Playmore! Music @ Tuggles Gap

Joel Venditti August 12

2006-08-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

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

2006-08-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

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

Funks Blue Hybrid.. Floyd Fest Weekend!

2006-07-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

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 !

2006-07-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

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 .

July Performace Schedule

2006-07-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

These days are warm & lazy at the GAP. Please join us and bring your instrument of choice... there is room on the stage for everyone.

or... you can just relax and enjoy.

July 1: Michael & Kari Kovick (see post below)

July 8: Nico Woodruff : 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. http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=53184

July 15: Martin Scudder with Coveney & Luster: Picking up the violin at the age of 8, Martin was classically trained for ten years. After three years he was playing with the local college symphony. Martin soon discovered "electricity" and a love for jazz and blues ... with a rock influence. Martin is joined by Bernie Coveney, guitar and Chris Luster, bass, local favorites. This trio will transport you to new heights with their spontaneous harmonies and rhythms.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/martintscudder

July 22: is open want to play? call us 540 745 4566

July 29: Terry Thompson & the Good Intentions: Gospel & Bluegrass

photos of June performances

2006-06-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Chris Luster (photo s.neese)

just relax'n (photo r.kell)

Winged Heart Band (photo r.kell)

Family Time (photo r.kell)

Winged Heart Band with Stephen Pague (photo r.kell)

Winged Heart (photo r.kell)

The Lawn has plenty of room for more! Come Join us! (photo r.kell)

The folks from N. VA (photo by s.neese)
Billy Miller and Bill Adams (photo s.neese)
Billy Miller (photo s.neese)
Billy Miller (photo s.neese)

billy & guest (photo s.neese)

Billy & Bill (photo s.neese)

Billy Miller & guests (photo s.neese)

The "Crowd" performance #1 (photo r.kell)

Bernie Coveney, acoustic guitar & Chris Luster bass (photo r.kell)

2006-06-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

Michael & Kari Kovick Saturday July 1

Tuggles Gap: Playmore! Music Lawn Concerts

Date & Time: July 1 12 -3 (open mic 1-2)

Where:Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Hotel Floyd VA

Intersection of Route 8 and the Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 165

Cost: Free (we will pass the hat for the performers)

Kari and Michael Kovick will be holding the stage this coming
Saturday, 12 to 3, at the Tuggles Gap:Playmore! Music Lawn Concert.
Kari & Michael's incredibly beautiful voices, warmly blended in a
relaxed and intimate style make this married duo an inspiration to
encounter. Their talents are authentic, natural, and personally
created, right down to the mandolin that Michael crafted himself and
plays.

The Kovicks feature an impressive array of instruments that includes
mandolin, fiddle, guitar, blues harp and hand drum. The songs they
choose are favorites from the traditions of acoustic folk, blues,
traditional Appalachian, and favorite contemporary artists like Dar
Williams, Gillian Welch, and Tim O'Brien, with a few originals, too.
Kari holds a special place in the hearts of many Floyd county
children, as she has led children's music classes in the area for the
past few years.

Often uplifting, always enjoyable, these two love to share what feels
real and good with the region they love. Kari and Michael Kovick live
and work and raise their children in Floyd County.

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.

Tuggles Gap: PLAYMORE! MUSIC Lawn Concerts

2006-06-27T03:14:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Begin: June 10 2006

End: October 14, 2006

Bernie Coveney and his production company Playmore! Music have been engaged by Cherie Baker of Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel to produce the Saturday afternoon lawn concert series that was announced in May. Cheri and Bernie are combining their vision for providing a venue for regional artists in a relaxed family atmosphere at this historical landmark just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd.

Bernie a consummate musician who teaches, or better yet, inspires his students to find the musician within. Bernie has years of experience writing and performing music. His musical roots are in blue grass but his development as a musician has found him on stage with the likes of Emmy Lou Harris, John Carlini & Steve Pague. He can be heard several nights a week at different venues in Floyd, VA, playing original compositions, gypsy/jazz, bluegrass, blues, country and a little bit of rock 'n roll. He likes playing with people who stimulate him and says that Floyd has a lot of musicians who do that. To that end he is opening up the stage at Tuggles Gap to both professional musicians and "just for fun" musicians.

The concerts are from 12 to 3 every Saturday 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.

EVENT: Tuggles Gap: Playmore! Music Lawn Concerts

WHEN: Every Saturday High Noon to 3pm

open mic 1-2

June - October (rain or shine)

WHERE: Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Hotel Floyd VA

intersection of Route 8 and the Blue Ridge Parkway mile post 165

COST: Free (we will pass the hat for the performers)

The historic Tuggles Gap Restaurant is hosting a free lawn concert series every Saturday afternoon. The musical style will range from Gospel to Rock & everything inbetween.

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.

This family oriented event will run throughout the summer and into the fall. Regional musicians and performers will take center stage. For those folks who are inspired to share their talents, the mic will be open to them for part of the afternoon. Games & food will be available or you can bring a picnic and blanket and just relax.

Contact:

Bernie Coveney: 540 861- 4690
Rosalie Kell: 540 745-4566