Welcome to the new spot for my weekend recap. I think this will be a great way to end a Monday. It will give people something light to read; while sharing news about our local music scene and all of the players that are filling it with their talent. I will also end this piece with open mic events that happen in the area and highlight gigs for Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

I stayed close to home this past weekend and reconsidered my path for this blogging adventure. Let me say, I am enjoying the journey and I am mostly excited about reporting again. I enjoy being a source for people to find live music.

I like informing people on options, giving them ideas that help a cause that is huge to my heart…supporting live music. My favorite past times are listening to live music, dancing and recapturing the night with words.   I used to get paid and my words were published. It was a great place to be at the age of 25! I never let go of those days. I have missed music since I left the scene in 2005. Now, I don’t miss it no more! So thanks for the support and please keep sending me your stuff:

tracey.stones.writer@gmail.com

Moving forward, deadlines are still going to remain Tuesday evening. You should include all gigs from Thursday  that week through the following Wednesday. Also include the address and the time if possible. I will publish the weekend recap each Monday and end it with a look around the region for Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Wednesday I will publish the regional list of events for Thursday and Friday. On Friday, I will publish the regional list for Saturday and Sunday. I think by doing it this way the regional rundown becomes more reader friendly and therefore, informative as well. I look forward to the journey, thanks for being a part of it.

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After finishing the regional rundown for last weekend, I scooted out the door to Persimmons Restaurant where I checked in with Steel Shot. These boys have been keeping busy this summer, playing many gigs outdoors and in the heat of the day. This is definitely the busy season and best time for bands to make their money. They played to a full crowd on the deck from 5-8 pm, entertaining the early dinner crowd with familiar favorites.

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After their show ended I headed over to have a listen to this week’s open mic event at the Brown Pelican. It happens each Thursday from 7-11 and is always a good time. This particular evening ended on a comedic note of karaoke! All players are welcome to sign up and be a part of this experience. Just grab you rig and gig bag and head to town. The Brown Pelican is located at 411 Broad Street, New Bern, NC.

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On Friday evening we started at The Brown Pelican where we checked in with a trio of seasoned area players. Rick Huff invited Mike Sandvig and Tod Stilley to sit in with him at the Brown Pelican last Friday night and all of them had a blast entertaining the packed house to with a bunch of songs they never played before…only because they never played together before. It was a fun night and the music was great.

 

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Next up we headed over the bridge and stopped at Triple Play Restaurant located at 111 Williamson Rd., New Bern, NC. Friday welcomed Bill Lyerly Band back to the area. They offered two full 90 minute sets of a full tilt rocking mix of country, rock n blues grit.

 

One of the things I love about Lyerly is his knowledge of music. He is quite versed in rock n roll facts and I love swapping stories  about former Rolling Stones guitar man, Mick Taylor. He played during my favorite era of the Stones and Lyerly can happily accommodate most any request from that era. Nonetheless, I was not expecting him to spin me around with his version of Midnight Rambler, but that is just what he did as we note here on this video.

Tracey Stones dancing to Bill Lyerly

 

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Saturday evening welcomed a quartet of players to BruTopia over in James City. Magnolia Steel played many great bluegrass favorites the packed house from 7-10 pm.

 

 

For those who are not familiar with their music here is a little snippet courtesy of my friend, Dan Phillips:

Magnolia Steel Live at BruTopia

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Next up we headed back  over the bridge to see Steel Shot live at The Brown Pelican. They were not originally scheduled to play on Saturday evening, but after the band slotted to play had to cancel I reached out to Shawn Mitchell and he and Jeremy Lowery came to my rescue to play out the remainder of the evening at The Brown Pelican

The evening at the local watering hole offered two sets of jamming by Matt Riddle, followed by Matt Livingston. Closing out the night was Steel Shot. Many people enjoyed the last set as they danced and enjoyed the music. And isn’t that what the weekend should be all about…enjoying the dance!!

 

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Live Music Options for Tuesday, August 2, 2016~

 

Looking around the region for the next couple of days, you can find that Pamlico County duo Steel Shot live each and every Tuesday  from 10 pm – 2 am at The Buccaneer Music Hall. That is located on Fire Tower Road in Greenville, NC.

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Another event taking place in Greenville that might interest some folks is this event simply know as Tapped Featured Artists! Here is the scoop fro the event page:

Hello everyone. My name is John Williams, some of you may know me from some of the many Open Mics I run around town, or singing at some of the local businesses or even as one of your former teachers. I am so excited to be able to announce this new opportunity afforded me to promote local music and local business.

On Tuesday,  August 2nd I am cordially inviting you to come join us from 7:30 -9:30 as the featured artists this week will be Phil McLean starting off the night followed by Timothy Bivans to end the evening.

REMEMBER: Not only is this Featured Artist Night it is also Kick The Keg night where they are trying to empty out some of the kegs and you can save $$$$$. Talk to your bartenders about what they have on special.

Working in cooperation with the new Tapped, I will be able step away from my usual Tuesday Open Mic Nights and step it up a notch. I will be performing on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month but, will also be able to feature local musicians during those weeks. Rather than the usual 3 to 5 song limits imposed on Open Mic Nights these talented individuals will be performing mini-shows of about an hour. Hopefully this will garner them some extra experience, showcase their talents and give them the exposure they need to move on to full shows.

We return on August 16th with featured artists – Rob Jones and Curtis Coleman.

Come join us, bring a friend or two, enjoy the new patio area, grab a brew and just sit back and relax while listening to the sounds of local entertainment at its finest.

Please share and get the word out to your friends so we can keep this as a viable venue to promote local music and local business.

Hope to see you there!

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There is an open mic event at Triple Play Restaurant each Tuesday  from 8 pm – 12 am. All players are welcome to come out and join this jam hosted by Big Jim & Kathy Kohler

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Live Music Options for Wednesday, Aug 2, 2016~

Chris Nash will perform live at the Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market from 5-8 pm. That is located at the Five Points Plaza in Greenville, NC.

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In Oriental each week they host an open mic event at Silo’s Restaurant from 7 pm -11 pm. All players are welcome to come out and take part in this wonderful weekly event hosted by the owner Chis Daniels. Daniels is a pretty solid six string player, so I imagine there is plenty of talent that comes to call here. Silo’s is located at 1111 Broad Street, Oriental, NC

 

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There is an open mic event at Mesh Sports Lounge also each and every Wednesday evening. Mesh is located at 2500 Trent Rd, New Bern, NC. All players are welcome to come out and jam from 7-11 pm weekly.

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Wednesday is also the kick off for the NC Watermelon Festival taking place in Murfreesboro, NC. Wednesday,  you can catch the great grooves of Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band  starting at 6:30 pm.

For more information about the full festival visit this website: NC Watermelon Festival Website

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Well kid, that is a wrap on all the things I have been doing as well as a look at what is to come in the days ahead. Be sure to send me your dates and I will include you in the regional rundown in the days ahead.

Once again that email address is tracey.stones.writer@gmail.com. 

I will return on Wednesday with your music choices fro Thursday and Friday. I hope your week is smooth sailing and you get to enjoy the dance soon. Thanks for reading.

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