Entrepreneur John Huggins has always been amazed that the Shenandoah Valley is teaming with so much musical talent, so in March his company, Shenandoah Concerts, in partnership with Augusta Expo, will kick off a brand new series geared at showcasing the best in up-and-coming local artists.
First in the lineup of shows will be the Augusta Country Music Showcase: Blooming Young Artist, which is set for Friday, March 29, 7pm/gate 6pm at Augusta Expo Hall, Fishersville, VA. Ticket prices are $10/$15 at the door and can be purchased online at www.augustaexpo.com or at Shenandoah Hops, 9 N. New Street, Staunton.
The event will feature four young country performers:
Dave Sayre grew up in Fishersville,Virginia right in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. He grew up hunting, fishing, working, and playing music. Throughout his teen years he was involved in several praise and worship bands. He continued playing in worship bands into his college years at Virginia Tech. During Dave’s time at Virginia Tech he started writing some of his own music. His first two songs “Virginia” and “Oak Tree” were written before he graduated with a management degree in May of 2011. After graduation he entered and won a singing contest put on by Virginia Dreams Centerstage called the Voice of the Valley. Since then he has been writing new songs and working on his debut album “Virginia”. He has also appeared on the Virginia Dreams Centerstage television show that is aired on RFDTv.
Emma Leigh is a charismatic performer and powerful vocalist. She has had a “dream come true” journey since being discovered at the age of 11, singing in a musical revue at a local youth theatre. Since then, she has become the youngest cast member of the “Virginia Dreams Center Stage” TV Show, currently airing on the RFD-TV cable network. She is also the youngest artist on the Virginia Dreams Record label and has completed her debut CD entitled, “I Wanna Be Rich.”At just 15 years old, her 2nd major recording is in the works and will be released in Spring of 2013. Emma has already performed in major Nashville venues and opened for famed artists such as Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, Nothin’ Fancy, Randy Travis, Wilson-Fairchild, and Country super-group, Exile.
SaraJane McDonald is a 13 year old country singer with big goals, big dreams and a huge passion for music. She has been singing since age two and has a busy home life on her family’s turkey and beef cattle farm. SaraJane plays guitar, oboe, a little percussion and looks forward to learning more instruments along the way.
Jeremy Staubus is a singer/song writer who grew up in the small town of Mount Solon, Jeremy was involved in music at a young age. Both of Jeremy’s parents were singers and his father was a trained piano player. His parents encouraged him to start singing in church and at school, this was just the beginning. In 2009, Staubus joined a local cover country/variety band, Wildhorse. In playing with Wildhorse, Jeremy learned how to become a front-man and true entertainer. Jeremy has played clubs, fairs and private parties across Virginia and West Virginia with the band. In 2011, Jeremy turned his focus toward a solo career and started recording his debut album. Recently, this year, Jeremy released “Dam Town” on January 7, 2012 (all original songs). He has become a regular in venues around the Valley and on the Nashville local circuit.
The next showcases in the series include the Augusta Bluegrass Showcase on May 24 and the Augusta Music Showcase on July 12. A portion of the proceeds from each of these events will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
For more information about tickets for the Augusta Country Music Showcase and upcoming events from Shenandoah Concerts, visit www.she
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