adrian varnam

Cowboy at Sea: American icon Randy Jones, aka Village People Cowboy, plays the Royal Winner Princess II

This post was originally published in encore magazine on June 2nd, 2010. Most would think that being forever associated with a single, campy role in an artist’s career would frustrate a serious performer.  Not so for Randy Jones.  His three years as the original cowboy from the Village People has been a springboard for a [...]

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Charlie Mars Finds His Way Home: Mississippi musician lives the highs, lows and even-keels on land and sea

This post was originally published in encore magazine on May 19th, 2010. The story of Charlie Mars seems almost too cinematic to be true: Young musician from a small town in Mississippi scrapes together enough money during college to record an album. He tours relentlessly for the next several years, recording two more albums and [...]

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Love of All-Things Southern: Interview With Southern Culture on the Skids

Originally published in encore magazine on April 14th, 2010. For over 25 years, few in music have associated being from the South more than the band Southern Culture On the Skids (SCOTS). As their name would suggest, SCOTS has made a career out of highlighting the seedier, campier and more outrageous aspects of life south [...]

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Youthful Force: Fortune in the Sun release debut, Where’s My Jetpack?

This article was originally published in encore magazine on April 14th, 2010. The history of rock ‘n’ roll is paved with youthfulness. Aging rockers and legendary icons aside, rock music has always been a reflection of youth culture, and with it comes the familiar themes of rebellion, restlessness and angst. The trick for some bands [...]

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All the Goo: Johnny Rzeznik talks humility and charity among music stardom

This post was originally published in encore magazine on April 7th, 2010. Since the release of their fifth record, A Boy Named Goo in 1995, the Goo Goo Dolls have been mainstream pop/rock music icons. Their smash hit-single “Iris,” released three years later for the film City Of Angels, sent the band, and their frontman [...]

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Breaking Artistic Barriers: Revered Kronos Quartet plays Kenan Auditorium Sunday

This post was originally published in encore magazine on April 7th, 2010. The story of the young rock ‘n’ roller who dedicates his or her life to music upon hearing The Beatles first perform on Ed Sullivan has become something of a legend nowadays. Countless recollections from performers of popular music have been shared over [...]

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Collaboratively Individualistic: Chris Potter shares his passion for jazz as part of UNCW JazzFest

Originally posted in encore magazine on March 24th, 2010. Even the most celebrated of artists don’t always gravitate toward their calling on the first try. For world-renowned saxophonist Chris Potter, the discovery became an acquired taste. “I remember that before I heard jazz records, I didn’t really like the saxophone,” he revealed last week, during [...]

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Holding On To Belief: Drive-By Truckers make it on relentless determination

Originally published in encore magazine on March 3rd, 2010. It’s been a long time since the Clinton administration ruled the office. The world seemed simpler and safer then. The internet was new and exciting. MTV actually played music, and new bands did it the old-fashioned way through incessant touring, sleeping on couches, and begging anyone [...]

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Getting Personal: Jeremy Aggers

This article was originally published in encore magazine on January, 13th, 2010. After seeing him perform in Wilmington last year, it’s clear that singer/songwriter Jeremy Aggers is a captivating performer in the most unusual sort of way.  He has no bravado and doesn’t demand that people pay attention.  He doesn’t dance around or bang on [...]

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Music to His Ears: UNCW music professor Jerald Shynett receives Grammy nomination

Originally published in encore magazine on January 27th, 2010. No matter what it is we do for a living, it always feels great to receive a little recognition from our peers. For UNCW music professor Jerald Shynett, the recognition comes in the form of a Grammy-Award nomination for arranger Vince Mendoza, for his arrangement of [...]

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