
The Bounty of Blythewood was quite an experience. The temperature had dropped to 19° F by dawn November 22. We had agreed to provide sound for the musicians all day and we were scheduled to play a two-hour set from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. Remarkably, we pulled it off. And, we heard some really good music in the process. At 10:00, we were followed by Michael Hearne. He lives and records in Nashville and his singing and guitar picking were fantastic. His website is www.michaelhearne.com. Check him out! After Michael Hearne, we heard from Jon Michaels. He lives in Lexington, and he's involved in some cool video and audio productions nationwide. Jon's website is www.jonmichaelsmusic.com. We hope to get invited back next year. And, we hope to weather is a little warmer. May, 2007 Road Trip! Road Trip! On May 12th, Gary and Covey traveled to Sylva, North Carolina to play for an enthusiastic crowd of Western Carolina University students and locals at O'Malley's Irish Pub. A good time was had by all! Manager Jason was tapping his toes all night long and Stephanie (our wonderful server) kept everybody happy. We especially enjoyed Michelle's dancing. Of course, our main groupies Angela and Melinda were stoking the fire by providing a little audience participation. This was our first trip to O'Malley's, but we hope to get invited back in the fall. We did manage to snap this photo of the marquee on the outside of the building (see above). Maybe next time we will remember to take pictures on the inside while we are actually playing music. Stay tuned. We will let you know when we are going back! February, 2007 Unfortunately, we could not settle on a clear winner for the "Name That Music" contest. One person suggested "Southern Folk Music" and another said it was "Hillbilly Alternative." We are still struggling with the marketing aspects of 2 For The Road, so if you have any bright ideas, let us know at Covey@2ForTheRoadMusic.com We look forward to hearing from you. November, 2006 How would you categorize the music played by 2 For The Road? Marketing experts have told us that we need some kind of catchy description of our music. This is very difficult because 2FTR plays many genres of music: Country, Rock, Bluegrass, Folk, Pop and Blues. That's too long. So, what is short-hand for it? This month, we are announcing the "Name That Style Challenge." You are invited and encouraged to submit a suggestion. The rules are that it must be no more than two words. You are also allowed to create new words (remember when George Clinton created the term Funkadelic?). Here are some of the suggestions we have already heard: Acoustic Traditional, Acoustic Jukebox, Country Folk (that one makes me think of my dear ol' Grandpa), Acoustic Retro, and Grassabilly Folkrock. If you can't think of a name of your own, let us know if you like one of these. Entries should be sent to Covey@2ForTheRoadMusic.com The winner will be selected at Delaney's on December 22 where he or she will receive the beverage of his/her choice from Delaney's wide choice of drinks. So, don't wait. Get your entry in today! October, 2006 Shakespeare said that a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. So, I guess we shouldn't be upset about the name thing. But, lately there has been a rash of misnomers, or should we say aliases, associated with 2 For the Road. First, there was "Two For the Road" on the chalkboard at MacDougall's. Then, there was "Two 4 the Road" at Delaney's (also listed in the Free Times ad that way). Then, things started getting really strange when they printed our name on the back of the 2nd Annual Boating for Breast Cancer Awareness benefit Tee Shirt as "2 for the Band." We figured that was the result of a graphic artist taking an extended smoke break before setting the type on the screen printer. Then, we read in The Saloon's Free Times ad that "Two for the Band" would be playing there on October 6th. All of this got us thinking, and we have decided that its probably a plot to destroy us. Maybe Al Queda has decided they don't like us because we play too many drinking songs. Or, maybe its the Sierra Club because they don't like the lyrics to "Take it Out Back," or maybe its former Congressman Mark Foley because he doesn't like it when we play the classic Bob Seger tune "Turn the Page." Well, whatever the problem is, we are pressing forward with the 2 For the Road motto "Fine, and You?" because its all about attitude, baby. Our plans are to get a few 2FTR hats and tee shirts made up just in time for Christmas. That way, all of our fans can help spread the correct name. Stay tuned for more updates on this story. As Covey said one night after a fan bought him two shots of Jaeger, "The weirder things are, the weirder they get." September, 2006 Its been nearly two years since 2 For The Road started playing at the Fireplace Grill and Roadrunners. We are now playing at least once per week (unless we take a week off). Our fan base has grown and we are continuing to grow as musicians. We are working on lots of new songs, including some originals that focus on the harmonies and melodies that make our music special. This note is just a big THANK YOU for all of the support you have given us in the last two years. We also thank you for supporting the establishments where we play. That's what keeps bringing us back. Please stay tuned to this News page for information about special events and show dates. June 2006
Musical Group of the Emergency Beer Network (EBN). Said EBN President Brian Taylor "I can think of no more appropriate group than 2 For The Road. We are proud to associate our organization with these guys." 2 For The Road member Michael "Covey" Covington has been known to wear his EBN tee shirt on stage while playing shows in the Columbia area. When asked about the EBN, he replied "Any group that recognizes the late Lee Marvin as a great American is alright in my book." Rumors have it that Taylor, the group's founder and leading beer expert, has a glass enclosed case at his home containing one bottle of brew with a sign that reads "NOTICE: In case of emergency, break glass." He is a man who takes his beer seriously. Gary Hydrick, lead singer and guitarist with 2 For The Road said that he was surprised to hear that the group had chosen 2 For The Road. "I had heard of the EBN and I was familiar with their work, so quite naturally it was a real honor to be named their Official Musical Group." For information about the Emergency Beer Network, go to their website www.TheFlocc.com |
