WV Sound
Keeping a beat in the Mountain State
Summer 2011
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09/13/11Musician Soldier Gary Bonnett Gets Back to WritingGary Bonnett first picked up the guitar as a teenager and spent many years finding his voice. The Rock Cave native, who recently returned home from a stint with the Air National Guard in Afghanistan, found he wanted to pursue an old-time, country music feel—the style he was brought up around. Posted at 09:27 AM Comments |
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09/08/11The Empty Glass Celebrates 26 YearsThis year, one of West Virginia’s most renowned underground music venues celebrates 26 years in the business—The Empty Glass on Charleston’s historically diverse East End. To mark the occasion, musical acts such as Justin Townes Earle, Gov’t Mule, Joss Stone, Davisson Brothers Band, Donna the Buffalo, and Jesco White will help The Empty Glass celebrate. And for the actual anniversary weekend on September 9 and 10, two heavy-hitter acts will ring in the new year at The Empty Glass—Red Wanting Blue from Columbus, Ohio, on Friday night; and Duke Jr and the Smokey Boots from Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, which will also be the unofficial after-party for the Chucktown Shutdown Roller Derby Matches! The Empty Glass features live music and events seven days a... Posted at 08:33 AM Comments |
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08/31/11The OvercoatIn April, the sounds of The Overcoat first hit the Web in the form of an eight-song, self-titled effort that challenged simplistic labels like the all-inclusive “indie” moniker. The culprits: Andrew Slater, Pete Wilmoth, and Sam Wilmoth—three-fourths of FOX Japan, a Morgantown-based rock outfit headed by yet another Wilmoth sibling, Charlie. With a penchant for the narrative, the trio brings a sound separate from its peers in the Mountain State, complete with haunting percussion, baritone guitar, bass, and keys in their live incarnation. The album also features Charlie playing viola and violin. Slater says the songwriting process has been both deliberate and interesting. Posted at 09:20 AM Comments |
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08/26/11The Demon BeatThe Demon Beat: three cute boys playing rock ‘n’ roll music. Adam Meisterhans (guitar, lead vocals), Tucker Riggleman (bass), and Jordan Hudkins (drums) comprise this rock trio that hails from the historic little town of Shepherdstown. But they are much more than cute boys with instruments. They are a rock ‘n’ roll force to be reckoned with. Posted at 03:18 PM Comments |
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08/18/11Memories of MusicAs a child growing up in Clay County, I was surrounded by music. If you follow Appalachian music, you’ve probably have heard of John and David Morris—The Morris Brothers. John was my uncle. In the late ’60s and ’70s he was married to my father’s sister, Dee Braley. There wasn’t an instrument they couldn’t play. Posted at 01:25 PM Comments |
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08/09/11The Purple FiddleLocated on Front Street in historic Thomas, The Purple Fiddle offers good coffee, a varied and healthy deli menu, local brews, and live Appalachian-based acoustic music. Posted at 10:55 AM Comments |
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08/03/11The Sounds of The Greenbrier ClassicGreenbrier County was invaded last weekend with golf and music fanatics alike as part of The Greenbrier Classic. I was lucky enough to be one of the thousands of people in the crowd. The Greenbrier Concert Series has become a highlight in an already exciting PGA tournament weekend. Even 2011 Greenbrier Classic winner Scott Stallings attended the eclectic music series with his wife on Saturday—the night before he won the title. The concerts kicked off with country music artists Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan on Thursday night. Fans, including myself, packed the West Virginia State Fair grounds for the show. After an energizing performance by Bryan, McGraw took the stage and brought the crowd to its feet, despite having a broken foot himself. He wowed fans with a... Posted at 03:51 PM Comments |
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08/03/11Music to Our EarsMusic is an important part of our heritage, but the Mountain State is not just a haven for bluegrass and country. I remember when I first realized how truly diverse music is in this region—way back in high school. Almost as soon as I got my driver’s license, I was hitting the road to check out concerts big and small. My friends and I quickly became regulars at 123 Pleasant Street—a small Morgantown music dive popular with local, regional, and indie acts. We still visit this and other music hot spots around the state, and we love coming across new bands. There’s so much music in West Virginia—so many bands under the radar and so many that actually get picked up by music labels, tour the U.S., and even make a little money. Mega-stars have come out of... Posted at 01:38 PM Comments |
