Joel Venditti August 12

Joel Venditti, songwriter, guitarist & vocalist will be performing on the Tuggles Gap Stage this Saturday. Joel plays and sings a variety of classic & original songs interspersed with instrumental music. He started writing his own songs 25 years ago in junior high school and has continued to write new songs whenever they come to him. Joel focuses on the song when he performs, the way it sounds, the way it makes him feel and the way the audience responds to it. He plays electric guitar in bands and also performs solo with acoustic guitar and singing.

Joel Venditti started listening to music at the age of 4. His sister's Simon and Garfunkle albums were his favorites and inspired 25 yeas of musical expression and exploration. In 1977 he got his first guitar and took lessons for 3 years, after that he continued to teach himself to play. He traveled throughout the western US playing in coffee houses, bars, and clubs, or just on the street. Joel says " I had a lot of fun back in those days and saw enough of the United States to last a lifetime. I live in Floyd now , I'm settled down here & starting a family. I love it here in Floyd!".

Joel performs in local venues like Oddfellows Cantina, The Black Water Loft, Cafe Del Sol, Tuggles Gap, The Woodberry Inn, Over the Moon Cafe, The Coffee Mill in Radford, and The Cellar Restaurant in Blackburg, People can find information about him on the Floyd musicians' website Started by Mark Hodges at Mountain Fever Studio's here in Floyd.


Performance begins at high noon!

August 5: Forever Now ... eclectic folk rock band

THIS WEEK:

Forever Now, a Floyd based eclectic folk rock band, creates original songs and delivers them in an entertaining and engaging style. Forever Now's unique musical style fuses traditional European folk tunes with more contemporary American rock and folk elements. From the rousing crowd pleaser "Is it the End or is it the Beginning" to the haunting, thought provoking "Lullaby for Andrea", Bavarian born musician-artist Starroot shows real versatility as a songwriter. She sings and plays accordion, guitar, and harmonica. Walt Flythe plays guitar and flute, and Rick Hall, plays bass guitar.

August Schedule

August 5 Forever Now
August 12 Joel Vindetti
August 19 Bob Grubble
August 26 Bernie Coveney & Chris Luster

Funks Blue Hybrid.. Floyd Fest Weekend!

FUNK’S BLUE HYBRID is a mixture of various influences
and backgrounds, composing an awesome musical experience.

This Saturday (7/29) Afternoon 12-3
Funks Blue Hybrid Will be bringing their Soulfull Rockin' sound to Tuggles Gap.

Lead vocals and guitars are the contributions of David Bates. David began his journey into music at an early age. He was influenced by many types of music, including Southern Rock, Soul, Blues, Bluegrass and Outlaw Country, as well as many forms of Rock -n- Roll. David found the Lord and waited... finally, in the summer of 2003, the band FUNK’S BLUE HYBRID was formed with bassist Elick Todt and drummer Jayson Orr.

Elick Todt started his musical career as a teenager on the guitar. Bristol, Virginia provided many musical influences ranging from Bluegrass to Psychedelic Rock. As Elick matured in his musical journey, he found himself drawn to the deep roots of the bass guitar..

Jayson Orr started his musical experience at seven years old on the piano. Eventually, Jayson discovered the guitar as his first real musical outlet. After fifteen years of studying the guitar as a musical instrument of expression and applying it to many different types of music, Jason found his true rhythmic calling on the drums. From his years of playing Blues, Rock, Metal, Funk and Jazz on guitar, as well as bass guitar, Jason gave into his always present rhythmic sense. Soon, Jason dedicated his entire musical experience completely to percussion. As a percussionist, Jason brings his talents, feelings, and spirituality to the experience that is FUNK’S BLUE HYBRID.

Suddenly, the music flowed like never before and
rained down from the heavens…
opening up streams in the desert…
so begins the journey…
and now they plant their seed…

Visit their site:
http://www.funksbluehybrid.com/index.html

Play their sound:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=51536201

hat is FUNK’S BLUE

Billy Miller Returns! Saturday 22nd

Billy Miller has returned from the renfaire world and will be holding the stage this Saturday! Billy is a wonderfully creative artist & musician His light hearted gentle energy infuses his music. He will be joined by Chris Luster on bass. Both Chris & Billy are open to fellow musicians joining them on stage.

billymiller.net

Bring your instruments be it voice or fiddle and join in the jam session or take a solo.

We are all friends here!

Martin Scudder and his red violin finally return to the Floyd music scene

Martin Scudder and his red violin finally return to the Floyd music scene on the Tuggles Gap stage!

Saturday July 15 12-3

(photos by Kim Scudder)


Martin is joined by local favorites Bernie Coveney, acoustic guitar and Chris Luster, bass. Collaborating on Bernie's original tunes plus a variety of mountain blues, jazz & gypsy...this trio will transport you to new heights with their spontaneous harmonies and rhythms.

Martin has performed live with several groups from New York to Alabama. Locally he played with the "Grace Note". He has provided violin and vocal tracks for various other artists since 1984. Martin picked up the violin at the age of 8. This began a love affair with the violin that led to 10 years of classic training. Within three years, at the age of 11, he was playing with the local college symphony. Martin soon discovered "electricity" and a love for jazz and blues ... with a rock influence.


The concert is from 12 to 3 this Saturday rain or shine, with an open mic from 1-2. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in for a jam or take to the stage for a solo. All musical styles are welcome... Gospel to Rock & everything in between.


Bring your dancing feet & kick up your heels or just relax in the gentle arms of the Blue Ridge Mountains for an afternoon of simple family fun.


*More information about Martin available at this link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/martintscudder

Contact:
Playmore! Music Productions:
Bernie Coveney & Rosalie Kell: 540 745-4566

Nico Woodruff July 8th !

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THIS WEEK:

Appearing at Tuggles Gap: Playmore! Music Lawn Concert this weekend will be Nico Woodruff. Nico's performance begins at high noon with a break in the middle for local musicians to join her on stage or step up to the mic for a solo.

Nicole Cooly Woodruff's music spans a variety of styles. With haunting ethereal vocals she sings enchanting Celtic and Scottish folk music as well as a variety of original and cover songs.

Nico's depth and range as a vocalist allows her to to sing lead, backup and harmony. In addition to being an accomplished rhythm guitarist, she plays incidental percussion instruments such as chimes and shakers. Nico also plays bowed psaltery (related to the dulcimer) and C flute.

The concerts are from 12 to 3 every Saturday rain or shine, with an open mic from 1-2. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in for a jam or take to the stage for a solo. All musical styles are welcome... Gospel to Rock & everything in between.

Bring your dancing feet & kick up your heels or just relax in the gentle arms of the Blue Ridge Mountains for an afternoon of simple family fun.

*Photos and more information about Nico available at this link: www.sonicbids.com/nicowoodruff

* photo & drawing by Robin Woodruff

LINKS to Friends of Playmore! Music

http://festivalsandevents.com/festival.php?state=VA

Floyd County In View , news, events and how to really live in Floyd County: http://www.floydcountyinview.com

suzy nees... artist and visionary : ideapark.org

Billy Miller... eclectic & spontaneous professional musician: billymiller.net

Floyd County Music: www.floydmusic.com

Doug Thompson, “Blue Ridge Creative”, Photographer, journalist, web design, custom photo printing, photo gallery.
www.blueridgecreative.com, www.floydcounty.com .