Musicians

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



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.

Billy Berger
http://www.reverbnation.com/billyberger



Billy Berger... Drummer, mandolinist, guitarist, bassist songwriter. Billy plays Americana with World flavers, Jazz, Bluegrass, Blues, Rock, Swing, Funk, Folk, Latin and Afro-Cuban.

In a sense Billy is a "one man band" Using loop technology Billy loops rhythms live using electric bass, guitar, and percussion, instuments then builds on the rhythm with guitar mandolin and vocals creating a full band sound as a solo performer.

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.

Dixie Ridge
http://www.dixieridgebluegrass.com/



Dixie Ridge was formed in the winter of 2010 by the husband and wife duo of Adam and Amanda Clifton. Both have always loved playing and singing bluegrass music. Amanda has been singing since a very young age and her powerful lead vocals are without a doubt the foundation of the group. Adam serves as the bass player for the group and is also Dixie Ridge's bandleader and manager.

Eyes On Me
http://www.facebook.com/123eyesonme



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.

FMG (Future Musical Genius)
http://www.facebook.com/futuremusicalgenius



Starkey and Craig created FMG as an acoustic duo with the intention of spreading their originals throughout the Lynchburg area. FMG or Future Musical Genius (a.k.a. The Future), has played with various artists around the Lynchburg area. They play a little bit of everything with originals inspired by such artists as: Weezer, White Stripes and Dave Matthews Band. You can regularly catch the Future at Neighbor's Place, Benjamin's Restaurant, Corner Cafe, Shaker's Restaurant as well as The Stoney Badger Tavern, where they've quickly become the location's house band. Come see The Future today!

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



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.

He is now working full-time on Mercutio with fellow Lynchburg musician Michael Chagnon and has completed over 100 performances in 2011.

The House Band of VA
http://www.housebandofva.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.

Jed Mickle's miniature GIANTS
http://www.jedmickle.com/music



An all-original acoustic, pop, and rock band led by Jed Mickle.

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.

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!

Mercutio
http://www.mercutiomusic.com/



Mercutio is Michael Chagnon and Geoffrey Osborne - an acoustic duo based out of Lynchburg, Virginia. Imagine Beatles melodies and harmonies with the energetic and quirky edge of Weezer. Additional influences include The Everly Brothers, The Who, The White Stripes, and The Avett Brothers. With over 140 performances in 2011 and the release of a new EP they are one of the hardest working acts in Virginia.

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



Michael has released two (now out-of-print) albums with his previous band "Escape Velocity" and one compilation album featuring the best of his previously released work. He has toured the east coast extensively and performed live on ABC and CBS network affiliates in addition to having his music played nationally on MTV. Before becoming a full-time musician Michael wrote weekly music reviews for The Burg under Media General and worked at Clear Channel Radio in the Lynchburg and Roanoke markets.

He is now working full-time on Mercutio with fellow Lynchburg musician Geoffrey Osborne and has completed over 100 performances in 2011.

Mike Burstein
http://shalomyallmusic.com/

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.

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.

The Ruckus!
http://www.theruckusmusic.com/



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.

Rugby
http://www.facebook.com/Rugbymusic



A drums and piano duo from Lynchburg VA who's influences include: Deerhoof and the Bad Plus. Some have called there music Art Damaged Pop but the truth is that their music defies characterization. Because there goal is not to create the sounds of a genre but to express new textures and ideas that aren't bound by a cookie cutter.

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!

Singleside
Facebook | ReverbNation



Singleside is a Lynchburg-based Christian Rock band. Singleside is currently in the studio working on their very first album. If you enjoy great rock music with a christian message then check them out.

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.starlinedrive.net



Acoustic americana with a deep affection for roots music.

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



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

Square Peg




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...

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.

Vokal Fuzion Band
http://www.vokalfuzion.com/



The very best of classic and contemporary rock, pop, country, R&B, and dance music.