Category: The Dust Parade

The Building of A Band ~ The Dust Parade

Back when I was months into the commitment of creating a music blog, I wandered to the coast and ended up at Cru Bar in Beaufort, NC, where Hank Barbee was performing solo. He was a long, tall, solo stringer with a voice that captivated anyone within ear shot of the coffee and wine bar.

It was the Summer of 2017. Hank was in the company of his beautiful girlfriend, Holly, who is now his wife. (The lovely couple married in the Fall of 2019.)

When we met, we were both in search of our creative selves. Thanks to the kindness he extended my way, I stretched out on my blog dreams; as I set out to help artists like Barbee. Back then, he was a solo act, with the hopes of piecing together a band. Which, as the weeks and months unfolded, we got to watch as the pieces fell in place right here. Or so it seemed … this is the music business, after all; so hiccups are expected.

After catching his first show, I spoke with Heather Haiss, owner of the Brown Pelican and asked her for a date for Barbee. She obliged my request and the following month, I booked my first out of town act, in town at The Brown Pelican. It was the first of many out of towners that I would bring, but Barbee remains a town favorite.

Back when we met, he had a debut, self- titled, solo album that was on the market for about three years. He was hard at work on releasing his second solo effort, Son Royale which would be released the following year. It was during the promotional tour for that release that Barbee started the process of building his band.

First came the bass player with the addition of Matthew Henderson. Not long after they were gelling, he started forming a groove with a saxophone which made room for the addition of Jim Durham. And then came the long, four year search for the beat master.

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I know Barbee and his story pretty well, so, if I had to go out on a limb, I would bring you back to the days when a young Hank Barbee was breaking into music with, friend, Chet Miller who played drums. Barbee is so familiar with Miller’s beat that it’s his home, where his heart is. Drums are important to band unity, so it’s a hard position to fill than most realize.

When Barbee tours the southern states, he calls in his music brother from another mother and Miller answers the call. Miller makes his home in Florida which is where the two roamed in their younger days.

In what seems like another life, Barbee was a band leader for a band based in Atlanta. When life got crazy, Barbee took a step back, returned to his roots, got back in touch with his true self, approached things with a sober mind and made his way back to music via a Carolina road. Working with and for family, Barbee kept music in the side pocket. Once things settled down and his creative juices refreshed, he sought out solo gigs and before long another band to lead.

Once he secured two players on the regular, Henderson and Durham; Barbee turned his back on his own name and put The Dust Parade out front on all the works going forward. He removed his name from shirts and made his band the featured product of his website!

Barbee put a lot of work in looking for the right players to fit the name he already had. The Dust Parade now has three solid players backing Barbee on guitar and vocals. Completing, the search about a year ago, The Dust Parade now features Xavier Roberson sitting behind the kit.

Since forming the trio, Barbee has been busy writing more songs from his heart. I have to say, some of his best works are coming. Many of my favorite songs from this band have yet to be released. Coming up in the weeks ahead, I am going to sit down with Barbee for a more in depth talk about the band, their direction and a new recording.

For those looking to find The Dust Parade music, The Dusty Trio is playing tomorrow night and you can read more on that gig below in the New Hanover County region of the run down. To keep up with the band, buy some merch, listen to their music and know when they are coming your way visit The Dust Parade.

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Thursday was Steak Night with Music so Right

Tommy Duzan was the dinner music delight for the diners at Harbour Pointe Bar and Grille on Thursday evening.

This fine young stringer is the voice behind Toyota of New Bern’s commercial. He is also a familiar face on our local music scene. Rocking since a young age, Duzan takes his music influence from his father, Charlie Duzan.

The elder Duzan, in fact, was on hand last week, and got up on Thursday evening to keep the music going during Tommy’s breaks.

The first time I hired the Duzan’s they played together for a group of volunteers that gather to help those effected by Florence a few years ago.

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Friday Night To The North

Ribeyes for Music and Dinner

On Friday evening I welcomed the weekend with a fine dinner and music thanks to Ribeyes of Washington. They have a wonderful menu featuring fine cuts and fresh seafood. I went with a small filet and lobster tail with a salad. The salad comes with a menu for people to fill out so that it can be made to order. The greens were fresh and topping crisp! It was a great meal.

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One of the big reasons I like this place, has little to do with the good food they serve. Rather, it’s the music they promote. I truly appreciate a restaurant owner, like Justin Pate, who makes room for music in his establishment.

With regard to the music, I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting Jamie Pridgen and Billy Craig, a duo of country crooners that had not played together since October of last year.

During a break I had a few minutes to chat with Pridgen, who told me that 2020 was the worst year he has known as an entertainer. He barely played 50 shows last year. In 2019 he and his band played more than 220 shows. Needless to say the virus has hurt our local music makers terribly.

This Friday Pridgen turns 26 and is hoping the year ahead is a better one. It was via a chat message that I learned Pridgen has been performing most of his life.

He told me “ I started playing music when I was 2. My grandad had a classic country band and he would hold me up to the microphone to sing Keith Whitley and other various artists. My first paid show was around 14.”

I asked Pridgen about his influences to which he replied “My biggest influences are George Strait, Merle Haggard, Luke Bryan, and Dierks Bentley. I’m all over the place on influencers.”

Personally I love how he embraces old and new acts, it’s reflective in his music stylings also. One of my final questions to Pridgen, was about the road ahead and how venues can reach him.

He said, “I’m hoping the road ahead will get back busy as it normally used to be. For bookings, I can be reached at (252)-567-5390 or by email at jamiepridgenmusic@gmail.com.”

During the pandemic the singer songwriter kept busy creating and wrote about 8 songs which are studio ready. He is hoping that as things return to normal he can get into the studio this Spring.

As for his partner that night, Billy Craig is a part of the Eli Craig entourage and like most players, he has been trying to keep busy with whatever shows come along. Along for the ride on the night I met him was his young daughter Gracie Craig who joined the duo on vocals.

I reached out to Craig on messenger to learn more about his career but at press time the message still remains unanswered. What I can tell you is you can catch Craig back at Ribeyes of Washington this Saturday. He will be performing with his brother Eli and special guest Cooper Greer who just released a new single this week. More details on that show are below in the weekend rundown.

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Captain Cooks and Country Music

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One of the reasons I do what I do is to help artist connect to venues hiring for music. So when I reached out to Captain Cooks, last week to find out who was performing, owner, Todd Rodzen, told me he was working on it. To which I replied by sending him the phone number of Tan Sanders.

I had just seen Sanders in New Bern the week before so he was fresh in my mind. A few minutes later Rodzen reached out to say Tan Sanders was playing on Friday!

When we walked in on Friday, Sanders was on break and Duane Haddock was working the mic and playing Sanders’ six string. Haddock was in attendance at the show and asked to play a song or two for his wife, who was celebrating a birthday last Friday evening. He has an amazing voice and was an unexpected treat on the night.

Following a few selections by Haddock, Sanders was back on the mic and his good buddy, Warren Davis was wrapping the beats. Davis is a part of Sander’s trio. That is a project separate and apart from his band The Derelicts.

Much like many skilled players, Sanders offers venues a variety of price variants, by offering solo performances, duo, trio and full band options. Sanders plays a variety of music, most with a country edge, but I happen to like the original music he shares the best.

For those looking to hire a talented act for a supper show, this one sings. Tan Sanders is available to bring the music, just give him a call at (919) 922-7890.

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Night Cap With Nannette and CC

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For the finale on Friday we stopped by Parley’s Sip & Steam to catch the final few songs from CC and Nanette. These two girls were working the enthusiastic crowd when we arrived. The duo offers a huge variety of songs for all occasions.

During the week, I reached out to both ladies to ask some questions and Nanette Garrett first replied to my many inquiries. This lady is a lifer with nearly four decades of rock stories under her belt.

In her response Garrett told me, “I’ve been performing live in rock bands for almost 4 decades. I come from a large family of singers and musicians on my late mother’s side. She could play and sing anything by ear. I started singing in church at 4 with her playing piano. I have always loved to sing. It’s just been a natural part of me like breathing. I learned how to play a little piano around 6,7 then drums 10/11 and got into Kiss and a little guitar, 12 and then I got into Heart and Fleetwood Mac. Ann Wilson became my biggest influence. I still love Heart. I also love Stevie Nicks.
I didn’t have anyone around where I grew up that played music. When I was 17, I found my first poster of a band looking for a singer. so I auditioned and I got the job.
That was my first rock band and after a couple of high school gigs and various members and name changes we started playing in bars when I was 18.
From 18 until I was 22, I played around eastern NC mostly in small clubs and parties. Then I joined a road band that played covers and originals all over 6 different states in the southeast us.
After playing with them for almost 2 years, the singer/keyboardist and future husband JC Stephenson and I decided to form our own band, Snakes-N-Angels and write and record our music. We recorded 2 CDs which are available on most digital platforms.
We played shows off and on during the 90’s in NC, NYC and Los Angeles, while raising our daughter. But as life throws you curveballs, he developed skin cancer.
He passed away in 2002. After JC, passed one of my guitarists from the old days came into my life. I saw yet another poster with his contact info looking for a bass player. Forgot to say earlier I started bass at 21, when we couldn’t find a bassist.
Anyway, needless to say William Garrett and I hit it off professionally and personally. We started working on covers and originals and he joined Snakes-N-Angels and after we got married, we decided to call our band Garrett.
We’ve played in Atlanta and NYC and eastern NC. We have several singles released and have been getting a lot of airplay all over the world in many countries since 2005. We’ve been in some TOP 10 countdowns on some independent radio stations.
We’re continuing to write and record our songs. Garrett hasnt done any live playing since last Valentine’s 2020.
We may start back later on this year.”

In 2018-19 Garrett was nominated for NC’s rock vocalist of the year. She said it was a huge honor to be recognized. For rock fans seeking her music follow this link Garrett.

Garrett spends her time these days working in a couple different duets, which she explained, “I met my first duo partner, Laura Davis at the recording studio where we worked. I knew from the first time I heard her play guitar that we were gonna be involved with her at some point.
I started booking her a few solo shows and came up and sang a few. Then we’d start exchanging ideas on songs we both liked. She’s a big Heart fan as well and we play about 5 Heart songs. We never practice, just discuss songs and go over them at soundcheck.”

“My second duo partner, Conoley Blake and I live near each other and I’ve sang with her at many open mics and harmonize with her at shows with Laura. We decided to put a show together that has a wide variety of genres throughout the decades. We play with backing tracks and me on cajon and her on piano. We both love Stevie Nicks and play 8 of her songs.” They also play a large variety of other songs that span many genres and cover half a century of music history in one show

The rocker stays busy promoting and booking gigs
through her booking company, River City Rockin’ Blues. For those looking for a dinner time duet call Garrett at (252) 944-1099.

As for upcoming shows Garrett informed me, “Conoley and I will be back at Parley’s Sip and Steam on Friday, Feb. 26 from 6-9 pm and Laura Davis and I will be there on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 12-3 pm.”

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Saturday Night to The East

Birthday Bash at BrÜtopia, New Bern

In case I needed proof that time flies, here it is! Hard to believe it was about six years ago that I was attending the Entrepreneurial Academy at Craven Community College in the hopes of building a media promotions business, that I would meet Tim Dryden. About the third week in we would work together on a group build and during that excercise I saw the first glance of what would become BrÜtopia in James City.

Now five years in existence, the small brewery and beer shop celebrated the milestone with Joe Baes Project working the room and sweet treats and hot dogs were being served up in the parking lot! On tap was a celebratory beer, the Milkshake IPA was made for such an occasion.

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He and his business partner, Bryan Conway have worked hard to bring fresh brewed beer and supplies to local residents. They are very involved in community events and even share their passion for brewing beer by offering the first brew class at the college. I had a chance to talk to Dryden on Saturday evening, when I stopped in to wish them well. I know the partners recently opened a second location which has been a bear on their backs.

Much of the reason for that is Covid related as well as location. They now have a second store on Highway 70 in the huge shopping plaza behind cook out. They were hoping to open a new location late last Spring, but given the conditions, delays from shut downs and then town policy playing its part, BrÜtopia Havelock finally opened their doors during the holiday season last year. The new location is open Monday – Friday 5-9 pm and noon til 9 pm on Saturdays. Stop by the new location the next time you drive through and show some love.

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Sweet Sounds from Swansboro

Following our well-wishing visit to BrÜtopia, Jaymi Mitchell and I drove to the coast to find out who else was playing. For our first stop we found Justin Castellano tapping out tunes at Willy Nilly Warehouse in Swansboro. It’s always a pleasure to listen to this masterful guitarist share his sounds. While in attendance, I met a fe of my Facebook followers, including sweet support Zach Miller and local music promoter and Swan Fest coordinator, Rich Wells.

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While visiting the gift shop that serves a variety of beer and wine; I spoke with the owner, Jack Harnatkiewicz, who was tending to details behind the bar. Turns out he and his wife Deb own the establishment upstairs, Bake Bottle and Brew, another fun gift shop that supports live music. When the place downstairs became available the business owners pounced and opened the doors of Willy Nilly Warehouse just a few months ago. Deb Harnatkiewicz manages the music bookings and promotions.

Castellano is as amazing as ever. He has stayed busy making music during these pandemic days on line. Though not as busy as before the pandemic, Castellano is still booking shows for the 2021 music season. As he awaits word on new shows he passes his time productively by offering fans a taste of his music on line with a morning offering of weekly Coffee Jams segments on Facebook. With regard to playing, keeps busy performing live shows along the coast mostly but travels near and far too. Castellano’s style is something to behold as it sets him apart from most players in our area.

He is a good one to follow if you’re a gear geek too. When he was out on Saturday he was playing a wireless pedal board. I love how advanced things are for players to keep a clean stage set. You can find this stringer and singer on Facebook or visit his website at Justin C Guitar. He makes an awesome act for any dinner show and is elegant enough for weddings too. To schedule a date with Castellano call (252) 917-2544.

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Country Rock Closes Out the Night

Saturday marked my first experience with JP Guhns Band based out of Jacksonville. This is a fun rocking country band that not only offers a long list of covers, but also writes and records songs of their own. Lead singer, Jacob Paul Guhns, uses his life experiences to offer songs of hope and consequence to listeners. The entertainer has seen more on his military missions than on his music journey, but it’s his ability to create music that shares his experiences with the world is what helps get this player through the hard times.

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The first time I met this singer songwriter it was at a chance meeting of several singing songwriting Marines that came together for a night of sharing original music at Nick’s Blacksheep Tavern. It was truly an amazing night of music. File photo below.

Though the band did not play any original music while we were there on Saturday night, they do have music to share. In fact, check out this song Good Friends and Whiskey.

Besides promoting his own music, Guhns does a lot of work to help promote others. In fact, a couple of weeks ago his media company Gas Up Productions did an awesome promotion piece on local artist, Ryan Rubich.

Like most acts, these boys are looking for more work as well! They are loads of fun with Guhns offering great showmanship and crowd interaction. The talented rhythm section also changes things up and swap positions with Billy Mobley giving up his bass to drummer Justin Sokoloski. To book this high energy rocking country act email Guhns at jakebublitz@yahoo.com.

For those on the Greenville area, Guhns will be in town this Friday for a solo show. You can find out more in the Pitt County section below.

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Live Music Options

Cruising The State County by County

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

Beaufort County

Friday

*****

Saturday

*****

*****

*****

Sunday

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Brunswick County

Friday

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Carteret County

Thursday

*****

Friday

*****

****

*****

*****

Saturday

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Craven County

Thursday

*****

Friday

*****

*****

*****

Saturday

******

Sunday

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Durham County

Saturday

*****

Sunday

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Guilford County

Thursday