Last summer I was invited to play the Sylvia Theatre's Songwriter's Night, in York SC.  This was my first opportunity to play at the Theatre, and I was knocked out with what a fine venue it is, and with the great potential it has as a showcase venue for regional music. Paul Finnican, who owns the theatre and is himself a songwriter and performer, operates the theatre as a labor of love, and his doors are wide open to local and regional talent. While a variety of music is promoted at the theatre on an ongoing basis, greater audience support is badly needed to make music at the Theater successful and economically viable. Since I now make my home in Clover SC, in York County, I have gotten on board to see what we can do to increase the visibility of music at the Theater, and to encourage more folks to get down our way to enjoy the music and other interesting local color that York County has to offer.

So, I want to let you know about two musical events at Sylvia Theatre that I'll be involved in come late Summer and Fall…more detail to follow in coming weeks:

Sylvia Theatre Songwriter's Night

I will  be co-hosting the Songwriter's Night along with Paul Finnican on the following dates, shows are at 9:00 pm:

Saturday, August 16

with Chris Peace (Charlotte NC)

Friday, September 5

with Angela Easterling (Greenville NC), and Galen Wall (Gastonia NC)

Yuengling Catawba City Music Series

Showcasing top regional Americana music, shows are at 9:00 pm. Sponsored by Yuengling Brewery (yup, that Yuengling!)

Friday September 19

Bill Noonan Band and the Black Bottom Biscuits

Friday October 17

 Mama Said and Carolina Gator Gumbo

Friday November 14

South-85 and Tater

High summer, I reckon you'd call it. Sure could use some rain down our way. Pasture is dry and the pond is droppin'. But down at the Biddy Hut they got an on-premise license and you can stop in on the way back home, have you a cold beer, and catch up on what's goin' on. News of the world ain't all that great neither, but what you gonna do? Keep on workin'. Speaking of which, check out the new show dates. Big doin's at the Sylvia Theatre in York...mighty fine music venue in a genuine Carolina small town setting. More news to follow...BN

"Let's resurrect this town with music, make it like the old dancehalls in Texas during the Bob Wills days, let's get people out of their bubbles and make 'em get up and dance…" Matt "Shorty" Miller, Charlotte NC, June 2008

 It all started when Bernie Brown, owner of the Visulite Theatre, offered Matt "Shorty" Miller an open date in July, with the idea of giving some local and regional acts greater visibility in the Visulite's first-class setting for live music.

 The idea was that Shorty, one of the hippest and hottest bluegrass pickers in town, would be a good guy to put together a showcase lineup for local roots music, something that Bernie would like to do on a regular basis, if the audience support can developed.

 Shorty himself was unavailable to play the initial date due to family obligations, but he enlisted musical pal Bill Noonan as a co-conspirator, and a line up for the July date was quickly established. And if Shorty couldn't be there in person to join in, he could at least lend his name to the proceedings, and thus, Shorty's Urban Honky Tonk Revue was confirmed and consecrated.

 The July 11 event puts the spotlight on high-caliber homegrown talent, showcasing three of the Charlotte area's top Americana acts:  the authentic and highly-danceable Cajun sound of Carolina Gator Gumbo, veteran Carolina roots rocker and tunesmith Bill Noonan, and hot new up-and-coming country rockers South85. Show time and ticket prices are both reasonable, to demonstrate that you don't have to travel far from home to find top-notch twang at a listener-friendly and affordable ticket price.

As per the plan we have been off the road more than on it in recent months, which is not to say we have just been staying home. Had a mighty fine little road trip up to Ohio back at the end of April, with more shows scattered here and there in the coming weeks and months. We are looking forward very much to the Blue Ridge BBQ and Music Festival in Tryon NC coming up in June. We'll be on the main stage on Saturday 6/14 from 12:45 - 2:00...this is an all-round great food and music festival...always a fine line up of talent...this year including our freinds Tater, also on the main stage later on Saturday. Speaking of Tater, had a real fine time last weekend hearing those boys open for Hayseed Dixie in Charlotte...that was a good 'un...and managed not to hurt ourselves too bad, even though we closed down the Thirsty Beaver afteward. But that's borderin' on too much information. Still working on that new CD, honest we are, now looking at late summer release, and I can promise a few musical surprises which I hope will make it worth the wait. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for us, and drop a line any old time. BN