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Known for its weekly fiddle and banjo jam, and occasional
appearances of the talented singer/songwriter Kat Mills, The Coffee Mill here in
Radford is easily the best environment to enjoy good coffee, sandwiches and
local folk music. Who better than the acoustic folk musician Andrew Gregory
to share his music in such a place.
His voice is enchanting; his music is soothing; his lyrics are both clever and
insightful...and he's only in his 20s! Originally from Radford, Andrew spent
years trying to avoid a career in music, but no matter how hard he tried to hide
it, his incredible talent as a singer and guitarist could not be ignored. Now
living in Charlottesville, Andrew embraces his gifts as a musician by writing,
recording and performing his songs.
With lyrics about romantic endeavors and conversations with Charles Darwin, it's
hard to believe that he is so young. On Sept. 2, his alluring melodies
and vocals not only filled the room, but they captivated the hearts of listeners as
they enjoyed java and baked goods at The Coffee Mill. Andrew's set was comprised of
a mix of original tunes, both from his debut album and newer songs soon to be
recorded, as well as traditional folk tunes and songs by other musicians.
Being in such a small venue created a friendly atmosphere for the local
residents and students that turned out for the performance. The intimate
setting along with the mellow music made for a very relaxing experience. Andrew
himself made his listeners feel welcome simply by smiling at people as they
walked through the door and telling stories about his songs. He allowed
everyone in the room to feel connected to the music.
His personality is equally as wonderful as the songs he performs. During a
break in the show, I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with him,
during which he told me about the first song he wrote. When Andrew was about
three-years-old his pet frog passed away. He wanted to express his feelings
about his beloved pet, so he borrowed his father's guitar and wrote his first
song. Unfortunately, the next day he had forgotten what he wrote, and his
career as a songwriter was put on hold for the next 18 years.
I am glad, however, that he eventually decided to pursue a musical path,
otherwise I would not have been able to witness his abilities first hand. Overall, I have to say that watching Andrew Gregory perform was a great experience. Folk music has never been a genre I ever thoroughly enjoyed until I saw him at The Coffee Mill. His music as a whole is so intriguing that I couldn't
help but buy one of his CDs. His recorded works are definitely worth listening
to, and his live performance even more so. The music he shares will leave you
with an appreciation for acoustic folk you never knew you could have.
Visit Andrew Gregory's Website
Julie Brennan is Whim's official *&^*&^.
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