.com. I have seen him solo, performing as an acoustic duo, and backed by a full band. Barnes will bring the music to fill your requests, regardless of the budget.
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A Note From Your Creator
I started this site to add an extra layer to live music promotions in the search bar. Many artists rely on social media to get the word out about upcoming shows. That is awesome, and I encourage everyone to use it. However, it is not the end-all, and it is not guaranteed that your fans and friends will be logged on and scrolling when algorithms align planets in social media space. Nonetheless, when used correctly, it is a great promotional tool. It allows you to create events, share pics, and create engaging posts to lure listeners to your upcoming show. By all means, use social media. Given that nobody on the local music scene has had a raise in 30 years, I understand why they rely on the free promotions of social media.
As a media agent and promotions professional, I intentionally created a space to link to social media. This site allows me to take your Facebook events, add them to my Google calendar, and share them on this WordPress site. This approach adds a couple more layers for search engines to scan for anyone searching for live music near them.
I use my Facebook pages mostly to share local musicians’ posts. I rarely engage in posts, and I don’t often have engaging posts, either. However, I am routine about asking my friends every Tuesday where they are playing. Click to see this week’s answers and follow my page while you are there. Area venues and bands share their details each week, and I always look forward to the answers as they help me plan my potential route.
If you are not following me, I encourage you to keep the beats with me here and on the social servers. I am on Facebook at Tracey Stones and would invite you to follow my blog page ncmz.live. I am also assisting my friends, the Tibbetts, in the Triangle with their page, Bands and Clubs of Eastern NC, so be sure to like and follow them too. Beyond Facebook and this WordPress site, I also record videos with various cameras and post many of those on my Tracey Stones YouTube Channel, so give that a like and subscribe there too!
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I look forward to seeing you out there!