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Going Coastal for Our Local Grooves and Jams


E-Squared The Band Debuted at Tap That New Bern



E Squared The Band is husband, Evan Goudey, guitar and vocals, and wife, Erica Goudey, keyboard, and vocals, fronted band that the duo fired up about a year ago. They are up and coming on our scene and given their youth, it’s always refreshing to run across such enthusiastic talent.


”This particular rotation has only been together for a month. That was our first show with this drummer,” Goudey said. That drummer is quite a familiar name here. Keeping the beats for the eclectic quartet is Mike Ferrara. And rounding out the rhythm section is bass player, Eric Pittman.


When I asked about the future, Goudey said the band is interested in playing more festivals and larger community events, they would also like to be considered for weddings and other private party celebrations. Another thing he noted is that they would like to play The E Club, given their name, so I’m hoping by throwing that out there we can make that dream happen.



The band has been building their following and setting goals for the future. Given that, I would keep an eye on them. It’s always a treat to watch young talent evolve. The band has a few originals but plans to develop more with time. Hoping for a release soon, they’d like their fans to have an EP to stream that includes a few covers and some originals.


I Need You is one of their originals now on all streaming platforms. Stream it today.



For friends and fans who missed the band while in town, fear not they will be back next month for a band battle with Packhouse. That event will go down at The Star Gallery, New Bern, NC on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Please support the $10 music charge.

 

Speaking of Tap That, New Bern



Many might recall the establishment closed its doors in the last quarter of 2023. When they locked up last year, they left a window of opportunity open for some familiar faces in town. Fast forward to the end of the first quarter of 2024, the establishment rebranded under the already familiar name and the same owners, but the renewed management team of popular bar manager John Morgan and award-winning chef Joshua Storts, plus their mighty staff.


When I reached out to the bar owner and manager of Morgan’s Pub in Havelock, John Morgan said “We want to bring a quality product at a fair price to the good people of New Bern, with some entertainment such as line dancing, karaoke, trivia, and music trivia, a poker league (points not cash), and cornhole tournaments. We also provide our venue for any celebration at fair value.”


When I asked what people can expect each week he told me “Jeep event is first Sunday of every month, with poker and cornhole every Sunday. Music trivia is on Tuesdays, Traditional trivia will be on Wednesdays, Line dancing is each Thursday from 7-9 PM, Karaoke Fridays are 7-11 PM, and live music special events are on Saturday.”


Knowing that Storts and Morgan have a long history, I asked John what he is most happy to see on a menu in town, he mentioned just a few, “Sashimi grade yellowfin tuna tacos, brisket tacos, crab cake sandwich, best biggest burgers around, fries that don’t go soggy, made in house dips from spinach dip to crab dip. Fresh salads with our own twists.”


Tonight on stage will be Southern, Country, Rock Rebels, Smokehouse. The music starts at 7 PM.

Before letting him go I also asked if he had any music coming to his place in Havelock. On the docket for Morgan’s Pub is Bridge to Breakdown next Saturday, May 18, 2024

 

BIG NEWS From The Beermuda Triangle


It dawned on me that the reopening of Tap That, means that the Beermuda Triangle is back in full swing for New Bernians. When I drove by Brewery 99 on Friday morning I saw Pete Frey sitting outside with a couple of sweet ladies. Turns out, he was keeping company with the founders of the Plein Air Arts Festival, a trifecta arts event is Sunday, May 12-19, 2024 across three cities; New Bern, Oriental, and Beaufort NC.

New Bern Magazine has devoted half of the publication this month to the festival, so I encourage you to read the link above for all the information on the French featured art and artisans. Though the festival incorporated a couple of music acts this year and hoping to include more next year. One of the acts that you can enjoy during the Festival in New Bern is the See, Sip, and Sing event with Voices Carry on Tuesday


Frey has been a busy bee since getting his brewery business started many moons ago in a back alley off Broad and Hancock Sts. Now located on Pollock St. The brewery is also a coffee shop and a bakery. I enjoyed a cup of joe and cinnamon bun on Friday when I was there. Everything was fresh, tasty, and good. They send out a monthly newsletter and you can sign up from their website


Frey has become a staple to the New Bern community that he loves and welcomes everyone to come by and see what’s brewing!

 

Smokehouse in the Garden



Interestingly enough I caught Smokehouse for a few songs last weekend as they were wrapping up their gig at Carolina Home and Garden. I made it in time for their final two songs. I rocked out with some Eagles as I walked in and they capped that off with some “Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.



Fun time friends and rockers, Smokehouse has been on the New Bern scene for years and was founded by John Parker who played bass, sang, and ran sound. Since I was last running around the scene, JP has stepped away from the bass-playing responsibilities for the band and passed that torch to colleague and friend, James Mattei, while he turns his focus to the production company. If you’re around the Bear City tonight, please stop in Tap That and meet all the boys in the band.


Along with “Jimmy the Bass Player” you will get to know Dennis Albertson, lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Darryl Russell, lead guitar, Rodger Russell Jr., guitar and support vocals, and lastly, Ray Rouse on drums and backing vocals.


 

There’s No Crime Being Committed In Petty Larceny



My sweet friend, Cindi Kanipe invited me out to Gaffer’s in Emerald Isle last Sunday, May 5, 2024, to meet her talented friends and rockers Petty Larceny a tribute band covering the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.


What a fun experience it was on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The crowd was moving and grooving all around them and the spirits were high. The band brings a good mix of seasoned players who played well off of each other so to deliver the best experience for the audience.



A few of the players have a long-running history together and I look forward to telling you more about that before the band’s return to the popular Emerald Isle restaurant. Another thing I loved is they played more than the band’s popular hits. Their set list consists of well-known songs and B-side gems, those you won’t hear on the radio.




If you missed them the last time; save the date, because they will be back at Gaffer’s, on Saturday, August 17, 2024.



For those who have not been there, this coastal Carolina restaurant offers delicious food, and good service, plus they support live music several nights a week throughout the season. You can find all of their events on Facebook. Be sure to come out soon and support live music soon.

 

A Glance at The Calendar



One of the features I like about this site is the calendar of events which I placed in the footer of this site. I use Facebook and email invitations to build this calendar. I click interested on the Facebook event and then add it to my Google Calendar and sometimes I create events based on emails from various groups. Depending upon the location of the event will depend on the color it is assigned. RED events are located in New Bern, NC. BLUE events are located along the Crystal Coast and throughout the plains region of North Carolina. YELLOW events highlight the Piedmont Region. That is also where many big cities, including Raliegh, Durham, and Charlotte are located. The GRAY area covers the westernmost regions of the state.


I welcome all bands and venues throughout the state to share their events with me on Facebook, ncmz.live and you may also send your info to my email; tracey.stones.writer@gmail.com.


Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed what you’ve read please sign up for music updates below the calendar.


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