This past weekend was a whirlwind of music, connection, and good vibes deep in the heart of West Virginia. I had the pleasure of playing at two fantastic events: the Kindred Spirits Appalachian Underground Music Festival hosted by The Indie on Main, and the One Man Jam Festival at Omjf Silverlake. Both were packed with soul, community, and the kind of energy that reminds you why festival season is such a beautiful time of year.
First off, hats off to Scott C. Brooks, Flying Squirrel Ranch & Farm, and the whole team behind Kindred Spirits. The event had this welcoming, down-home feel—like stepping into a gathering of old friends, even if you hadn’t met them yet. The setting was stunning, the crowd was warm, and the music flowed like a mountain stream.
One of the real highlights was finally meeting Aristotle Jones. If you know anything about West Virginia music, you’ve probably heard his name. The man is just as cool in person as he is on stage—genuine, full of stories, and clearly driven by a deep love for the music and the people it brings together.
Then there was the One Man Jam Festival. What a cool setup—48 hours of stripped-down basics, with musicians doing one-hour sets, one after another. Raw and real. It’s always a joy to be around folks who just love music.
I also had a surprise run-in with Andrew Benson, the guy behind the Songs and Stories West Virginia podcast. I’ve admired his work for a while—he’s doing great things to shine a light on musicians from across the state. It was a treat to catch him there, and even better to hear his set. The guy’s the real deal, and what he’s doing for local and regional music is something special.
All in all, the weekend was a beautiful reminder of how music brings us together—under sun or stars (or in the case of this weekend - rain and clouds), on stages big or small, with familiar faces and new ones alike. Here’s to more weekends like this, more miles of music, and more stories to tell.
This Saturday, I’ll be playing a two-hour set at Berkeley Springs Brewery from 7-9 pm and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve made the decision to go all-original in my live sets, and Berkeley Springs Brewery is all about supporting original music. I’m thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to sharing my songs with a crowd that truly values the heart behind the music.