Dream Big and Dance Often!

I am no critic either, but I know that I will dash a few hopes when I tell you that by only focusing on gigs, gigs, gigs is a quick way to a fiery end. You will burn out fast if you just hit the gig circuit hard. To make your journey most effective you have to spread your time and talents to the limit. You also have to treat this like a business.

In any business, there is always work to be done. You have to practice your craft, promote your agenda and do all you can to keep yourself on stage even when you are off stage. Thanks to social media…that becomes very easy for all bands and venues. It is right there and free. You might have to pay someone to effectively run your social media sites, but the return on that investment ought to be obvious from the start.

Here is the bottom line for all of you players,  if money is exchanging hands for services there is a business transaction in the works, make sure you act like you are working for a living.

I see it all of the time and it hurts my heart. I understand it though too, it is an environmental and occupational hazard of playing music. In this business, players come in on the bar circuit and somehow often decide along the way that it is okay to drink and work because of where their office happens to be night after night. My best advice is to treat it like you would any day job you wanted to keep. Drink after you play. No one cares to watch you get wasted and play. Trust me! Especially if you wish to keep doing it.

My goal and intention with my work here is to give venues who support it and musicians that play it, a place to promote themselves outside of the social media spectrum. Though I use social media to promote the bands and this blog, I have little interest in it. I use it for what it is the best use for and in my world, that is the promotions of music.

I hope the music community continues to embrace and share my efforts as I really like the results I have been seeing from the work we have put forth. Thank you for your support!

Fairlight Moriah made her New Bern debut two weeks ago during the One Million Goal Benefit. Last week she returned to the stage at the Thirsty Bruin, to offer a full show for the night. Many new fans gathered to enjoy hearing that beautiful voice take over the room.

Tonight she makes her band debut. Fairlight Moriah & The Scorpio Moon come to Circa 1810 Bar at The Harvey Mansion, 221 S Front St. New Bern, NC. They will be rocking under the tent from 8-11 pm. Joining her on stage will be Freddie Scungio on drums, Simon Spalding on bass and Aaron Davenport on guitar. Come support this new blues force rocking our little town.

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Spaghetti is Served at Circa 1810

Last Saturday night Spaghetti debuted on the patio. This band is another fine example of the budding talent found around New Bern. This roots band blends lots of genres to offer their mix of authentic tunes. Spaghetti features Parker Millar on lead guitar, his sister Holly Millar on bass, Jake Ross behind the kit and Wilson White up in the front singing with a guitar in hand. The band got together a few months ago to see what kind of music they could make and since then, the reception has been a warm and welcoming one!

The first time I caught their show it was at Live at the City Laundry, when they played for Local Band Tuesday, a creation of Parker Millar, The Folks Journal and Live at The City Laundry.

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Local Band Tuesday Host Local Legends

The talented, breaded one, Wick Wickline opened the night of Local Band Tuesday at Live at The City Laundry. He offered a strong set of familiar tunes to welcome the crowd to the mid-week live music show. When Wick is not killing it solo he is most often found fixing it at Fuller’s Music and occasionally he rocks it with The BiPolar Express. That rocking New Bern Based trio will be rocking the deck party at Blackbeard’s next week. To fill your prescription of rock done right like them on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thebipolarxpress/

This is a great offering for the sleepy weeknight town of New Bern. As mentioned above, the idea was sparked by Parker Millar, who brought the idea to Joshua Storts at Live and after two weeks Folks Journal got on board to present the night each week.

The most appealing thing about the night is how it features local talent, as well as original acts found around the state.

This weeks offering gave us two New Bern based talents. Closing out the night was the rocking sounds of Underground District. This trio is based right here and has been rocking the underground scene since their inception.

On stage rocking the crowd was Peter Strange on guitar and vox, Sarah Baker on bass and Baron Fordie on drums.

To keep up with this rocking outfit from New Bern, be sure to like their page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Underground-District-115463185204813/

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In anticipation of making my debut in Folks Journal, I have enjoyed learning about our state’s many blues societies. My contribution will be centered on Blues music in particular and it will highlight artists, venues and blues societies that are helping to keep the blues alive right here in NC. I will also highlight upcoming shows and events worth seeing.

This new publication will be a proud media partner of Bernaroo Music & Arts Festival and is working with many venues to bring music to our town. Please consider supporting their work by becoming a patron of their efforts, visiting their site and donating. Your donation not only helps them sponsor music events but also pays for staff and printing of the publication.

Another great thing they bring to town is an affordable advertising option. You can find out about all the opportunities that await small businesses by checking out their site:

http://www.folksjournal.com/

The next issue will be released May 1, 2018

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Speaking Of Bernaroo…Vendors, We Want You!

Bernaroo Music and Arts Festival is still accepting Sponsors and Vendor applications. The event will be hosted by GEM Productions. Thus far we welcome Oliver & Cheek, NCMZ.LIVE and BrÛtopia. They have committed to being sponsors of this Music and Arts Festival. The interest from the community has been wonderful. This is only going to benefit the community as a whole.

Last week they hosted their Battle of the Bands for the final act to be added to the bill. The band Jimmy won the competition. The final line up for the festival will be released in the coming days. and I will continue to bring you the news.

We are gearing up for two stages, before parties, after parties, two stages at the main event and plus vendors, a kids corner and so much more for families to enjoy!

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Answering The Call

Checking things out around the rest of the region. I ask my Facebook followers where we can go to hear them play. This is what they said this week

April 2 at 5:24 pm

Thanks so much for and rocking around the state with me.

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Facebook Events Link

Here are all the great music options I found for you on Facebook this week. Check out all of the events here and express interest in the ones you like.

Live Music Events Around NC from Facebook

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 Thanks for Reading!

That is all the news and music that I found for you tonight. Always call the club in advance to confirm what you read here is true. Many times events change without anyone updating the Facebook event created for the said gig.

I hope you get out and enjoy the sounds of live music sometime soon. I am dedicated to making sure you know where to go to find it. If you like this blog please sign up and get an email each time we publish.

I appreciate my readers, the musicians and the venues who all do a part in keeping live music alive! Give us a like and tell your friends by sharing this page on your social media pages. To the many bands and clubs, thanks for keeping me informed!

Take kindness with you today, tip those that serve you and the music makers that rock you and hug and share the love. Don’t forget that life is short and could end in a moment, so make sure you take time to enjoy the dance. Please party safely people! We love having you here with us! You rock, so don’t roll the car! Rely on sober friends, call a cab or sign up to Uber around!

Send all of your events invites to me on Facebook, so I know where you are playing in the days ahead. I can be found on Facebook by following this link:

https://www.facebook.com/TraceyStones69.

I also read emails daily. You can send those to:

ncmz.live@gmail.com

Please include the day, the date, the time of the event, the time of your scheduled performance, what time doors open and the price of tickets. Pictures are also helpful. I share links to band websites, so send those along as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to fill me in on the details, together we will reach the people!

 

 

 

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