Above Ray Wag and Jake Sutton are serenading the folks at Snappers Grill & Steam Bar of Emerald Isle on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Jake Sutton and Ray Wag have gained popularity as an acoustic duo known for their live performances. They play various music and have a reputation for bringing a fantastic crowd. They've performed regularly at multiple venues around the region, including AJ McMurphy's in Greenville, NC, Captain Ratty's in New Bern, Bogue Sound Distillery in Bogue Sound, NC, and our Crystal Coast.
As noted in the ad I found on Wag's Facebook page shared above, the duo just finished a residency in Morehead City for The Big Rock Tournament Week. They played four popular music venues this week. Tonight, the duo are heading back to the area I saw them two weeks ago. Emerald Isle is always a great place to hang out. You and your friends can catch them at the E Club tonight, sharing songs from 7-10 pm. Inside Steel County Express keeps the fun rolling along until the last call. On Sunday, Jake and Ray wrap up a week at the beach, bringing the fun at 3 pm to the Tacklebox Tavern in Atlantic Beach.
Jake Sutton's YouTube offers a taste of the music they create. The duo not only plays various well-known songs but also writes music. While I was searching things out on the band, I found this wonderfully informative sit-down interview that The Magician and the Jock did with Ray Wag. The one part of the interview that got my attention was when Wag mentioned going to Camden County, NJ, to be a teacher. Just saying the words Camden, NJ, would inspire me to pick up the guitar and return to NC. I wonder if the Cotton Club is still there.
Lucky for NC, they are here and entertaining us each weekend. Head out and support them soon.
Dakota Blue Live in EI
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Dakota Blue brought the show to Snapperz.
I passed by on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and enjoyed the sounds of Dakota Blue on the patio. I have not seen this band since, maybe 2017 or 2018, when they rocked the Neuse River BBQ Fest in Kinston. Their website states, "Dakota Blue is an Eastern North Carolina Country/Southern Rock band. Dakota Blue is a Bad JeuJeu recording artist and is out on all streaming platforms. Country and Rock roots heavily influence the band, but it also likes to add Pop and Blues to its sound."
The night I saw the band on the patio, it was Al Beaman on vocals and guitar, Tommy Warren on rhythm guitar and supporting vocals, Phillip Austin on bass and vocals, Eddie Markham on lead guitar, and Mark Wyman on drums.
While I was on the patio, they offered an original song during their first set. The song was recorded but never released. This song spoke to the core of my American heart. The “Flag Song” speaks truth as it bleeds for the red, white, and blue.
The Southern Rock and Country band plays all over the state but will return to the Emerald Isle area tomorrow to kick off the weekend. Be sure to catch them yourselves on Friday at 77 West. The party kicks off at 8:30 p.m. They return to Snapperz to rock the patio on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
Patrick G. Smith Live a Billfish Coastal Grill & Bar
I stopped by Billfish Coastal Grill & Bar, where I enjoyed sampling some sounds by Patrick G. Smith Music. He is a solo acoustic actor who “performs fun music for fun people” around the Craven, Carteret, and Pamlico counties. I found this excellent YouTube selection for his style and sound sample.
The stringer and singer will return to Billfish Coastal Grill & Bar on Indian Beach on Sunday, June 16, 2024, for Father's Day. This means we have great options for taking Dad out this weekend to relax and enjoy the afternoon with fantastic food and fun music. To keep up with his schedule, look for him on Reverbnation by clicking on his name above or scanning the code below.
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Southern Hellcats Burning Up the Festival Circuit and Rocking the Beach Scene
The Southern Hellcats are going to help us through the weekend. I caught up with the rockabilly quartet last Saturday night when they were performing at the Willy Nilly Warehouse stage.
These guys are so much fun. They have a few family-friendly dates on their calendars. They will also play many venues along the coast that offer dinner and drinks and a few fun festivals coming up. Be sure to check their website often for their dates and band announcements. Tonight, the band will be rocking the Bogue Sound Distillery, and Pony Up Pizza is serving the goodies. Music starts at 7 p.m. After kicking the Blueberry Fest into overdrive tomorrow morning, you can catch up with the boys on the patio rocking Snapperz Grill and Steam Bar in Emerald Isle. They share songs from 7-10 pm. Keep reading to find out what other place you can catch them this Summer.
A Look Ahead At Some Up and Coming Fun for All Events
Bridgeton Blueberry Festival
Tomorrow is the Bridgeton Blueberry Festival at Vernon Blades Park, 901 B Street, Bridgeton, NC. Some of the off at the park will include 70 or more vendors, a bake-off competition, a dunk tank, a waterslide, Antique and Race Cars, a beekeeping exhibit, a petting zoo, a helicopter exhibit, a beer garden featuring a Belgium blueberry ale brewed fresh and being served by Pete Frey and Brewery 99, and of course, they will have some local live music. The bake-off and music kick off at 11 am.
Music starts at 11 AM with the Oriental-based rockabilly quartet Southern Hellcats, who will get the music started with their rockabilly grooves. Following their set, Bag End Band will play an acoustic set, and local stinger Tommy Duzan will close out the day.
SiloPalooza 2024
Next weekend marks the 11th Annual SilosPalooza Music Festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. "This year's festival brings several new bands to our stage," said festival organizer and host Chris Daniels. Gates open at 2 p.m., and the music starts at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Bring chairs, blankets, bug spray, sunblock, but leave the coolers and dogs at home.
The Stagger Brothers; Jimmy, Jeter, Jeb Moe, and Jagger - hail from the backwoods of NC's Orange and Pamlico Counties and play eclectic Americana roots music with an Afro-Caribbean twist, just like their daddy and mamas taught them. These brothers have been making music since 201 9with, mostly doing impromptu gigs at local bars, breweries, and parties in the Chapel Hill/Durham area when the wind blows right. You won't want to miss their debut on this stage.
The Stagger Brothers feature Jimmy (alias Bryan Gibson) on guitar and vocals, Jeter (aka Shawn Aldridge) on guitar, lap steel, harmonica, and vocals, Jeb Moe (alias Richard Tazewell) on keyboards and vocals, and Jagger (aka David Shore) on drums.
The Staggers are very excited and honored to have as their extraordinary guest sitting in on some tunes during their SilosPalooza set, Mr. Bernard Purdie, one of the most recorded session drummers in history and 2013 inductee into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame!
Next up is the classic rock quartet from Carteret County, Heart Stop. Dan Brenenstuhl rocks the lead guitar and vocals, Mike Cofone, drums, Lee Butt offers lead vocals, guitar, saxophones, and keyboards, and AJ Busenbark, bass and vocals. They bring the fun rock that gets the crowd up and dancing to the popular songs we all know. They keep a busy calendar playing the Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico County circuit, sharing tunes that keep blood flowing and feet moving. They will have you moving and grooving in the grass to the famous and familiar songs that get the blood pumping. Be sure to check out their debut here at 5 PM.
Lua Flora has appeared at Ol Front Porch Festival, but this is their first time headlining at the Red Rooster Music Pavilion. This Asheville-based band has created a unique sound by blending many different music traditions. According to their bio, they consider their music genre to be "Beach Folk," which fuses Caribbean, Eastern, and American music. This innovative mix results in a sound that's both easy to listen to and deeply reflective, perfect for a wide range of listening experiences, from relaxing on the beach to exploring the mountains of Appalachia. The band was formed by songwriter Evan Button, whose passions and lyrics are at the core of Lua Flora Music. We are excited to welcome them back to Oriental and feature them on our stage.
Closing out the fun day of North Carolina, grown music will be the hometown favorites, Southern Hellcats, offering the rockabilly beats that will have you on your feet. Blending the beats for this band are Connor Daniels on sax and backing vocals, Jake Ross on the drums, Mike Sandvig plays bass and offers supporting vocals, and leading the litter are guitarist and lead vocalist and event host Chris Daniels. The band was formed about four years ago. This is the second summer season with all players on deck. They have so much fun playing music that the crowd can't help to take part and dance.