The Lowdown on Allegheny Uprising

 

Live music is the best medium. Two instruments or three, a voice with the melody and the collective attention of a roomful of people together can create a moment that, with some effort, skill and luck, will be not only a pleasant diversion, but also a lasting memory.

 
Songs are words, tones and time that paint pictures in the mind, take us to another place and return us to our lives refreshed and inspired.  Allegheny Uprising hopes to share this world with you. With a broad  repertoire that offers something for everyone, Allegheny Uprising's music is about more than genres, labels or attitudes -- it's all about entertainment.

 

 

Currently, Allegheny Uprising consists of

Jay Votel and Barry Bryan

and recently added members, Nick Kinney and Melissa Wright

 

Barry (left) and Jay (right)

Singer-songwriter Jay Votel (guitar, harmonica, mandolin) and Barry Bryan (bass) together bring their collective lifetimes of musical experience to the stage, a synergy in performance that has deep roots in the American and British pop and folk music that helped to shape their upbringing. The duo is based in the Potomac Valley: Jay lives in suburban Sterling, Va.; Barry in historic Harpers Ferry, W.Va.


Welcome to our corner of the Internet. Enjoy.


NEW in 2008:  Introducing NEW MEMBERS to Allegheny Uprising:

 

They are so energetic and talented and they've really infused us with a lot of spirit.

 

Please meet:  Nick Kinney

Nick Kinney started playing the banjo after realizing he was finger-picking rolls on his guitar. After vamping through his first six months of jam sessions, he started to play lead breaks and improvise. Nick's playing is influenced most by his knowledge of fiddle tunes and old time music, but also enjoys the hard driving sound of Scruggs, Reno and Stanley. Nick is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in biology and enjoys playing postal chess. Nick lives in Hamilton, Va.

 

 

Please meet:  Melissa Wright 

 

Allegheny Uprising is fortunate to be joined this spring by Melissa Wright of Round Hill, Va., a gifted singer, songwriter, musician and performer.  Here's how Melissa describes herself:

 

"I'm 17 and a senior at Loudoun Valley High School.  There, I play lead trombone in wind ensemble and sing and play bass trombone in jazz band.  I've been first chair bass trombone in the district for 2 years, gone to all state auditions, a member JMU's Youth Honors Brass Band, and also first chair bass trombone in All District Jazz.  Also named as one of the District's Jazz All-Stars last year.

 

I've been playing "professionally" for two years in my band "The Acoustic Burgoo."  We've been fortunate enough to have a really good start, playing at places like The Bluemont Fair, Watermelon Park Fest, Round Hill's Last Night, as well as plenty of restaurants and coffee shops around the area.

 

I started playing autoharp 2 years ago, then picked up the guitar about 8 months ago.  I just started playing mandolin in January.  I've been writing songs for as long as I can remember.  I love all music.  I'm really into Bob Dylan as far as songwriting, but singing wise, I'm really influenced by old blues and jazz singers like Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Etta James.

 

Other than music, I love being outside:  hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and riding horses (I have two).  I'm hoping to study songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston next year."

 

Links:  to Melissa's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/melissaewright) and one for the Burgoo's page (www.myspace.com/theacousticburgoo)

 

 

EXCITING SCHEDULE NOTE:  This winter and spring, Allegheny Uprising will be performing at Beans In the Belfrey in Brunswick, Maryland, on every second and fourth Wednesday from 7 - 9 p.m.  Please check our Schedule for details and come out to see us.
 

Click on button below for bio information about each band member:

        

 

 

 

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