Musicians

Alma Hesson
http://www.myspace.com/almahesson



Influenced by acoustic, folk rock, and southern rock, Alma Hesson is the first winner of the Lynchburg Star competition sponsored by Lynch's Landing.

The Almost Brothers Band with Lauren Smyk
http://www.almostbrosband.com/



The Almost Brothers Band with Lauren Smyk is one of the best variety bands in the area. If you want to hear everything from country to classic rock to blues to disco to funk, then this band is the one for you. Whether it is a party, wedding, or special function The Almost Brothers can provide the entertainment to make the night a memorable one.

Amber Leigh
MySpace | ReverbNation



Acoustic folk with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin and Paramore to Regina Spektor and Ella Fitzerald.

Bittersweet Rival
http://www.myspace.com/bittersweetrival



Bittersweet Rival was originally formed as Half-Empty in 2003 from a band jam in Halloween costumes. After a bassist change, the band was renamed as Almost Everything. After yet another bassist change, Bittersweet Rival was formed. Prior to BSR Brian was a member of Killing Jonas, Rumbleseat, and Happy Ending Machine. Melissa was a member of Tomato Love Apple. Now the band members are: Johnny Edwards on vocals and lead guitar, Chris Colbert on rhythm guitar, vocals, and keyboards, Brian Bosiger on drums and percussion, and Melissa Gill on bass.

Blake Reams
http://www.myspace.com/blakereams



It happened on a whim last October. Blake Reams quit his job in Russellville, Ark. and hitchhiked to Lynchburg. "This is home now," said the 21-year-old singer-songwriter during an interview at The White Hart, the downtown coffee shop where he works. "I just really like it. Something said 'Go.'" Reams is intense and soft-spoken with shaggy hair that almost covers his eyes. He was drawn to Lynchburg after spending four days here during a tour stop last fall. The city has proven a fertile backdrop for his music; he's written more than 20 songs since moving here, though he's only kept a handful. Lately, his music has been mellow and raw. His songs are infused with questions of faith and the search for truth.

Byron Massie
http://www.myspace.com/byronmassie



Born and raised in Nelson County, Virginia, Byron Massie has always loved music, but didn't start playing the guitar until he went off to college. Songwriting followed soon after. His songs have a more traditional country sound as he grew up on traditional country and bluegrass.

Eyes On Me! (previously The Fostered)
http://www.myspace.com/eyesonmeva



Change is good. After some name changes and line up changes, Eyes On Me members Kenny Galvacky and Scott Boyce have been busy re-creating and refining their sound.

FRAIL-T
http://www.myspace.com/frailt3



With metal influences, these are three brothers that rock.

Geoffrey Osborne
http://www.geoffreyosborne.com/



Geoffrey Osborne embodies the upbeat, atmospheric sound of The Killers infused with the crashing rock guitars of The Who.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Geoffrey Osborne began learning both piano and french horn at an early age, eventually dropping his classical training to teach himself guitar. After moving to Virginia he recorded and performed with several bands before joining fellow musician and friend Michael Chagnon on tour in 2007. While working on his bachelor's degree, Geoffrey worked for Longwood University's radio station as a DJ and coordinator of Bandfest - a big budget, high-publicity concert held every year. He has released a solo EP and currently spends his time writing and recording original music, and performs regularly.

The House Band
http://www.thehousebandofva.com/



The House Band is an 11 piece band that plays oldies R&B music - best known for playing music by Earth, Wind, and Fire - though the group has a large variety of music that it covers. Members of the groups ages are from different eras which add to versatility of group. Some members have played on cruise ships, while others have played with local gospel, jazz, and R&B groups.

John Sines, Jr.
http://www.johnsinesjr.com/



John can be found singing songs of faith, family and county at festivals, fairs, corporations, theatres, churches and other family friendly events! His live show consists of positive country music that sounds much like that of Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson and Randy Travis while rooted in the principles of gospel music.

Jus'Tone & Musicianism
http://www.justonemusicianism.com/



Jus'Tone Musicianism is a duo featuring Justin Schroder and Eric Hollandsworth. Justin's involvement with the local music scene has included live performances, sound & lighting work, and active involvement in various organizations supporting music and the arts. Eric also performs with the Sophistocats, Square Peg, the Great River Jazztet, the Tendencies, and the Lynchburg Symphony and Valley Chamber Orchestras.

Katie Daniel and the Phoenix Rising Band
http://www.myspace.com/PhoenixRisingATownVa



The goal of The Phoenix Rising Band (PRB) is to become your #1 choice for quality modern County, Rock, Pop and Classic covers in Virginia! The Phoenix Rising Band does not cover any vulgar music and we pride ourselves at promoting a clean, safe and musically entertaining show for all ages. The PRB is available for club shows, opening act shows for majior national acts, festival events as well as wedding receptions and private parties. Our set lists are customizeable for each show with our current set lists bringing forth about 4+ hours of musical entertainment! For additional information on booking please email the band at the below email address: PhoenixRising2009@Hotmail.com.

the late virginia summers
MySpace | ReverbNation



Having survived a handful of lineup changes, TLVS is currently a two piece that works with other artists from time to time. Sonically, the group plays off both the shoegazing bliss of the 90's & the ambient texture of 21st century post rock.

Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
http://www.lynchburgsymphony.com/

The McKenzies
http://www.mckenziemusic.com/



The McKenzies are first and foremost musical performers offering a wide variety of traditional, folk, and original music & dance. They play guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, octave mandolin, penny whistle, recorder, concertina, bodhran, limberjack and feet!

Michael Chagnon
http://www.michaelchagnon.com/



Imagine Rufus Wainwright singing Beatles melodies with the harder, but quirky edge of Weezer. Additional influences include Ozma, Beulah, and of Montreal.

In recent years he has released two studio albums, a compilation album, toured the East Coast extensively, performed live on ABC and CBS network affiliates and has had his music played nationally on MTV.

Mike Burstein
http://www.myspace.com/symr

Mike Burstein, originally from Philly, but a Lynchburg resident since 1984, has been teaching music professionally since 1986. He owns and operate a 16 track digital recording studio and has been playing guitar, bass, and drums for over 30 years. His goal is to help current and aspiring musicians develop their craft and passion for music. He has successfully taught hundreds of students, some of whom have gone on to become active professional musicians across the United Sates and abroad.

The Old Man Garage Band
http://www.theomgband.com/



A dynamic group, the OMG Band play every cool song from the 60s, 70s and 80s, as well as a few current popular songs. Their lead singer recently sang with Phil Vassar during a visit to Vassar's and the OMG Band's hometown of Lynchburg.

Paddy Dougherty
http://www.paddyd.com/



Paddy plays a mixture of jazz and blues. Tom Kimmel of Nashville writes, “Paddy Dougherty is as real a deal as they come. She doesn't have to work to pull you in; she just sings and you're already there because you can feel her heart in every song, and her voice is the voice of an angel, an angel who's lived a little, and knows what's going on.

Paul Brunett
http://www.paulbrunett.com/ | MySpace



Having shared the stage with such names as Kansas, The Temptations and The Ragamuffin Band, to name a few, Paul's music is just as widely diverse and broadly accepted, as it is familiarly personal. With a strong emphasis on the emotional attachment in music and song, he is the epitome of a songwriter's songwriter. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, you can definitely hear a progressive, percussive, soulful blend of jazz and folk in his music.

Paul Hermosa
http://www.paulhermosa.com/



Virginia native Paul Hermosa brings his unique brew of acoustic rock to every show. The personal nature of his concerts gives audiences the opportunity to experience Paul's lyrical and musical range on an intimate level. Incorporating jazz, funk and rock, Paul's style is instantly accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Point of Honor
http://www.pointofhonor.com/



Christian rockers that have had the privilege of sharing the stage with many independent and unsigned artists as well as major label artists including Disciple, Day of Fire, DecembeRadio, Nevertheless, War Of Ages, Oh Sleeper, Everyday Sunday, Head Automatica, and more.

Riddle on the Harp
http://www.riddleontheharp.com/



Riddle on the Harp is made up of three women from Bedford County, Virginia and formed when two next-door neighbors began learning traditional tunes from America and the British Isles. Riddle on the Harp perform with a variety of wind and string instruments such as harp, violin, bowed psaltery, guitar, flute, recorder, hammered dulcimer, and mandolin.

Ross Key Country
http://www.rosskeycountry.com/



Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Ross Key of Ross Key Country performs traditional country, bluegrass, blues, and gospel. Key is an established professional songwriter and vocalist, and incorporates his own material into his shows. Key possesses over 30 years experience, having traveled professionally in the country, bluegrass, and gospel circuits during that time. He re-embarked on his music career in early 2009.

The Ruckus!
http://www.myspace.com/theruckusva



The Ruckus has set a new precedent in Lynchburg and the surrounding area for what a cover band should be: skilled, eclectic, versatile, and most importantly, fun.

Sara Thompson
http://www.myspace.com/saramariethompson



A folk/blues musician and songwriter who, along with her husband, are looking to jump in to the scene here and begin playing out as much as possible.

Seafare (previously Amelia Jay)
http://www.myspace.com/sea-fare



Whimsical, melodic and indie; woven amidst dreamy lyrics and haunting female vocals... you will be whisked away into a lush, organic soundscape.

Shelly Marie & Reckless Aband'n
http://www.myspace.com/recklessabandn



The Piedmont area's next best variety cover band! Throwing caution to the wind, Shelly Tyree brings together multi-talents from around the area to form Shelly Marie & Reckless Aband'n!

Sick n' Tired
http://www.myspace.com/sickntiredband



Sick-N-Tired is a rock/dance/country band consisting of three experienced members that will keep you on the floor all night long!

SPÜKNOF
http://www.myspace.com/spuknof



Back in '78, Mark Carey (aka Nick So Schlecht aka Swagger) hooked up with Jamie Bates (aka The Eurasian Caucasian aka Fast Feet) to create the power house that you might remember as the Gruesome Twosome. Equipped with a fully biodegradable, nuclear-powered 321-string choir keytar, the duo tried to break new ground, but was tragically misunderstood by the anti-freedom movement of 1979. After battling severe drug addiction and gambling problems in the '80s and '90s, the new millennium brought new hope for the band that had always been ahead of its time. Picking up bass player Marcus Haggins aka Karcus DuBois, a French revolutionary, the band adopted the name SPÜKNOF (stolen from an all girl German band that wasn't using it to its fullest potential). So, here they are all matured and even sexier than ever.

Starline Drive
http://www.myspace.com/starlinedrive



Acoustic americana with a deep affection for roots music.

Steal The Prize
http://www.myspace.com/stealtheprize



Steal The Prize was chosen as one of the best rock bands in Lynchburg by readers of The Burg.

Square Peg
http://www.myspace.com/squarepegmusic



Jeremy, Andy and Daniel all reside in Lynchburg VA, but all come from ELSEWHERE. Jeremy repairs musical instruments, teaches a little, and gigs even less: in another time and place he would probably be employed in a scriptorium copying Duns Scotus. Andy is a piano restorer/tuner and supplements this dying art by gigging with too many bands. He is currently trying to make his Mercedes run on used fryer oil. Daniel teaches and plays violin and viola, cultivates a refulgent English accent, and looks like Picasso, (but nicer), if you squint a little...

T-Bird & The Kidd
http://www.reverbnation.com/tbirdthekidd



This duo consists of two guys that have been close friends for over 20 years. T-Bird (Jeremy Fretwell) and The Kidd (Pete Turpin) are an exciting couple of guys who bring a lot to the table. Fretwell is an exciting guitar player with a lot of aggressiveness as well as good vocals. Pete has a unique high velocity harmonica style and raspy vocals; he also plays rhythm guitar on songs he's not playin' harp on. These guys touch all genres of music from Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Howlin Wolf, and the list goes on. Both of these men are singer/songwriter's, but you can find some of Pete's originals on their website. Personality, high energy, and good performance is what these guys bring to the stage so be sure to check them out if they are in your area. With Pete's spontaneous, over-the-top energy level, there's never a dull moment.

virgineola
http://www.reverbnation.com/virgineola



Originally conceived as the solo project of Nathan McGlothlin (a new dawn fades, the late virginia summers), "virgineola" has matured into an entirely independent entity. 2008 saw McGlothlin write the score to a locally produced art installation, then put together a group that could perform the score. Many of those initial musicians are what comprises virgineola in its current incarnation.