We Are Hangin’ with the J’s (Jerry, Justin, Joe, and Jimmy)
New Bern, NC ~ Friday, June 6, 2025 ~ I’m excited to recap the last several weeks as we walk into the Summer season later this month. Over the last several weeks, I’ve met a new solo act and reconnected with a few familiar faces. I kept it local and explored all the bridges and overpasses in New Bern, finding live music all around town.
To the musicians, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing your music. To my readers, thank you for taking the time to read. I am happy to introduce you to all these talented people. Let’s see who moves and grooves us on this joy ride. I’m sure glad you’re here; let’s roll.
Jerry Gaff Visits James City from the Mountains of WNC
Our first guest is a new face here. Welcome, Jerry Gaff, a singer-songwriter who enjoys telling stories while sharing music with his audiences. Gaff calls Waynesville, NC, home. The music maker was born and raised in Northern Indiana but has been based in North Carolina for about a decade. He came here for a job opportunity and remained because he finds the mountains mesmerizing and inspiring. This was Gaff’s second appearance at BrÜtopia. He plays popular favorites spanning folk, country, pop, and rock, and offers many of his songs.
While reviewing his Linktree, I found some of his songs on SoundCloud. He also has a YouTube channel. Speaking of, here is a video I added to my Tracey Stones Channel, marking his visit earlier this month.
Gaff is open to traveling the roads and bringing his show anywhere in the mountains that feel more like home, but he is also open to exploring our coast and many towns and cities in between. According to his website, he has been writing and sharing his music since his mid-teens. He’s played music for audiences from Tacoma, WA, to Erie, PA, and now, around, he calls the Asheville circuit home base. When I reached out to the songwriter via his website, he told me, “I have played as far west as Iowa City, north into Indiana and Pennsylvania, south down into Florida. I did a wedding in Luxor, Egypt, for my daughter.” In short, Gaff said, “I am willing to travel if the compensation is right. Ideally, I try to get two gigs in the same area around the same time frame if possible.”
Gaff manages his career and is interested in finding more venues that seek his storytelling music style. He enjoys intimate settings, as they support storytelling. Gaff tells me that he is also available for house concerts. “That is always a great way to meet and connect with new people.” He looks forward to making music in a venue near you soon. Also noteworthy, Gaff is currently working on a new release in a PA-based studio. He hopes to have new music released by the end of the year. The preferred way to reach Jerry Gaff is via email at gaffjerry@duck.com; you can also visit Jerry Gaff or call/text (814) 490-8007.
I was introduced to the singer while he was making music in the corner of Brütopia. Owned by Brewmaters’ Bryan Conway and Tim Dryden, this small corner craft beer bar has been supporting local live music since it opened its doors in 2017. In addition to offering solo and duo acts on most Friday nights throughout the year, they also invited him to host a monthly open jam with Charlie Duzan and his co-host, Patti Hansen. That jam takes place on the third Saturday of the month from 1 PM until closing. All are welcome to share a song or dance along.
All the beers on tap in the tasteroom are brewed in-house, and many are distributed to local bars in surrounding counties. I have found Brütopia beer in my travels through Pamlico, Craven, and Carteret counties. They also offer kegs for your next beer pong party. Visit their website to learn more and stop by their taproom to sample their offerings.
Justin Castellano From the Patio to The Pointe
I met our next act more than a decade ago, many moons before I was blabbering about a blog. I can honestly say, though, that it’s because of finding talented gems like Justin Castellano, nestled in our local scene, that inspires me to bring this blog to life. Castellano was a big supporter of those early efforts. It wasn’t long after I started my journey that he reached out and asked me to conduct interviews with local guitarists for a Facebook page he had created. Guitar Resources highlighted many local guitarists and shared videos of their performances.
Castellano is a professional musician. He has been performing for a living throughout his life and has been a solo act for as long as I have been watching his jams. The six-string servant has written many of his songs but has made a living by putting smiles on people’s faces, sharing familiar songs popularized by others.
Castellano has mad skills with an acoustic guitar in his hands and a small tambourine on his left shoe. Like all professionals, he interacts with his audience. At some point in the evening, he introduces the band. It’s a cute skit. He wasn’t ready for me when I asked him, “How long have y’all been together?”
In addition to being an influencer and digital creator on social media, he is a wedding singer who has performed at funerals and life celebrations. When we spoke last week about his calendar, we discussed its evolution over the years. He has transitioned from pushing the play button on venues to being in demand for private ceremonies, so his time is now split. Of course, as an entertainer, he appreciates every private party and event that comes his way, as that is where the profit margin expands. His work ethic and dedication to his career have helped the local guitarist become a nationally recognized talent, with Guitar World and Guitar Player Magazines both recognizing his craft and skill.
It’s kind of strange to me, as a bystander of local music scenes for 30 years, to note that no one has gotten a raise in this industry. I’ve not seen anything like the music scene. I think that’s my allure to it. Not enough light is ever shone on the music makers out there who make people happy and want to dance, only so they can pack up and go back to their real life of bills and blah! I admire them for their commitment. Castellano has been committed to playing the guitar since catching the bug at a young age. This made me wonder if his son will follow in his footsteps.
When I inquire about his son Sebastian, Castellano tells me that he, too, has the guitar bug and has been working on it for the past few years. They have publicly jammed together, and it is evident that he is proud of his one and only son.
For anyone who hasn’t heard this fun solo act, be sure to add him to the schedule soon. He will be performing tonight at On The Rocks, 2604 W. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC. Live music is offered every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.
For his New Bern friends and fans, Castellano will return in June and perform at the same two venues I caught him at in May, as well as a couple of others. He will be at New Bern Golf & Country Club on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Music is served to members from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The following evening, you can find him back on the patio at Michael’s Pub & Patio on Friday, June 13, 2025, performing on the patio for diners from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. He performs at Baxter’s 1982 on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. He will return to The Pointe Restaurant located in Fairfield Harbour on Thursday, June 26, 2025. That show is open to the public, and music is served with dinner from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
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Joe Baes Takes A Pause For A Cause At The Brown Pelican
Our next artist has a heart of gold and offers some of my favorite original tunes. Joe Baes is a talented guitarist with a flair for alternative rock and a creative pen that helps him survive this crazy life, one he enjoys living out here in New Bern with his best friend and wife of 43 years, Donna.
I met Baes my second Summer out on the scene. I stopped by the DoubleTree in New Bern one late Saturday afternoon to hear a band whose name I had never heard in my 10 months of bouncing around the scene. Music started early on the deck in those days. It was my first encounter with The Joe Baes Project. For that show, the project featured a quartet of rockers, and half of them were more curious about what I was doing there.
I have to say, they were the first band to take a break and stop by my table to ask what I was doing with my cameras. It was Baes and his founding bass player, Mike Galloway. This makes sense in hindsight, given Galloway’s media background. Since those early days, Galloway has moved to the Rockies and is living his best life. But the drummer, Jonathan Toler, still keeps the beats with Baes.
I met up with the one who stayed, and the namesake of the music project, Joe Baes, at the end of a fundraiser in mid-May, at The Brown Pelican. Baes was on hand to promote and raise funds for another project, one that his dear friend Bethany Richards founded nearly a decade ago when she pedaled her way into the hearts of thousands with her Bike Box Project.
She started her journey in 2016 when she went looking for help for her aging father after a Parkinson’s diagnosis. When she learned more about the disease that plagued her father, she attached a box to her bike and started collecting donations.
Since those early days, Richards founded a nonprofit focused on Parkinson’s research and built a brick-and-mortar facility in our town to provide support, services, and resources for those facing what Richards faced just a decade ago. I remember the early days of her moving through town with her box and bike. What she has done with the money collected is nothing short of a miracle and blessing for New Bern. Today, this woman is a powerhouse in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, having helped raise significant awareness and funding for global research while making resources available to her local community members.
One of her constant community supporters has been rocker Joe Baes. Kind hearts often team up for outstanding work; this is just one example. Baes has hosted events at various locations over the years and even collaborated with Brütopia on a beer. They offer $1.00 to the project for each Squeeze the Pig beer pour.
At this last event, the fundraiser offered great music, as Joe Baes, even when not with his band, is accompanied by a talented group of friends and family. Last month was no exception. Cruz was on hand to celebrate his birthday and add vocals to Baes. Though I was late to the party, I support Richards’ mission in helping our community fight back against Parkinson’s Disease. Please check out her website and stop by her new gym.
Her signature fundraising event is Bernin’ to the Beach at the end of October each year. Funds raised by that annual event go to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Richards turned her despair into hope for anyone who wakes up to face the day they or their family member is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Today, this champion of the cause has cultivated a place of hope and healing in her hometown after her search to learn more and make a difference.
Not long after I arrived, I asked Baes to lay an original on me, and he offered, “I Remember,” a song he wrote while serving our country. I included a short on my YouTube Channel.
Although I was late to the party on the night of the fundraiser, I arrived in time to meet Ted Pope, who had been held up at an event in Fayetteville, NC, earlier in the day, but made it in time to distribute some of his fabulous potato chips. Pope and Baes collaborated after their active military service. They assisted our government by creating training manuals for new enlistees. Baes is a retired Marine, and Pope retired from the Army.
I spoke with Pope about his Company, Avnar Foods, and its product, Limyé Potato Chips. He told the crowd that his business partner is an active-duty Marine and a chef. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, the father of two was inspired to start his company after his son was diagnosed with Autism. Upon learning more about his son’s diagnosis, he did more nutrition research and talked about his vision with his friend, who helped him come up with a people-friendly chip.
Avnar Foods offers Certified Kosher, All-Natural, Vegan Friendly, Allergen-Free, Gluten-Free, and tasty potato chips. They offer three flavors: Bud Naked Chips, Sweet Heat BBQ Chips, and World Spice Chips. You won’t find these delicious chips in the local stores just yet, but you can buy them on Amazon and via Shopify. The food company is currently constructing a new manufacturing plant in Swansboro, NC, its home base for the veteran and entrepreneur. Be sure to like them on Facebook and order some via the attached links to enjoy a tasty snack at the beach this Summer.
As friends and fans of Joe Baes, you can find the rocker in New Bern this weekend as he debuts at Firefly Café, 109 B Pollock St., New Bern, NC, this Saturday, June 7, 2025, serving the sounds from 7 to 10 PM.
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Jimmy Parker Jams at The Flying Fox
After wrapping up with Joe Baes at The Brown Pelican, I stopped by The Flying Fox to check in with Jimmy Parker. Parker was busy sharing songs with those enjoying the popular spot. I met the singer about a year ago when he was jamming at The Pourhouse Bar, located at 222 Middle St., New Bern, NC. I was taken aback when I went to introduce myself to the entertainer on break, and he replied, “I know who you are!”
That always takes me by surprise, as if it were my first year out here. It can feel lonely out here in the busy music scene at times. I’m not entirely sure how to dive into the statistics, but I know my readership is not where I would like it to be. In my mind, no one is paying attention when, in reality, quite a few do. But with Parker, he not only knew who I was without meeting me; he understood exactly what I was trying to do for my local music scene with my modest website ambitions.
The solo entertainer relocated here with his wife several years ago to be closer to family and make a fresh start outside of the area where they established themselves, St. Louis, MO. Midwestern city life is quite different from our coastal living, but they are adapting well as they expand their animal farm and enjoy the views and seascapes of our area. Calling Newport, NC home, Parker plays a fun little circuit around Craven and Carteret Counties. While chatting with him via text, I realized we have another thing in common: the only thing we both miss about big-city life is the food. I say this as well, and I am quick to add, but not enough to go back. As you will note, the rocker stays plenty busy for a part-time player. Check out his lineup at Jimmy Parker 2025 Dates.
For the real fun and money needed in life, Parker designs websites for a St Louis-based company. WordPress is a complex system he uses at his workplace. After navigating a few things with Parker, he saw another side of it and agreed that they don’t make it easy for solo entrepreneurs to figure this out. This was proven when I asked him about a landing page and a calendar. After seven years of effort, Parker finally helped make the site significantly better. He also gained insight into how frustrating it can be for the underdog.
For anyone looking for some live music tonight, Parker is at the Beaufort Bar from 9-12 PM. Parker’s favorite gigs are where he can offer background music for patrons. He has two shows lined up tomorrow, Saturday, June 7, 2025. The first is a lunch show from 12-3 PM at Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill in Morehead City, followed by a dinner show at On The Rocks in Atlantic Beach from 7:30-9:30 PM. If Sunday works better for your schedule, catch him By The Bridge in Swansboro from 2-5 PM.
You can follow the entertainer at Jimmy Parker Music on Facebook. Be sure to like his page upon arrival and check him out soon. Parker returns to New Bern next Friday, June 13, 2025, for another appearance at The Flying Fox. If you missed him last month, you can catch him following ArtWalk next week. New Bern hosts a monthly ArtWalk, and all are welcome to stroll through the local shops and enjoy the area’s artists. ArtWalk is held on the second Friday of most months. Many shops participate, and a few local acts serenade on our streets during the monthly town tradition.
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A Note from the Creator
Thank you for reading this blog. Please leave a comment below so I know you’ve been here. I appreciate every like and share that helps get this music blog out to more people. I do this to shine a brighter light on the local music scene in North Carolina. With so many talented players found throughout and around the state, I make it my mission to discover new music and new places each week. If you like the work I am doing and want to throw some gas money my way, I accept tips via PayPal and appreciate everyone who supports my efforts along the way. Next week, we take off on a few adventures. We will visit Oriental, Beaufort, and a few more places to find music and dance. I hope to see you out on the dance floor soon.
