Isaac Hadden is a young, genre-smashing guitarist and vocalist from Southwest, VA, currently based in Asheville, NC. He is gaining attention for his passion and talent, and building a supportive fanbase in the United States and abroad. He has played alongside some of the hottest acts on the music festival circuit and performed supporting sets for a growing list of legendary guitarists. He fronts the Isaac Hadden Project, an improvisational jazz-infused funk-rock group comprised of seasoned professionals from Southwest, VA as well as Isaac Hadden Organ trio, an unconventional jazz-funk group that features powerhouse musicians from western NC. He also performs regular solo acoustic shows, making use of live looping and a unique approach to the acoustic guitar. With over a decade of musical experience, his fresh, high-energy performances routinely leave audiences clamoring for more.

LIVE - featuring Annalyse Marie, Cassandra Lynn, and Charissa Joy!

Paul Tressel | Beats, Brews & Buddies | S2 EP22

“Momma said, I was singing before I was talking.” Terry Brown is a singer who comes to Roanoke Valley from Wilmington. DE. He came to Roanoke to pastor a small in 1986. Terry studied voice at Delaware State University and musical theater from the University of Delaware respectively. Although Terry studied classical voice in college, he grew up singing mainly R&B, Jazz, Show Tunes and Choral music. Terry has had the privilege to perform with some of the finest musicians in Delaware and the Roanoke Valley area. He is the former, male lead singer for the Sway Katz Big Band, and is the current lead singer for The Kings Band. Terry is also the co-founder and lead singer of the now defunct band “The Fire,” as well as The Terry Brown Ascension Project. The brand of music is an eclectic mix of Jazz, Blues, R&B, & Classic Rock with variation – a fusion blend.

NEW EPISIODE ALERT featuring 2 Dollar Shake (Sam Nash & Jason Hill)

Cory Schmitt earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2012 from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. While at JMU, Cory played trumpet and cornet in numerous ensembles, and was also the Drum Major for the 450-member Marching Royal Dukes. In 2014, Cory earned his Masters Degree in Wind Band Conducting and Trumpet Performance at the University of Northern Iowa, where he conducted the UNI Pep Band and UNI Concert Band, and played lead trumpet in the award winning UNI Jazz Band One. In 2014, Cory began an 8-year career as the Director of Bands at Forest City, Iowa as High School and Middle School Band Director. Under Cory’s direction, the FCHS Concert and Marching Band grew from 58 to 120 members. His ensembles earned numerous superior ratings and first place finishes at state-level events, as well In 2017, Cory joined the music staff at Waldorf University, where he assumed the role of Director of Wind Symphony as well as Adjunct Professor of Music. In his current position as a DMA Wind Conducting student and Teaching Assistant for the University of Iowa bands, Cory serves as the conductor of University Band and assists with the Hawkeye Marching Band and Iowa Pep Band. He is also in his second year as the Director of the Iowa City New Horizons Band, a group of retirees over the age of 55. 

Andy & Abbey Neikirk are Roanoke natives and newlyweds. They met at Journey church when Andy joined the church’s band. While Abbey has primarily played music at church, Andy has been in bands like AM Avenue, Rutledge, Long Story Short and was a founding member of the Jerry Wimmer Trio. Andy plays guitar, bass, and is a vocalist. In part with playing music, Andy has gotten into live and studio audio engineering, in part mixing the songs for the online church service. Abbey sings and plays a bit of piano. They have recently started a band together called The Blend and are excited to play more music together.

Corey Hunley is a natural-born entertainer, just a guy passing through life with a guitar in his hand and a song in his head. He has been fortunate enough to share the stage with renowned musicians like Marty Stuart, Darrell Scott, Will Hoge, John Hiatt, Paul Thorn, Colbie Caillat, Uncle Kracker, and a few other cool folks. As a singer-songwriter, Corey possesses the ability to captivate his audience. He's not only a good singer but also a helluva songwriter and an all-around fine guitarist. Corey's music has a way of making you want to drink harder, love stronger, and live longer.

Sandra Aranegui launched Lover’s Rock Productions and Smith Mountain Lake Live Music (a DBA of Lover’s Rock Productions, a not-for-profit booking and promoting business) in September 2021, focusing on community events and festivals involving live music. She books musical talent for a total of 18 different restaurants, bars and breweries, and offers a weekly listing of live music and community events for the area. She launched the first annual Smith Mountain Lake Live Music Festival with Center in the Square as a beneficiary, a huge success with a combined 32 bands, eight total stages and five additional satellite venues. She works closely with Franklin County, the Town of Rocky Mount, CruisIn Rocky Mount and local business owners to coordinate music events for everyone. She is currently working on forming her own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called “Live Music Lives On,” focusing on fostering the love for live music in children to promote and inspire our youth to follow their dreams of performing live music, bringing together current performing musicians and children and more. “[Music] has the ability to bring joy to someone who has had a hard week. It has the ability to form bonds in friendships and love. It’s really a remarkable thing to witness,” she says.

JD Sutphin is a father, husband, musician and business owner from southwest Virginia.  Born in Botetourt County he finished out school in Franklin County where after graduation became an on air personality at WROV-FM in Roanoke as well as XL102 in Richmond while fronting the hard rock metal band, Madrone. 

For over ten years, Madrone toured throughout the East coast eventually gained nationwide support with their top 50 Billboard single “Daybreak” as well as charting with the follow up single “House of Ghosts".  

In 2014 JD left WROV and radio to create Big Lick Entertainment, an events and marketing company.  The company created Big Lick Comic Con in 2017, the most attended comic convention in Virginia.

JD put a pause on Madrone in 2015 creating the band The Low Low Chariot in the country and alt-rock world, who continues to perform and create to this day.  

JD is also co-owner of Big Lick Comics in Roanoke with his brother Adam.