Some venues are simply rooms where an event happens. Others become an important part of the event itself. The Grande Dunes Ocean Club belongs firmly in the second category. I recently had the opportunity to perform there for an 80th birthday celebration. Although I was hired to provide the music, I quickly realized that […]
Every once in a while, a gig comes along that reminds me why I still love live music after all these years. Not because everything went perfectly, and not because it was the biggest or highest-paying event imaginable, but because something genuinely unique happened musically and socially that probably could not have been planned out in […]
I was recently honored to be featured in South Carolina Voyager, where I had the opportunity to talk about my work as a guitarist, educator, bandleader, and creative musician here in Myrtle Beach. Whenever something like that happens, people naturally tend to focus on the visible side of a musical career: the performances, the bands, […]
When people think about community events, they often picture something pleasant—but forgettable. A few tables, maybe a food truck or two, background music that blends into the noise, and people drifting in and out without much connection to what’s happening. But every once in a while, you experience an event that feels different. The kind […]
As a wedding musician, I have the opportunity to perform in many different venues throughout the Carolinas. Every wedding is unique, every couple is different, and every venue brings its own atmosphere to the celebration. Recently I had the pleasure of performing at a wedding rehearsal dinner at Events on Front in downtown Wilmington, North […]
When most people think about live music at a public event, they tend to think of it as atmosphere. Music fills silence, creates mood, adds energy, and gives people something pleasant to hear while they shop, eat, or move through a public space. Those are all valid roles for live music, but I have […]
As a musician, I spend a lot of time evaluating venues from angles most guests probably never think about. How does the staff treat people? Is management organized? Does the atmosphere make people want to stay longer? Does the venue create an environment where events actually feel enjoyable? Is the layout functional? Does the place […]
This past weekend, I had the privilege of providing live music for a fundraiser benefiting the Grand Strand Down Syndrome Society, held at Beachfront Kitchen & Bar in Myrtle Beach. On the surface, it might seem like a fairly straightforward event: live music, a crowd of supporters, a beachfront venue, and a worthy cause. But […]
A couple days ago marked six months since my wife and I officially moved to the Myrtle Beach area, and I found myself reflecting on how much has changed during that relatively short period of time. In some ways, it feels like we just arrived. In other ways, it feels like I’ve lived an entirely […]
When couples start planning their wedding weekend in Charleston, one of the first questions that comes up is where to host the rehearsal dinner. It’s easy to treat that night as a formality. A quick dinner, a few toasts, and then on to the main event the next day. But the truth is, the rehearsal […]