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Music in the 919
919 | UPFRONT
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LIVE FROM THE 919
Mostly Positive Outlook, But Music Tastes Evolving With New Generation
By TILDON DUNN 919 Magazine Writer
How do you describe the current live music scene in the 919? It’s largely positive, but varies in intensity – from active, to evolving, to “being on fire” – depending upon the source.
Certainly, big events – which this year feature such legends as Paul Mc- Cartney, Bob Seger, Heart, Peter Frampton, Yes, Ringo Starr and Earth, Wind & Fire – are now a part of the Raleigh summer schedule, but the amount of national, regional and local live music continues to blossom and is rapidly becoming a part of the social fabric.
And a variety of music is more robust than ever before, spanning from traditional rock, to country, to electronic, to bluegrass and ethnic and rap. Plus, it’s evolving.
“The 919 music scene is very active with a lot of really good bands to see on any given Friday or Saturday night,” said Dave Seymour, a member of the local band Night Shift. “We see the emergence of more great bands each year playing a wide variety of music genres. Venues have come and gone, (but there are) still lots of places to play out.”
Frank Barnacz of Bender Street Band is even more optimistic about local live music. “It is on fire! So many great original musicians are out there,” he said. “I highly recommend checking out some of the unfamiliar venues and bands out there.”
Kathy Miller of the local band, Dirty Maude, is also emphatic: “It’s rockin’!”
But Steve Baker of SMB Management, who represents the local band Bull City Syndicate, is a bit more cautious on the local music landscape. “That’s an easy question, with a complicated answer, because, the music scene is divided into so many different components,” he said. “The cover band scene has challenges, as restaurants/bars
have drastically smaller entertainment budgets (due to a variety of regulatory and economic factors) — and the fact that music itself has changed, with more and more audiences preferring DJ and electronic music (rather than classic Top 40 bands). Baker said that has led to a huge transition in the local restaurant/club/ bar scene. “Many have shifted away from live bands, altogether, and either cut back to soloists or duos, or went for DJ’s and electronic music, to cater to the younger generation’s expectations,” he said. “Whereas there were a dozen or
‘The 919 music scene is very active with a lot of really good bands to see on any given Friday or Saturday night.
DAVID SEYMOUR Night Shift
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May/June 2019
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‘Thankfully, many people still prefer live music, in all its forms.’
STEVE BAKER SMB Management
more really good venues catering to that demographic 20, 15, even 10 years ago, there are now only a few of those traditional rooms remaining.”
But Baker remains optimistic about the future.
“Thankfully, many people still prefer live music, in all its forms.” he said. “So, we’ll be around for a long time to come.”
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919 | UPFRONT
919’s
LIVE MUSIC SCENE
Where to Go, What to See
2019 Live Music Events *
This is a partial list of major live music performances scheduled at some of the larger 919 live music venues.
COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK
3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
• Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, May 23
• Hootie & the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, May 31
• Florence and The Machine, Jun 5
• Rascal Flatts, Jun 28
• Dierks Bentley, Jul 11
• Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Jul 13
• Mary J Blige & Nas, Jul 25
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May/June 2019
UPFRONT | 919
DIRTY MAUDE
YEAR FORMED:
Fall 2016
MEMBERS:
Tim Noonan (guitar), Cary
Shannon Burgess (bass), Apex
Aaron Gerlach (drums), Cary
Jim Demitriou, (keyboards), Raleigh
Kathy Miller (lead vocals), Apex
MUSIC GENRE:
Rock, Alternative Rock
REGULAR VENUES:
Mac’s, Corner Tavern, Doherty’s, Sophie’s
UPCOMING
SHOWS:
5/17 (The Corner); 6/21 (Sophie’s)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
facebook.com/dirtymaude
BOOKING
Tim Noonan, 919-656-7740
CONTACT:
Kathy Miller 704-651-7067
• Florida Georgia Line, Jul 26
• Nelly, TLC & Flo Rida, Jul 27
• Heart, Joan Jett, Aug 10
• Brad Paisley, Aug 15
• Beck, Aug 24
• Jason Aldean, Sept 13
• Peter Frampton, Sept 14
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“One of the unique things about us, is that) we shamelessly plug Bea Arthur.”
“No one in the band is named Maude, but we are all equally dirty!”
“We decided early on that we wanted to play songs that not everyone was already doing and we wanted to make sure we all really liked what we were playing.”
“Engaging the audience is super important. Coming together to put on the best show possible is always rewarding.”
DIRTY MAUDE
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DUKE ENERGY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 E South St, Raleigh 919-996-8700 dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
• Songs of America: Tim McGraw, John Mecham, June 24
• Glenn Miller Orchestra, July 15
KOKO BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE
8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary 800-514-3849 boothamphitheatre.com
• Yes, Asia and Guests, July 10
• Weird Al Yankovic, July 13
• Greensky Bluegrass, July 19
• Little Big Town, Sept 6
JOSEPH M BRYAN JR THEATER IN THE MUSEUM PARK NC Museum of Art 2110 Blue Ridge, Raleigh 919-839-6262 ncartmuseum.org
• Steep Canyon Rangers, June 14
• Bruce Hornsby/Amos Lee, July 23
• Lyle Lovett, Aug 7
• Old Crow Medicine Show, Aug 24
• Chaka Khan, Aug 29
PNC ARENA
1400 Edwards Mil Rd, Raleigh ticketmaster.com
• Paul McCartney, May 27
• Ariana Grande, June 4
• Twenty One Pilots, June 11
• Luis Miguel, June 18
• New Kids on the Block, July 7
• Backstreet Boys, Aug 20
• Carrie Underwood, Sept 30
RED HAT AMPHITHEATER
500 S McDowell St, Raleigh 919-996-8500 redhatamphiteater.com
• Earth, Wind & Fire, May 10
• Bryan Adams, May 12
• Wu-Tang Clan, June 8
• World of Bluegrass, Sept 27-28
DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
123 Vivian St, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com
• Styx, June 23
• Ringo Starr & His All-starr Band, Aug 6
• Gladys Knight, Aug 21
• Temptations/Four Tops, Aug 23
CAROLINA THEATRE
309 W Morgan St, Durham 919-560-3030 carolinatheatre.org
• Steve Earle & The Dukes, June 19
• Dwight Yoakam, June 27
• Bacon Brothers, July 23
• Righteous Brothers, Sep 29
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UPFRONT | 919
Other 919 Music Venues *
BLUE NOTE GRILL
709 Washington St, Durham 919-401-1979 thebluenotegrill.com
BENDER STREET
CAT’S CRADLE
300 E Main St, Carrboro 919-967-9053 catscradle.com
MOTORCO MUSIC HALL
723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham 919-901-0875 motorcomusic.com
PINHOOK
117 W Main St, Durham 984-244-7243 thepinhook.com
YEAR FORMED: 2015 MEMBERS:
Frank Barnacz (rhythm guitar, lead vocals) Stephanie Johnston (bass, lead vocals) Eric Rantanen (lead guitar, vocals) Johnathan Bitticks (drums/ vocals) MUSIC GENRE: Rock, Alternative, Pop REGULAR VENUES: The Big Easy (Raleigh), Brickhouse Bar & Grille, Mason Jar Lager Co., Bombshell Brewery, Growler Grlz
UPCOMING SHOWS: 5/19 (Lincoln Theatre); 6/1 (Run the Quay); 6/8 (Mac’s Tavern); 6/15 (The Big Easy, Raleigh) 6/21 (Abbey Road, Fuquay) SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/benderstreet BOOKING CONTACT: 919-418-8314, benderstreetband@gmail.com
LINCOLN THEATRE 126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh 919-821-4111 lincolntheatre.com
LOCAL 506
506 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill 919-942-5506 local506.com
“Bender Street is a complete package. Not just great musicians, but the vocals are just as versatile. (We mix) in originals with creative covers.”
“(We find most rewarding) is feeling the crowds energy when we play. Seeing them dance, sing along and coming up to us after a show and telling us that it was their favorite growing up or how much they loved a song.”
BENDER STREET
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BULL CITY
SYNDICATE *
* Formerly Soul Kitchen & The Bull City Horns
** Name change in 2007
RITZ RALEIGH
2820 Industrial Dr, Raleigh 919-424-1400 ritzraleigh.com
KINGS RALEIGH
14 W Martin St, Raleigh 919-833-1091 kingsraleigh.com ______________________________ Local Music Bars & Restaurants *
Below are some of the many venues in the 919 offering a variety of live music from local and regional bands and entertainers.
YEAR FORMED: 1993 ** MEMBERS:
Steve Baker (trumpet, flugelhorn, lead vocals) Danielle Ward (lead vocals) Dan Lantier (lead vocals, percussion) Scott Harrell (drums) Randy Ines (bass, vocals) Steven Coon (guitars, vocals) Frank Longino (keyboards, trombone) Vhondy Strickland (saxophones, woodwinds) Yahyah Corbett (trumpet) John Morris (trombone) MUSIC GENRE: Pop, R&B, Rock, Jazz (Top 40 variety) REGULAR VENUES: Primarily private events, public festivals UPCOMING SHOWS: 5/9 (Thrive NC, downtown Raleigh) BOOKING CONTACT: bullcitysyndicate.com,
919-272-5231, steve@smbmg.com SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/bullcitysyndicate; facebook.com/bcsexpressraleigh
RECOGNITIONS: Couple’s Choice Award Winner (weddingwire.com; multiple years); headliner, NC Governor Inaugural Ball (2017, 2013)
“Our band also performs as a six-piece act called BCS Express. As Captain and the Keels, we also perform ‘yacht rock’, and we also have a five-member side project called ‘Stardust to Ashes’ tribute to David Bowie.”
“At our appearances, you’re hearing things that no other band in the region is doing. And the response we get from that extra effort is quite gratifying.”
BULL CITY SYNDICATE
SOPHIE’S GRILL AND BAR
2734 NC Hwy 55, Cary 919-355-2377 sophiesgrillandbar.com
DOHERTY’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT
1979 High House Rd, Cary 919-388-9930 dohertysirishpub.com
MAC’S TAVERN 1014 Ryan Rd, Cary 919-467-4114 macs-tavern.wixsite.com
THE CORNER TAVERN & GRILL
1301 NSW Maynard Rd, Cary 919-460-0088 Cornertaverncary.com
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THE BIG EASY
222 Fayetteville St, Raleigh 919-832-6082 bigeasync.com
NIGHT SHIFT BAND RALEIGH
THE BRICKHOUSE BAR & GRILLE
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina 919-346-1204 facebook.com/thebrickbarandgrill
MASON JAR LAGER COMPANY
341 Broad St #151, Fuquay-Varina 919-557-5303 masonjarlagerco.com
BOMBSHELL BEER COMPANY
120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs 919-823-1933 bombshellbeer.com
GROWLER GRLZ
4810 Hope Valley Rd #110, Durham 919-973-2755 growlergrlz.com
WILD WING CAFÉ
7900 Brier Creek Pkwy, Raleigh 919-957-2000 wildwingcafe.com
CLEVELAND DRAFT HOUSE
6101 NC 42, Garner 919-771-2337 clevelanddrafthouse.com
* Partial Lists; additional shows and venues available
YEAR FORMED: 2010 MEMBERS:
Michelle Boyette (vocals) Tim Currin (drums, vocals) Bob Milner (guitar) Jim Demitriou (keyboards) Dave Seymour (bass) Bob Mellin (guitar) MUSIC GENRE: Rock, Pop, Motown, Funk, Country REGULAR VENUES: Cleveland Draft House,
Wild Wing Café, Big Easy UPCOMING SHOWS: 5/10 (Sophie’s); 6/1 (Big Easy Raleigh);
6/8 (Cleveland Draft House); 7/27 (Big Easy Raleigh) RECOGNITIONS: #2 Dance Band, Raleigh (Reverbnation) SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/nightshiftbandraleigh Instagram: nightshiftbandraleigh Twitter: NightShiftRalNC
BOOKING CONTACT: Dave Seymore, 919-637-5026 nightshiftbandraleigh@gmail.com nightshiftbandraleigh.com
“Without a doubt, (we enjoy) playing to a crowd that is enjoying themselves, dancing to our music, and generally having a great time.”
“All of us (in Night Shift) have been playing in bands since our teenage years, and three of us were playing in a local church band and decided to start up a band.”
NIGHT SHIFT BAND RALEIGH
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919 | UPFRONT
PINECONE
Presents Summer Filled With Traditional Music
Pinecone is the Piedmont
Council of Traditional Music, serving North Carolina to preserve, promote and present all forms of traditional music, dance and other folk performing arts.
Pinecone presents more than 200 music programs annually; some of those are concerts, most of which are free. The organization also sponsors workshops, jams and camps -- and great programs for youth, including documentary and film projects. In addition, Pinecone also has the Weekly Pinecone Bluegrass Show on WQDR 94.7 on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
PINECONE
OFFICIAL NAME: Piedmont Council of Traditional Music
WEBSITE: pinecone.org PHONE: 919-664-8333
BOX OFFICE: 919-664-8302 PURPOSE:
Preserving, presenting and promoting traditional music, dance and other folk performing arts
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Following are featured events in May and June. For additional events, shows and performances throughout 2019, visit pinecone.org.
The Trailblazers (Wilkesboro, NC)
INFO:
MEMBERS:
DATE: VENUE:
www.919Magazine.com
thetrailblazersmusic.com facebook.com/thetrailblazersmusic/ instagram/thetrailblazersofficial Jonah Horton (mandolin) Daniel Thrailkill (guitar) Will Thrailkill (bass) Alex Edwards (banjo) May 11, 7 pm (free) Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park, Cary
The Trailblazers make original music and put their own twist on endless classics, and they released their debut album, A Place to Call My Own, in 2016. They are the 2018 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year and have won many prestigious contests, including Merlefest (2017) and the SPBGMA International Band Contest (2018).
Chatham Rabbits (Bynum, NC)
INFO:
chathamrabbits.com
facebook.com/chathamrabbits/
instagram.com/chatham_rabbits/
MEMBERS:
Sarah Osborne McCombie (banjo)
Austin McCombie (guitar)
VENUE:
NC Museum of History,
5 E Edenton St, Raleigh
DATE:
May 12, 3 pm
(free)
The English Garden will present flowers to mothers at this concert, which celebrates the 20th anniversary season of the Music of the Carolinas series.
May/June 2019
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Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (Sevierville, TN), with special guests Old Salt Union
INFO:
MEMBERS:
VENUE:
DATE:
theporamblinboys.com/ facebook.com/poramblinboys/ twitter.com/poramblinboys instagram.com/poramblinboys CJ Lewandowski (mandolin) Jereme Brown (banjo) Josh Rinkel (guitar) Jasper Lorentzen (bass). Sevierville, TN CCU Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal North Hills, Raleigh May 19, 2-6 pm (free)
The first Midtown Bluegrass concert of this year also features Old Salt Union and preshow music. Both bands share an aesthetic that cuts through the noise of everyday life in the 21st century. Before the music gets started on stage, musicians of all ages and abilities are invited to jam together with facilitator Russell Johnson beginning at 2 p.m.
Srinivas/Rao
MEMBERS:
VENUE:
DATE:
Gowri Srinivas (veena) Sudhindra Rao (mridangam, kanjira) Samarth Rao (mridangam, kanjira) NC Museum of History, 5 E Edenton St, Raleigh June 9, 3 pm (free)
Event showcases classical carnatic music from India, featuring a collaboration between two accomplished, seasoned performers and one accomplished young high school musician.
Violet Bell (Durham)
MEMBERS:
INFO:
VENUE: DATE:
Lizzy Ross (guitar) Omar Ruiz Lopez (multi-instrumentalist) lizzy.net/ facebook.com/violetbellmusic; twitter.com/VioletBellMusic instagram.com/violetbellmusic Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park, Cary June 15, 7 pm (free)
Violet Bell was born in 2016, when singer-songwriter Ross recruited Ruiz-Lopez as a multi-instrumentalist for a live album recording -- two weeks before the show. Ruiz-Lopez slayed the performance and brought out a new dimension of beauty in the music. Violet Bell released their debut EP Dream the Wheel in 2017 and have been playing ever since.
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