It’s Time to Rock with Some Familiar Faces and Roll A Few New Bands Too

April 2, 2021April 12, 2021 Tracey Stones2 Comments

Catching Up with Ryan Rubich

I remember the day that Ryan Rubich signed up and made a commitment to his life in music. We were chatting in a Jacksonville restaurant when he made the declaration of his road ahead. I simply sat there and encouraged the young lad. I helped him write a bio and booked a couple of community gigs for his duo to get polished. It was an exciting time in his life, there was definitely a fire ablaze in his soul and it was radiating out from his fingertips.

I met Rubich at an open mic night at Crystal Coast Brewery in Atlantic Beach that was hosted by Tiffany Elaine. After hearing him jam a couple of times, at a few open mics hosted by Elaine, I invited the slinger to come to Fairfield Harbour for a show which would mark the first time I saw Rubich live his original beat keeper, Jared Cain. I had met Cain years before jamming in a couple of different projects with Irish Robinson. The duo played two shows for me. Once during the winter months, the duo jammed at The Community Center (above) and the second time they returned in the Summer for a show at Red Sail Park (below).

It wasn’t long after those days that Rubich got serious about his career and turned his full attention to his career. This focus has paid off and paved a way for the singer-songwriter to stay busy with music. Even during the down days of Covid-19, the stringer and singer compiled, recorded and released his debut EP. After catching Rubich at a couple recent shows, I touched base with him on messenger and asked about the new release.

I started with the basics. “Tell me about the new release,” I said, “When did it come out?”

Rubich replied, “Released November 20th, 2020. ‘Find Your Way‘.” Who produced and recorded the disc? “Mike Corrado produced/recorded it at his studio Grunt Tunes it was mixed by Tommy Brothers at Shoreline Studios in Wilmington. We sent it out to the west coast to be mastered at moontreemastering.” Now the songs are available on all platforms for fans to enjoy.

After listening to his new EP, I asked the artist about songwriting, I was curious if the music came first or the lyrics. Rubich said, “Personally I write a lot of music pretty easily but have to dig for a concept or idea about lyrics. Sometimes I see where the vibe of the music takes the lyrics or for it to inspire an idea. It’s something I’m still a novice at, but learning more day by day.”

I heard a rumor that he was working on a side project lately and the best I can say about that is the rumors are true. Rubich has teamed up with a new band. He will be the lead guitar player for a New Bern-based band with some popular players. The new five-piece rocking beach band will be rolling out in the weeks ahead. I have another interview in the works with the frontman for that band project. So be sure to keep it here to catch the waves to the beach.

Besides working things out with the new project, in rehearsal each week, Rubich says, “I’ll still be playing full-time solo, and I am lining up gigs with my band RUBICH’S CUBE. In fact, he wanted me to tell everyone, “We have a gig April 29th @ Dukenfields, Jacksonville, NC 10 pm – 1 am. That gig will feature Mike Sandvig on bass and Jacob Yepez on drums. Stay tuned for more band dates with things opening up!”

To keep up with the Jacksonville based guitar player Like his page Ryan Rubich Music Facebook. For those interested in checking out his music start here and pick your favorite platform: Find Your Way

Big News From Bryan Mayer

I caught up with Bryan Mayer a couple of weeks ago when he was performing live at Tap That Craft and Wine Bar. The local country crooner has been keeping busy with solo shows during the pandemic days of Covid-19. In fact he has a few shows coming up along the Crystal Coast in the days ahead. You can catch him at The Saltwater Grill in Swansboro, next Friday, April 9, 2021. On Sunday he will be rocking fans at Gaffer’s in Emerald Isle from 2-5 pm.

Earlier this week Mayer made a big announcement regarding a solo show coming up next month. Bryan Mayer will open for country music super star Tracy Lawrence when his tour stops in New Bern to perform at the new Maola Events Center. To get your tickets in advance of the May 8th performance follow this link: Tracy Lawrence Tickets.

I will be taking to Mayer next week about this amazing opportunity as well as find out what else is happening in the singer’s life these days. He really is chock full of good news with lots happening on the horizon.

Big Sam At Harbour Pointe For Supper Sounds

Sam Lewis was our guest performer for the dinner crowd last Thursday evening at Harbour Pointe Bar and Grille. Lewis was a big hit with the residents that enjoy live music as they dine.

Sam Lewis is a very busy bee on our local music scene. When he is not offering a solo show, he plays with a band, and sometimes he jams as a duo. But that’s not where it ends. In fact, his band excursions keep him busy most weekends but during the week, he hosts open mic nights and encourages others to sing while hosting karaoke.

Starting next week Big Sam takes his big Karaoke Act to Sara’s Big Apple. All are encouraged to come out and sing. It is good therapy to express yourself through music so, come hungry, dine in, and sing out loud! Sounds like a great weekly option for the Broad Creek Road neighborhoods.

Here is the itinerary for Lewis in the weeks ahead:

•Thurs 4/1• Sweet Edventures Dessert Bar Swansboro KARAOKE 7-10p

•Sat 4/3• The Growler Bar Emerald Isle FULL BAND 7-10p

•Sun 4/4• New Covenant Church EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30a

•Weds 4/7•Ducks Grille & Bar SOLO 6:30-9:30p

•Thurs 4/8•Sara’s Big Apple Pizza KARAOKE 6-8p

•Friday 4/9• BrÜtopia DUO/w Pretty Ricky 7-10p

•Sat 4/10• Bogue Sound Distillery DUO/w Pretty Ricky 7-10p

•Sun 4/11•Bake, Bottle & Brew-Willy Nilly Warehouse Solo 4-7p

•Weds 4/14• Ducks Grille & Bar SOLO 6:30-9:30p

•Thurs 4/15• Sara’s Big Apple Pizza KARAOKE 6-8p

•Fri 4/16• Salty Air Open Market DUO 6-9pm

•Sat 4/17• Rookies Sports Bar FULL BAND 7-10p

•Weds 4/21• Ducks Grille & Bar-SOLO- 6:30-9:30 pm

•Thurs 4/22• Sara’s Big Apple Pizza -KARAOKE- 6-8 pm

•Sun 4/25• Carolina Home and Garden DUO 1-3p

•Weds 4/28• Ducks Grille & Bar 6:30-9:30 SOLO

•Thurs 4/29• Sara’s Big Apple Pizza 6-8p -KARAOKE-

•Fri 4/30• The Office, Kinston DUO 7-10p

Before leaving his last gig I asked same to offer up an original song. He obliged with this:

The Little Things by Sam Lewis

Matt Riddle Live At The Brown Pelican

Matt Riddle is a Marine currently serving and living in New Bern. Just before press time, I reached out to Riddle on Facebook to learn more about him. I asked how long he has been playing? “I’ve been playing and singing roughly 27 years off and on. My mother introduced me to all kinds of music, I believe that in order to play good music you have to appreciate all types.” He definitely spreads out, offering everything from country to rock and more. When I walked in he was offering a rare cover of Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer.

I asked the stringer if he is from here, though I guess otherwise, he kindly replied, “I’m a transplant from Texas, I’m currently still in the Marine Corps, but my family and I have had a house here in New Bern since 2011 and we plan on staying in the area after I retire.”

“I do write my own music, I just haven’t performed it live too many times.” I can’t wait to see him again and request some original material for us.

As for gigging and looking for work playing, this entertainer says, “I’m always looking for more gigs that can fit into my busy schedule, if it works then I will play.” Riddle adds, “I love the way that music makes people feel, it is the outward expression of the soul.” As for reaching out and securing a date he says, “If anyone wants to book me they can reach me on here or by email at riddle1171@yahoo.com.

Amazing Lounge Lizards Groove Us Into the Weekend

I caught a sample of The Amazing Lounge Lizards while they were in town last Friday. This fun five piece party band hails from Raleigh and keeps busy around the Triangle area. I learned that have been rocking the scene with this current line up for just about a year.

One thing for sure they are full of energy and offer a great variety of popular party songs that span the decades from the ‘70s through today.

This weekend the band will bring the fun and funk to The Real McCoy’s tomorrow night. Music starts at 6 pm. To follow the band and keep up on all their dates like them on Facebook here: The Amazing Lounge Lizards.

Joe Brown & The Band Take Tap That

Our own local groove master, Joe Brown brought his band to Tap That last Friday to usher us into the weekend.

This would make for the second time I enjoyed Joe Brown, frontman and entertainer extraordinaire. For nearly five years I have been shooting pics and filing Brown behind the keyboard.

The first time I caught him front and center without a row of ivories at his fingertips, it was New Year’s Eve, on the very same stage. For that gig, he was backed by two keyboard players and the band. Last Friday he was backed by only one keyboard player. The popular Brandon Shamar kept the keys 🎹 grooving in time to the beats. Offering the backbeats for the night was the incredible Jasmine Best on drums. Also sitting in that night was guitar player Chris Campbell, who shared some pretty blues grooves and turned up the funk too when it was time.

We were all there to celebrate the front man himself, as Joe Brown finally turned 21 on March 22! Repetition is an important part of being a music maker and turn 21 over and over again keeps you young! Keep celebrating! Cheers!

Currently the band as no upcoming events to share, but keep it here as I am sure that is about to change with so many things returning to normal.

Adam Hill Music Monthly Rewind

I don’t know if I can really explain it, but when I tell you that music is powerful and impatctual upon the soul, I think of the movement my own soul when exposed to some Adam Hill music.

I can say this, I have had a love affair with music for as long as Adam Hill has existed. And for as long as I have been paying attention, one thing is true…Sometimes you come upon an artist that stops you dead in your tracks and makes you pay attention to music on a whole new level. That is exactly what Hill did to me.

I stopped out to check out the band Solid Ground and that is when Hill became a focal point of my music affections, not long after he offered this awesome version of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile on stage at Jean’s in Havelock.

Was he the first? No! I have been at this longer than Adam has been making music. Being a decade older than the slinger is my only advantage to that equation. But I met Hill in the summer of 2016 and have been making my way to his shows on the regular because my soul always feels better after such a music experience.

Moving On By Adam Hill

My favorite music is Adam Hill. To be quite honest, I love original music. If I want to hear popular well-known songs, I can turn on the radio. But when I meet new players, it intrigues me to listen to their souls. Music is their portrait. They paint their canvas with music notes and phrasings from the depths of their spirit in the hopes of touching beating hearts and inspiring minds.

Over the years I have watched Hill offer many of his own songs and that is always the highlight of his shows for me. I am moved by the music as much as the lyrical messages. It’s clear to me that Hill survives the pains of living through shredding six strings and expressing his hurts through song. Many of his songs offer insight to the afflictions and struggles of life. He deals with life on his own terms and helps many others do the same with his music.

If you want to get your full of some Adam Hill Music, you have plenty of chances this weekend. The busy slinger has four shows booked over the next couple days. His first show is tomorrow morning, when he provides the music for the Annual Beauty and The Beast Car Show taking place in the Walmart parking lot on Yopp Road in Jacksonville, NC . The car show kicks off at 10 am and music is offered 11 am- 2 pm. Tomorrow evening the stringer will be singing at Crossroads Bar and Grill in Seven Springs, NC with music being served 10 pm til closing. Hill also has two shows on Sunday mentioned below in the weekly rundown. Keep reading to find out where you can catch him this Easter Sunday.

Carolina Swamp Dogs Bring Their Blues To Town

It was a Sunday Funday with The Carolina Swamp Dogs last week at the Brown Pelican. The Blues Duo from the Jacksonville area brought their unique blues offerings to the Dirty Bird for a few hours of afternoon fun.

I met this band at Annual Seafood Festival in Morehead City back in 2017. At the time they were the featured blues trio on the bill that year.

Carolina Swamp Dogs, when we met in 2017, was a trio of retired Marines with 85 years of service to our country now playing the blues.

Since those days, the band has slimmed down to a fully function duo featuring Gary Oles and Tommy Langlois.

Carolina Swamp Dogs Rock Red Sail Park

Over the years these Dogs have been my go-to when I need to fill a bill with the blues. They are good friends and talented blues musicians. I love how they bring education of the blues to the forefront of their show. The blues is our legacy, a part of our National history nobody better try to erase.

Both players retired from the Marine Corps and have kept in touch through the magic of music. They try to jam a few times a month but don’t keep a crazy schedule. For those looking to catch some authentic blues offered in a unique way, be sure to catch their show while you can. Our beloved, Gary has been bitten by the love bug and is changing things up in the hopes of settling down in Florida later this year. He and his fiancé Kathy Knowles are relocating to Orlando later this Summer, which means you only have a few more opportunities to catch this duo in the weeks ahead.

Next week they will be grooving in the beer garden at Wrightsville Beach Brewery in Wilmington, on Saturday, April 10 with tunes being poured out from 3-6 pm. The following week you can catch them back at The Brown Pelican when they bring their jams on Saturday, April 17, 7-10 pm. Also on the radar is Huffman Vineyards on Saturday, May 22, 7-10 pm and In June they have a gig on the books at Nick’s Blacksheep Tavern. Music plays 9 pm- 12 am.

Back To The Program @ The Brown Pelican

More signs of normalcy appear to be on the horizon for our friends at the Brown Pelican as they adapt to being back in action and open for business after 50 weeks of suffering from the shut down.

Starting this week they will resuming their regular routine of hosting a Monday evening blues jam with your host Big Jim Kohler and Friends. Music is offered 7-10 pm and all are welcome to join the fun.

Each Tuesday night Doc Paul will host a songwriter’s night where two acts will be highlighted each week. Music plays 7-10 pm. Come hear the latest and greatest players on the scene.

Thursday’s welcome the return of Open Mic Night hosted by local slinger Charlie Duzan. This open mic welcomes all that wish to join the fun with music being shared 7-11 pm.

Of course, The Brown Pelican is always your local music stop on weekends with awesome acts on the floor, front and center each weekend. Catch a show any Friday 7-10 pm or Saturday 7-10 pm. Looking ahead, Owner of the Dirty Bird Heather Haiss is interested in using Sundays to help those in need. For the year that her business was closed Big Jim hosted blues events each Sunday to keep the lights bill paid. With Haiss having survived her darkest days she hopes to continue helping others in need as she rebounds from her difficult year of closures. Keep it here to find out who she

At A Glance Music

by Susan Bugham

At a glance music for this week, disclaimer below.

Friday 4/2
Afreyed Knot 8-11 at Blackbeards, New Bern

Chuck Phillips Band 6:30-9:30pm at Backwater Jack’s, Washington

Eli Craig Band 8-11pm at The Doghouse Tavern, Ayden

Monterio Experience Trio 8:30pm-12 at Market St Pub, Washington

Tim Bivans 8-11 at AJ McMurphy’s, Greenville

Jamie Pridgen Band 10pm-1am at The Office, Kinston

Roy and DC Linton 7-10 at Ribeyes, Washington

2Digh4 10pm-1 at The Buccaneer Music Hall, Greenville

Singer showcase 7:30 pm, Erin Lewis, Sam Weatherly, and Joe Shingera at Molly’s Café, Uptown Greenville

Sat 4/3
Side Trac Band 8-11 at AJ McMurphy’s, Greenville

Eli Craig Band 8:30-12 at Market St Pub, Washington

Psylo Joe 7-10 pm at Local Oak Brewing Co., Winterville

John Williams 6:30-9:30 at Backwater Jack’s, Washington

Chris Hagan Band 10pm-1am at The Office, Kinston

Roy Stewart 7-10 at The Plank Steakhouse, Farmville

Mikele Buck Band 8-11 at Blackbeards, New Bern

Open Jam 6:30 hosted by John Williams at Backwater Jacks, Washington

Justin Anderson 10pm-1 at Buccaneer Music Hall, Greenville

Cooper Greer 7-10 pm at Ribeyes, Washington

Sun 4/4
John Benson 2-5 pm at Backwater Jack’s, Washington

Tues 4/6
Brian Burke 7-9 at AJ McMurphy’s, Greenville

Every Mon
Rhythm & Grooves open mic with John Williams 7:30 AJ McMurphy’s, Greenville

Open mic 8:30pm with Jared Gonzalez at The Buccaneer Music Hall , Greenville

Every Wed
Open Mic with JT at Molly’s Community Cafe, Uptown Greenville

3rd Wed of month
Open mic with Chuck Phillips 6pm at Parleys Sip and Steam , Washington

Every other Wed
Open mic with Joe Shiranga 7-10 at Nauti Dog Brewing Co., Winterville

Every other Thurs. Brian Burke hosts open mic 6:30-9:30 pm at Backwater Jack’s starting April 8, 2021.

Disclaimer: Please note that musicians and times are subject to change. Please call the venue in advance for confirmation. While I don’t know or support all of these musicians I do recommend these venues.

Thank you for supporting live music.

More Live Music Options

Cruisin’ County by County

In the hopes of always keeping things fresh and new, here is a new rundown of live music for the days ahead, county by county.

Beaufort County

*****

Friday, April 2, 2021

The Chuck Phillips Band will be offering the grooves this Friday at Backwater Jack’s Tiki Bar and Grill in Washington from 7-10 pm.

Roy Stewart & DC Linton team up to bring the music to the Angus Room at Ribeyes of Washington. Music is served 8-11 pm.

*****

The Market Street Pub welcomes the Monterio Experience Trio. 7:30 pm. $7 cover

******

Saturday, April 3, 2021

*****

Cooper Greer will be on hand in the Angus Room, to provide Saturday evening entertainment at Ribeyes of Washington. Music is on the menu from 7-10 pm.

*****

Pamela Cox and J. B. Mayes will be the featured live music at Captain Cooks this Saturday night! Everyone is invited to come early for a good dinner and stay late for the music Music is offered 7-11 pm.

*****

Eli Craig Band will provide the music this Saturday, from the stage at Market Street Pub in downtown Washington, NC. Music plays 8:30pm – midnight. Make sure you have your dancing shoes on!

*****

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Come enjoy live music this Sunday with John Benson serving sounds, 2-5 PM at Backwater Jack’s Tiki Bar and Grill

*****

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Brian Burke will host Open Mic at Backwater Jack’s in Washington 6:30 – 9:30 pm.

Brunswick County

Friday, April 2, 2021

Scott Riley will perform tomorrow evening at The Joyce. At press time the event said that the music plays from 6-9 pm.

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

The Duke of Uke David Pray will perform live this Saturday at The Joyce from 6-9 pm.

Carteret County

Friday, April 2, 2021

Barefoot Wade is on the schedule for Friday night fun at Bogue Sound Distillery. Check them out offering the sounds from 7-10 pm. Outside, enjoy some tasty creations for dinner at McGrady Grill Food Truck.

*****

Johnny Williams will perform live at Promise’ Land Market this Friday, with music being offered 8-11 pm.

******

Liquid Pleasure will be rocking the coast this Friday at Jack’s Waterfront Bar. Music starts at 8 pm.

******

Ed Prophet will serve up the sounds at Boro Bar & Restaurant this weekend from 7-10 pm.

*****

Hank Barbee will be at Carolina Home & Garden sharing music 6:30-9:30 pm.

******

Gabe Stillman is performing at Gaffer’s two nights this weekend. First show this Friday with tunes being shared 7-10 pm.

******

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Mystic Brewing Cedar Point will host The Mad Fiddler, Jason Addams, sharing tunes from 7-10 pm.

******

Justin Castellano has two shows this coming Saturday. First he will perform live at Carolina Home and Garden Saturday afternoon 1-4 pm

Later that night the stringer and singer will be on site with LaCocina Del Coqui Food Truck
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
at Bogue Sound Distillery.

*****

Dos Eddies will provide the music at Boro Restaurant 7-10 pm.

*****

Gabe Stillman is back for his final show at Gaffer’s this Saturday with tunes being shared 7-10 pm.

*****

Paul Brion will provide the songs for this Saturday at Promise Land Market, with tunes being shared from 8-11 pm.

*****

Party song players, Push Play out of Raleigh will be rolling to the coast, to deliver the fun to the party-goers at Jack’s Waterfront Bar. Music plays 8-11:30 pm.

Craven County

*****

Friday, April 2, 2021

Paul Piccard sings his songs this Friday 7-10 pm at The Brown Pelican.

*****

Tan Sanders ushers us into the weekend with a performance this Friday at BrÜtopia 7-10 pm.

*****

Afreyed Knot will make their New Bern debut on the deck at Blackbeard’s Triple Play. This party band out of is popular on the Greenville scene. Come groove with them from 7:30-11 pm.

*****

Third Degree Bern bring the music to usher us into the weekend 8-11 pm at Tap That Craft Beer and Wine Bar.

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Signature Blend will be rocking The Garage this Saturday. Come enjoy music and your favorite beer from 7-10 pm.

*****

Bridge Atlantic will bring the full band to Tap That Craft Beer & Wine Bar this Saturday 8 pm.

******

Ashton Ward will provide the songs this Saturday on the floor at The Brown Pelican 7-10 pm.

*****

Mikele Buck Band comes to town with their long list of country tunes to groove you this Saturday night, on the deck at Blackbeard’s Triple Play Restaurant. Music is offered 7:30-11 pm.

Johnston County

Donnie Howard (above). Music will be on tap this Friday at Deep River Brewing Company, 700 W Main St, Ste 102 Clayton, NC. Live music this Saturday by Ashlar Sargent Music (below), will be the featured entertainment. All music is offered from 6-9 pm.

Lenoir County

Jamie Pridgen Band will provide the live music offerings at The Office Kinston this Friday night. This Saturday you can catch the Chris Hagen Band. The bands will take the stage from 10 PM – 1 AM to bring the rock and country favorites to light and life. $5.00 cover charge at the door.

Mecklenburg County

Friday, April 2, 2021

7 PM
Live Music by
Piedmont Social House
Join us for Live Music on the Patio
Live music is rain or shine. No cover charge!

New Hanover County

Friday, April 2, 2021

Stefan Edward will provide the tunes tonight at Flytrap Brewing. Music will be served from 6-9 pm.

*****

Brett and Nimara provide the live music at Edward Teach Brewing with songs being shared 7-10 pm.

*****

The Rip Chord Band will be on stage at Bourbon St Wilmington, NC with music playing 9 pm until midnight.

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Cary Benjamin will be sharing sounds this Saturday afternoon 2-5 PM, for the early show at Bourbon St. Wilmington. Later that evening you can enjoy the music of 80s Unleashed Band sharing tunes from 9 pm until midnight.

*****

L Shape Lot

Alex and Eric pick and pluck under the big old oaks on Saturday, April 3 from 3-6 pm!
Wrightsville Beach Brewery.

*****

Come out and enjoy a cold beer and the cool grooves of Medicated Sunfish this Saturday at Edward Teach Brewing 7-10 pm.

*****

Sunday, April 4, 2021

This Sunday at Bourbon St., Wilmington Chris Pearson & Jim will offer the music from 1-4 pm and Tyrek will be live later in the day serving Easter dinner sounds from 6:30-9:30 pm.

*****

Enjoy the sounds of Emily Roth this Easter Sunday 4-7 pm at Edward Teach Brewing

Pender County

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Russ Linsey will perform tonight 6-9 pm at UnWINEd.

******

Friday, April 2, 2021

Live music by The Graes at UnWINEd will walk us into the weekend this Friday 6-9 pm.

******

Saturday, April 3, 2021

There are two shows scheduled each Saturday. This week you can catch Hayden Laeknir from 1-4 pm. Later that afternoon you can catch Mike McManus from 6-9 pm on the patio. UnWINEd is a great place to sip coffee or wine, grab a sweet treat or just relax with friends and enjoy music on the deck. They support live music seven days a week, featuring at least eight shows each week.

*****

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Ryan Rubich will perform this Sunday, at Salty Turtle Beer Company, offering tunes from 4-7 PM.

*****

Cayle Fall will provide the entertainment on the deck at UnWINEd with tunes being offered 1-4 pm. In the early evening, you can enjoy the sounds of Will Roberts from 6-9 pm

Pitt County

Friday, April 2, 2021

Eric Sommer serves the sounds at Christy’s Euro Pub

Friday nights offer an acoustic showcase of entertainment. Three acoustic artists from Eastern North Carolina playing LIVE at Molly’s Community Café tonight!
Come enjoy good food and music from Erin Lewis, Sam Weatherly, and Joe Shingera this Friday evening in Uptown Greenville. Music is shared from 7-10 pm. All ages are welcome.

*****

Tim Bivans will provide the music fun at AJ McMurphy’s, with sounds being served from 8-12 pm.

*****

Phil McLean will pour out the tunes this Friday at Uptown Brewing Co. Music plays from 8-11 pm.

2Digi4 will debut on stage at Buccaneer Music Hall, sharing songs 8-11 pm.

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Jamal Cody will be performing at Molly’s Community Café, Upton Greenville. Music starts at 7 pm.

*****

Side Trac Band will be rocking AJ McMurphy’s for your Saturday night fun. Music plays 8-12 pm.

******

Live music at Buccaneer Music Hall this Saturday will feature Justin Anderson. The music starts at 8 PM.

******

Wake County

Friday, April 2, 2021

Belly Dancing Night with JiJi at Sophie’s Bar and Grill . Live dancing 8-11 pm.

******

Major Vice is on the music menu tonight at Saints and Scholars Pub. Live tunes will be shared from 7-11 pm.

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Travis Conn will bring the fun times to Tippetts Mill this Saturday with tunes rocking 7-10 pm.

*****

Major Vice provides the music at Sophie’s Bar and Grill. Music is serve 8-11 pm.

*****

Scooters Grill and Bar hosts Bump on stage providing music from 7-11 pm.

******

Tyson Brothers will be performing Saints and Scholars Pub, with music being offered 7-11 pm.

*****

Sunday, April 4, 2021

G.W. Pierce will bring the live music to Saint’s & Scholars Pub for Sunday Funday with songs being shared 3-6 pm.

Wayne County

*****

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Nothing But Barbecue at Seven Springs Farms and Vineyard with The Stanley Baird Band offering the jazz music to accompany dinner. This afternoon’s event kicks off at 2 pm. For tickets visit Events at the Vineyard.

*****

Adam Hill will serve the sounds this Saturday night at Crossroads Bar & Grill 10 pm.

*****

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Adam Hill provides the delicious bunch sounds this Sunday at The Flying Shamrock from 11 am – 3 pm.

Hill also has an early evening show this Sunday. Catch him live at Crossroads Bar & Grill rocking his final show for the busy weekend from 6-9 pm.

Thanks for Reading!

If you have an upcoming show you’d like to share here, send an email to ncmz.live@gmail.com and we’ll try to include your show.

All content is published by Tracey Stones

I roam the scene far and wide and bring it all together for you here, in the simple hopes of connecting people to the local music near them!

Tracey Stones caught working. Photo credit: Susan Baugham

If you enjoy this blog, support it by spreading the word a d sharing it with friends! Donations are always welcome never expected and much appreciated! Thank you for your love and support.

~ Tracey Stones

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More Good News From The Governor plus We Support Local Live Music from the Coast to the Mountains

March 25, 2021April 5, 2021 Tracey StonesLeave a comment

Let’s drink to the lift on limited alcohol sales and allowing bars and clubs and restaurant to serve until 2 am again! Cheers to that!

Governor Cooper rolled back more restrictions and opens NC more starting at 5 pm Friday, March 26, 2021. This means bars and clubs can serve until 2 am. Capacity for those establishments indoors is now 50% while outdoors returns to 100%. Restaurants can seat 75% capacity indoors and 100% outdoors. having said that, more music returns to stages and venues around the region.

When We Say We Need Your Support, We Mean Take Out Your Wallet

Free Music Is Not Free

“Get ready for this rant…people always screaming SUPPORT LOCAL!! Well let me first start off letting folks know, The Market Street Pub is a local business. I’ve been made aware of snap bashing us for charging a $7 cover. This is what I have to say about that: Our business has been closed for nearly a full year and for those of you that don’t understand, that doesn’t mean the bills stopped coming in. In fact, after we calculated it, I have spent well over $18000 keeping this business alive with nothing coming in and no assistance at all while other businesses in Washington operated as usual. Live entertainment is not free. We don’t keep one dang dollar from your cover charge that goes straight to whoever is playing. We don’t have food sales to fall back on, we basically have 4 hours of business to make enough money to pay our employees and pay the bills and again the door charge pays the bands. If it’s too much to ask for your support and not to bash a business trying their hardest not to fold, by all means go somewhere else but don’t let me hear you trash-talking us one minute and Support Local coming out of your mouth the next. We have done our very best trying to make the Market Street Pub a nice place for ALL to come and be able to enjoy themselves. For those of you that do support us, we appreciate your business and we will continue to treat every one of you like family. To the haters; until you know what it takes financially to run a business and how hurtful your word is, keep your mouth shut and keep to stepping. We are doing nothing wrong but trying to keep a business we put our blood sweat and tears into building it. Have a nice day. Rant OVER!!!” ~Connie Bland Langley, owner of The Market Street Pub

This story is repeated around the region, state and globe. If you had a favorite watering hole, your local dive bar that simply served drinks, good cheer and music; they have been closed down, shut up, and have sat in silence for 50 long weeks here in North Carolina. For the venues that survived the two weeks to slow the spread and 48 weeks to kill a business, the struggle is not behind these business owners. In fact, many of them went into debt to make it through to the day they were allowed to open. I know some that became so conditioned by the closure, they did not expect to open when the Governor announced the lifting of several restrictions. Several were caught off guard, but pulled through thanks to the grace of others that were allowed to be open during this crazy crisis.

The pandemic has hit us all in some kind of way. We have all suffered loss, loneliness to some degree, and we are all walking out of this world crisis with new, fucked up, normals. Nothing is the same for anyone. I think we are all still trying to wrap our heads around the whole year of reconditioning our spirits. In hindsight 2020 was…We all have a story to tell, don’t we?

We were asked not to hug each other. Did you know it takes three hugs a day to know you’re alive, six to survive and a dozen to thrive? Hugs are good therapy for people.

We were asked not to worship, and give praise to the Lord. We were told not to play music or gather. All of those experiences nurture the soul. Even when you don’t like people, it’s important to surround yourself with them. None of us are made to make it through the world alone. We are all creatively designed to need each other.

If we could take out the irrational feelings and hormones and mood-altering drugs that swirl around our relationships it would be a lot easier, but I am convinced that life is not meant to be easy. After a year of this seclusion, we are all emerging from this era, that changed our lives. This has left many of us unhinged and detached in many ways. People were already damaged before the pandemic. We all had a lot on our plates, anyway it seemed, before the virus arrived. We learned quickly that when someone comes and wipes our plate off without any planning, it takes some major adjustments.

Some of our friends and family lost businesses they spent years building. It was their mission and livelihood; they were a part of our community. Their despair is a depression in our city or town. Within our communities, our neighbors have lost family and friends. Personally, I know more that have been taken out by the depression of this pandemic, than the virus itself. I also know of more people that died of other illnesses, some because they missed important treatments due to this pandemic. I see all of that as a problem that the virus left us with, that no vaccine will cure. The depth of depression and the rise of addictions is off the charts. Children who used to be able to go to school to obtain normalcy were stuck in their hell life and have been left behind. The elderly that were so dear to us were suddenly locked away and left in an incubator, for a virus we were all masking to cure. How ridiculous! Personally, I am bracing for more germ warfare.

What’s really sad, I feel like it was our own people in power today who were behind this world virus. Do your own research and stop trusting our media, and that is where I will leave that.

I find there is nothing I can do about world politics. Just like I can’t change the asshole people that exist in life, I can’t change the world either, so I pray.

I pray that we can all come together to give praise and worship. I hope we can soon find comfort in feeling hugs and seeing smiles. I also want to return to singing and dancing all around the state. Once we allow more music back into our souls, the more freedoms we will be enjoying. The best cure we have is music. Music has the ability to lift you from the trenches of hell and offer you the way and the light, as you see through the muck of your emotions. So by all means please support it and those that offer a platform for it.

Music makers and bands are also small businesses without storefronts, but most of them have families to support and bills to pay. Please go out of your way to tip these bands and entertainers working hard for your happiness. They have all missed their gig income and are happy to be back.

Attention Bands Start Working the Room ~ Maximizing Tips For Bands

We all know that music makers and bands appreciate tips, well let me give you all a great tip for capitalizing on tip money. Many people have opted to buy into the cashless system, meaning they do not have tip money to throw in your case or bucket. To earn tips from those who are cashless I offer two options. Option one, get a square to attach to your phone and leave it in reach for happy tippers to work their magic, or option two, set up a Venmo account and put the info plainly on the tip bucket. This will help maximize your profits from those in attendance and online since most will generally tip $10 or more per transaction.

Picking Up From Where We Left Off

It’s The Tan and Sober Gentlemen For Festive Irish Fun

They are a band with a long name and long line up that can be summed up in one small word. The Tan and Sober Gentlemen are FUN!

The Tan and Sober Gentlemen are North Carolina’s answer to the music that frolics through foothills of Ireland 🇮🇪. So when St. Patrick’s Day celebrations come along, they just seem better when they are at the helm of entertaining the masses. This mountain music band is a big production of banjos and bass, mandolins and fiddles, plus guitar gumption and back beats unmatched in our area.

I have now caught several shows and each one is better than the last. The first couple of times, I caught them at area festivals. First in New Bern then in Beaufort, NC.

I actually was introduced to this band when festival promoters Grant Golden, Bailey Evans, and Terry McElhennon the founders of the former GEM Productions. This group organized Bernaroo Arts and Music Festival for years and in 2017 they brought The Tan and Sober Gentlemen to town. They offered a fiery set of Celtic chaos, as toes tapped and the band bounced in the beer garden of the Issac Taylor House. I felt like I died and went to bluegrass heaven. But this isn’t your grandfathers bluegrass, this is explosive modern day mountain music that lets you know you’re alive!

2017 Bernaroo Arts and Music Festival – Tan and Sober Gentlemen get things jumping in the Issac Taylor Beer Garden.

You’ll note, if you click the festival link, they were even more fired up when they took the stage at The Beaufort Music Festival in May 2019.

In-between the two times that I first saw the band released Veracity, a 9 song collection of their traditional and original collaborations. Though it offers a good example of the band’s stylings, nothing compares to seeing this band live. So if you ever get the chance be sure to check them out. They have an event calendar on their website: Tan and Sober Events.

I learned a couple of weeks ago, that perhaps the best time to see this group might certainly be around St. Patrick’s Day. With their celebratory regressive folk and Celtic punk grass offerings, they are just something to see. Their show at The Angry Ginger did not disappoint. The band brought their fueled-up folk music and rocked the Garden for fans and friends alike. It was nice to see a complete turnaround from last year’s sad turn of events.

Making Music The Rounds In New Bern NC

Joe Baes Project Shamrocks the BrU Joint

The Joe Baes Project rocked us into the weekend last Friday night, when the trio rolled into into BrÜtopia. As usual the band was well supported by the locals that love them. I have been watching Baes and his many music projects since the early days of this blog. I met him one afternoon in 2016, when he was jamming on the deck at the Double Tree.

NCMZ.LIVE File Photo Joe Baes Project at The DoubleTree, circa July 10, 2016

Over the years that I have been watching the band, there was one major change, which was the move of band-mate and co-founder Mike Galloway in 2018. The bass player relocated to Colorado.