MEDICINE FOR THE SOUL Local Non-Profit Embraces and Promotes 919’s Live Music Scene

SOUL MEDICINE FOR THE

‘LOVE LOCAL MUSIC’ NON-PROFIT EMBRACES, PROMOTES THE LIVE MUSIC SCENE IN THE TRIANGLE

By TILDON DUNN

Lawrence Tibbetts really likes music. Especially live, local music. And he’s turned that positive emotion and enthusiasm into a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the growth and expansion of live local music performers, venues and events in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle.

“I love music, enjoy dancing and with this great tool – our cell phones – with us, I felt I could help local music grow by taking pictures and videos… and sharing them,” said Tibbitts, who resides in North Raleigh’s Brier Creek neighborhood – and launched the non-profit, Love Local Music, about two years (after promoting local bands and venues for years on social media).

“Love Local Music became our non-profit arm, growing out of the popularity of Bands and Clubs of the Triangle on social media sites (Facebook and Instagram), as we continued to work with local bands and venues growing their footprint,” he explained. “Our constant promotion and growth of the local music scene in the Triangle was exploding every week.”

Tibbitts explained that the Love Local Music non-profit organization resulted out of the need for fundraising to promote the local music scene.

We will get back to a normal – and the smiles, dancing and laughter that are often the result of music will return.

LAWRENCE TIBBETTS

Love Local Music

“We are blessed by a vibrant local music scene – both covers and original music – that is so worthy of growth and promotion. Many don't know what they are missing by not going out to enjoy,” he said.

It’s all a labor of love for Tibbitts, who works fulltime as a Contract Courier for DHL Express. “I don't golf or fish. Local music is my hobby,” he explained. “I get to help others experience a great time around local music.” The Virginia Tech University graduate (Marketing Education) also has worked as an insurance claims adjuster, a high school teacher and a radio announcer.

But it’s local music that appears to be embedded in his heart and soul, and expanding the influence of Love Local Music- which currently operates with him, his fiancé, Tracy Pittman, and 12 volunteers/music ambassadors – is his goal. Operations are funded from a Go Fund Me campaign, raffles, silent auctions, special band events and promotional partnerships with venues, and other means.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

Photos by Donovan Barnes

LOVE LOCAL MUSIC

YEAR STARTED:

STATUS:

MANAGEMENT:

STAFF:

WEBSITE:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

EMAIL:

2019

North Carolina Non-Profit Organization Lawrence Tibbetts, Tracy Pittman 12 volunteers/music ambassadors

lovelocalmusicwith.us

Bands and Clubs of the Triangle (Facebook, Instagram); Love Local Music With Us (Facebook)

bandsandclubsofthetriangle@gmail.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

“We are in the attitude business of encouraging all to enjoy and love local music. Our complete platform of a non-profit and social media outlets needs more volunteers,” Tibbitts said of the organization, which he fashions to be the “Chamber of Commerce of Local Music” – offering support, encouragement and growth to musicians, bands and venues. He encouraged anyone interested in becoming a music ambassador/volunteer (“by going out and enjoying local music, and pushing it forward by taking photos and videos with their cell phones and sharing on our social media outlets -- essentially being a social media influencer) to visit lovelocalmusicwith.us for more information.

Tibbetts explained that the organization’s social media sites have grown significantly over the years. “I have done a weekly video for over six years, reviewing a sampling of local music happening that weekend,” he said. “Our followers on social media have grown to expect this highlight of where local music can be enjoyed. On average, it receives over 1,000 views weekly. It’s a valuable tool, since local music happens in so many settings: Restaurants/bars, music venues, shopping centers, backyard neighborhood celebrations, street corners, sporting events and festivals to name a few.”

Going forward, Tibbetts wants to see the number of social media site followers increase from the current 7,500 to at least 50,000. And, long term, he dreams of raising enough funds to have billboards and TV commercials encouraging the enjoyment of local music – and perhaps a physical office, geared to promoting local live music.

Why such passion? That’s simple, according to Tibbetts: “I love introducing friends and followers to new bands. Musicians work hard and their talents are amazing.”

Of course, the current COVID-19 situation has affected the local live music scene – but Tibbetts and Love Local Music aren’t just waiting it out. “We are promoting for people to go out and support live local music where and when it is happening, which is mostly outdoors, with social distancing and using a mask,” he said. “Presently, we have only a sprinkle of what we had before COVID – but great music is happening online as virtual music events,” he said. “It’s not the same as a live experience, but it is so important to maintain our music scene.”

Tibbetts stressed that thousands are affected and out of work, with some musicians transitioning to online music gigs hoping to collect some virtual tips to pay bills. “Live local music only comes

I love introducing friends and followers to new bands. Musicians work hard and their talents are amazing.

LAWRENCE TIBBETTS Love Local Music

Photos by Donovan Barnes

back fully when we help to make sure restaurants/bars first operate at their previous levels of success,” he said.

Though no one can predict when the virus will subside and the live music fully returns to venues throughout the 919, Tibbetts is optimistic. “We will get back to a normal – and the smiles, dancing and laughter that are often the result of music will return,” he said.

And that, Tibbetts stressed, is important. “Music is medicine for the soul. Music sparks memories and makes new ones,” he said. “We encourage less couch sitting and more getting out to enjoy great local music.”

Tildon Dunn is a regular writer for 919 Magazine. Like the others on the publication’s team, he loves local live music.

LAWRENCE TIBBETTS

POSITION:

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

EDUCATION:

RESIDENCE:

FAMILY:

PETS:

INTERESTS:

Executive Director Love Local Music Non-Profit, Bands and Clubs of the Triangle

Contract Courier, DHL Express (current); former insurance claims adjustor, high school teacher, radio announcer; 9 years promoting local music (and 2 years with nonprofit) Virginia Tech University, Marketing Education (BS) Raleigh (Brier Creek) Fiance, Tracy Pittman (wedding Planned, Oct 2020; daughter, Lauren (Freshman, East Carolina University) Cat (Tobie)

Music, social media promotion, church (Elevation/Morrisville), foodie, business networking We are blessed by a vibrant local music scene – both covers and original music – that is so worthy of growth and promotion. Many don't know what they are missing by not going out to enjoy.

LAWRENCE TIBBETTS

Love Local Music

LIVE MUSIC

IN THE 919 Want to support local live music? These are just some of the live music events planned for September and October in the 919. Changes are possible, so be sure to doublecheck all events listed.

9/4, 10/23 Jenkins and the Rabbit

Main Street Tavern 411 S Main St, Rolesville 919-665-1542

9/4, 10/3, 30 Kevin K Acoustic Rock

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

9/4, 10/23 Kevin Lee

Overtime Sports Pub 1030 N Rogers Ln #149, Raleigh 919-255-9556

9/4 Heather Rogers

The Pickled Pub 1460 Falls of Neuse Rd, Ste 183 984-235-4482

Mike Davis Experience

Good Times Arcade 74 Son-Lan Pkwy #108, Garner 919-307-3245

9/5 Kevin Lee

The Pickled Pub 1460 Falls of Neuse Rd, Ste 183 984-235-4482

Redline

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

454 Real McCoy’s

3325 Rogers Rd, Wake Forest 919-562-8368

Project 63

InStill Distilling Co. 710 W Main St, Ste 111, Clayton 904-233-3887

9/6 Kevin Lee

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

9/11, 10/9 Kevin K Acoustic Rock

First Street Tavern 115 E First St, Clayton 919-359-3334

9/11, 10/16 Jenkins and the Rabbit

Overtime Sports Pub 1030 N Rogers Ln #149, Raleigh 919-255-9556

9/11 Heather Rogers

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

Kevin Lee

Growler Grlz 4810 Hope Valley Rd, Ste 110, Durham 919-973-2755

9/12 The Blenders

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

Kevin Lee

Unwined on White 153 S White St, Wake Forest 919-761-5049

Heather Rogers

My Way Tavern 522 St Marys St, Raleigh 919-900-8273

9/13, 20 Mike Davis Experience

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

9/13 Heather Rogers

Brueprint Brewing Company 1229 Perry Rd #101, Apex 919-387-8075

9/18 Major Vice

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

Project 63

Burnt Barrel 135 W Main St, Youngsville 919-556-6678

Revolution

Traditions at Wake Forest 1105 Grande Water Way 919-569-5375

9/18, 10/24 KTZ Band

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

9/19 Heather Rogers

The Pickled Pub 1460 Falls of Neuse Rd, Ste 183 984-235-4482

9/20 Band of Oz, The Embers, Jim Quick & Coast, Embers, Chairman of the Board

7th Annual Beach Fest 215 Batten Rd, Selma thefarmnc.com

The Blenders

Scooters Bar & Grill 1911 Sego Ct, Raleigh 919-954-2171

454

Plan B Bar 519 W Market St, Smithfield 919-938-2200

9/25 Taylor Scheiss

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

9/26 454

Scooters Bar & Grill 1911 Sego Ct, Raleigh 919-954-2171

9/28 Donnie Lane

3rd St. Social 11 West 3 rd St, Wendell 919-366-6125

10/2 Jake Potter

Brueprint Brewing Company 1229 Perry Rd #101, Apex 919-387-8075

10/3 The Origin

The Corner Tavern 1301 W Maynard Rd, Cary 919-460-0088

454

Plan B Bar 519 W Market St, Smithfield 919-938-2200

8 Track Minds

O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant 5228 Hollyridge Dr, Raleigh 919-787-1234

10/9 Mystic Mayhem

And Elana Scheiner Abbey Road Tavern 1700 Center St, Apex 919-372-5383

Heather Rogers

Gizmo Brew Works 157 E Franklin St #100, Chapel Hill 919-636-4410

Kevin Lee

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

10/10 Project 63

Bud’s Tavern 823 Youngsville Blvd, Youngsville 919-556-2727

Major Vice

Mac’s Tavern 1014 Ryan Rd, Cary 919-467-4114

Eagle Rock Band

Scooters Bar & Grill 1911 Sego Ct, Raleigh 919-954-2171

10/16 Eagle Rock Band

Mac’s Tavern 1014 Ryan Rd, Cary 919-467-4114

Chris Overstreet

Abbey Road Tavern 1700 Center St, Apex 919-372-5383

10/17 454

Wild Wing Café Brier Creek 7900 Brier Creek Pkwy, Raleigh 919-957-2000

Vertigo

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

Tommy Thunderfoot and The Accelerators

Locked & Loaded Bar & Grill 305 McCormick St, Garner 919-661-6688

10/23 Kings of the Highway

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 919 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh 919-878-8828

10/24 Jake Potter

Woody’s Sports Tavern 8322 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary 919-360-7737

10/31 KTZ Band

First Street Tavern 115 E First St, Clayton 919-359-3334

454

Locked & Loaded Bar & Grill 305 McCormick St, Garner 919-661-6688

Project 63

Deep River Brewing Co. 700 W Main St. #102, Clayton 919-585-2296

AGE GRACEFULLY AND FEEL GOOD IN YOUR SKIN! YOU DESERVE IT!

GORGEOUS, NATURAL LOOKING FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY RESULTS!

Award-winning facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Adam

Becker, specializes in the aging face. Dr. Becker and his team of highly trained and compassionate healthcare professionals set the standard for optimal patient care and outstanding facial plastic surgery results in a state-of-the-art medical facility (with

AAAASF certified surgical sui te) in North Raleigh. FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY & NON-SURGICAL SERVICES Facelift · Necklift · Rhinoplasty

Eyelid Surgery · Browlift · Lip Lift · Facial Implants Facial Fat Grafting · Double Chin Correction EmbraceRF by INMODE (Accutite, Facetite, Morpheus8) Microneedling with PRP · Laser Resurfacing Hair Removal · Broadband Light Treatments Halo™ Hybrid Fractional Laser · Kybella Filler · BOTOX® · Dysport® Peels · HydraFacial® We Ar e N O W O F F E R I N G E VO L VE N o n - I n va s i ve B o d y C o n t o u r i n g

91 9-706-4900

Open 9am - 5pm | Mon - Fri

TriangleFacialPlasticSurgery.com

FOLLOW US!

@TriangleFacialPlasticSurgery Monthly specials, patient results and more! 91 04 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 204, Raleigh, NC 2761 5 | 91 9-706-4900

Fall 2020 www.919Magazine.com 27