Beats, Brews & Buddies

CHRIS KEATON is a 30 year Voting Member of the Recording Academy based in Nashville.  He is an award winning music publisher, management consultant and a member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame (Band of Oz, 2016).  He manages rock act Emblem 3. His song plugging for his clients has resulted in songs being recorded by George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Brook and Dunn, Lonestar, Reba ,Cliff Richard and others.He is also an author (DAPPER, Confidence On The Fly), speaker and a member of the Macy's Celebrations Team for the retail giant.

Born Justin Brownlee Tolley in Central VA April 6, 1974, Justin took in a variety of early music influences from an early age including classic rock, R&B, funk and classic country and Americana genres to eventually learn piano, trombone & bass guitar and navigate his unique path and career in music.

He has arranged & written in Virginia original bands including RedLightGo 97-99 (Lexington), Mafia Track Suit 09-12 (Roanoke), while hustling the cover band circuit for 13 years with the Worx. When not booked with the Worx, always eager to meet players and play with Roanoke valley bands. With the Worx, he opened for bands including: Keith Urban, Tracy Lawrence, Trace Adkins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, to name a few. Always a proponent of moving the Roanoke scene forward, he spent the early 2000s at downtown haunts like Green Dolphin’s open mic, Martin’s, Blue5, 202, Awfuls - always up to hang and support members of the Roanoke music scene. 

His move to Nashville in early 2015 continued an ever-changing career path, connecting with Jon Wysocki former drummer of Staind to make music together. Lower Broadway & midtown became the grind and networking hub amidst one of the richest musician pools on the planet. Writing, recording and touring with Jon behind Natalie Brady Band (see FB and YouTube), then following the restart of the Covid lockdown, bassist of original rock act River Ghost. (found on all streaming platforms) During his 7+ years in Nashville, he primarily toured the midwest from the Gulf up to Minneapolis, Kansas City to Key West from 2015-2019 with multiple bands. One of his favorite tours as bass player for upcoming artist Kasey Tyndall, opening for Whiskey Myers & Jamey Johnson - both huge musical influences.

Moving on from the Natalie Brady Band post Covid shutdown, he headed back to Nashville and through a shared reference met up with River Ghost, all original bluesy/ swampy-rock band akin to Crowes/ Allman/ Sabbath ..  The remaining two years in Nashville was spent writing, showcasing and recording River Ghost material, while juggling steady shifts with “Loud & Co”, bending the rules with tired setlist at a time in and around Nashville, mostly in the Lower Broadway scene. Upon meeting Belgium native Kathleen Ongena in Nashville, they formed 369 Music, a Rock cover band putting hand-selected players together to gig around Nashville. 

Eventually the need to relocate to Virginia came to bear since losing his father to a stroke in 2019. The decision was made in fall 2022 to return home to take care of the home place in Natural Bridge Station. Justin and Kat set up 369 Music gigs in Virginia, enlisting players in the area to round out the lineup.  Follow on FB at 369 Music.

Now residing in Natural Bridge Station, Justin still pursues music when the gigs present themselves, as well as aviation - working toward his pilot license. And like the Nashville scene, willing to jump in when bands are in need of bass in the area. ‘369 Music’, is currently putting together a press kit to promote bookings, also dates on his books playing for local Kid Rock tribute act “Cowboy”.

Dylan Dent is a singer/songwriter, rapper, and producer. Throughout his 7 projects (with an 8th and 9th on the way) his music has crossed many genres. But he spends most of his time trying to find new angles on rap and pop music. The one thing that remains consistent is the strong theme of introspection in his songwriting. With everything he creates he hopes to add value to the lives of those experiencing his art.

I was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley. Mom is a classical pianist and was the music director at church and dad sang and played guitar so music was a big part of life from a young age. Started playing trumpet and guitar in middle school but the drum kit was always intriguing to me. When our church switched from hymns to “praise music” we needed a drummer. My parents bought me a drum kit and signed me up for lessons with Jeremy at the fret mill. I was hooked right away! 

I studied music at college and since then have made at least a partial living through music at almost every point in my life. Around 2010-2011 I started gigging as a side man on the music scene in Roanoke and have been blessed to play with over a dozen local groups including the Ministers of Soul, Welcome to Hoonah, The Jesse Ray Carter Trio, Cory Campbell, the Big Lick Brass Band, Tom Artwick Trio, $5 Shake, Place Called Home, and more. 

I moved my family to Pittsburgh in 2020 where I now work as the Creative Video Manager at a church in the South Hills. My time as a musician in the Roanoke Valley was an incredibly impactful part of my life and I use the lessons I learned as a player on the Roanoke music scene nearly every day. It’s a major blessing in my life to have been a part of this incredible scene!

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.