Live on Olde Main Performers

Beggars Clan is a seven piece funk/rock band from Charleston, WV. Since their formation in 2013, Beggars Clan has evolved into what it is today with their passion for music as the binding force. After the release of their first full length album in 2019, they're currently working on their second full length album, set to release in 2020. The heart of Beggars Clan comes from every one of it's members. The band has no one leader, everybody plays an important role in making the group what it is. Beggars Clan's massive sound is produced from two guitars, bass, horns, drums and auxiliary percussion. While the band strives to create unique originals,they also like to play some classic songs by artist who have influenced them over the years such as Parliament Funkadelic, The Meters, Joe Walsh, War and yes, even Black Sabbath Beggars Clan has played all over their home state of West Virginia, including two shows on Charleston's Live on the Levee series and the Clay Center's Sound Check Sessions. They have also played some great festivals including Color Dance in Athens, Ohio, Groovin' with the Grove in Philippi, WV and Highland Jam in Elkins, WV. When you come to a Beggars Clan show, the band wants you to just be yourself, sing along, dance and have a great time.

Hello June formed in the hills of Morgantown, WV after core members Sarah Rudy (guitar/vocals) and Whit Alexander (drums) met as tenants of a particularly communal apartment building. Their debut six-song EP, Spruce, fittingly unfolds as if an expression of self-discovery, where languid reflection is never as far from catharsis as it seems. NPR featured their single "Dance" on Heavy Rotation and hailed the Spruce EP for its mix of driving, indomitable hooks and ethereal, sustained tones, noting its, "blend of bright, blissful rock that shimmers, even throughout its darker moments." In January 2018, Hello June was featured in NPR Music's first ever Slingshot class, a program where NPR-affiliated stations nominate exceptional emerging bands. ​ Hello June's self-titled debut album is another shimmering slice of 90s nostalgia that manages to build on the stellar sound of it's predecessor. They announced the new album after premiering its first single "Mars" on NPR Music, who described the single as "a song worthy of national attention... a pulsating slice of 1990s comfort food that will shake the stardust from your heartstrings." Rudy's as assertive as she is compassionate, and you can hear these qualities all over her lovingly crafted, deftly narrated music, which is the world she builds to escape the toils of her daily life. Her hushed vocals endow her lyrics with an irresistible charm while her carefully crafted guitar work builds up single melodies and riffs into surging oceans of distortion similar to Madeline Kenny. This rare combination of guitar-generated atmospherics and lyrical intimacy are at the heart of many of Hello June's tracks, but most notably on the album's two closing tracks "Momma" and "Handshakes." Others, like the album's second single "Candy Rain" and "Stranger," exude that air of relaxed confidence of early Tom Petty.

Minor swing takes on the style of gypsy jazz, created and made popular in the 1930’s by French Romani guitarist Django Reignhardt and violinist Grappeli, and performs in the heart of West Virginia capital city Charleston West Virginia

Contemporary jazz artist Amanda Bridgette’s enthusiasm for music has been the foundation for developing a natural, flavorful performance style that is an effortless blend of soulful and spicy vocals. That enthusiasm is apparent when Bridgette talks about her work. According to Bridgette, “There are some things in life that are innately good. For me, music is one of those things.” Whether she is performing jazz standards or one of her recently released original tunes, Bridgette’s joy of music leaves audiences of all types captivated, and her work is highly acclaimed by experts in the music industry. Grammy-nominated record producer Scott Rouse has praised Bridgette’s “powerful tone and obvious in-depth understanding of the roots of jazz and swing,” while Ron Sowell, music director for Mountain Stage Radio Show on NPR predicts that “the sky is the limit for this young and talented artist” who “is blessed with a killer voice that sounds authentic whether she is singing jazz, soul, pop, folk, blues or country.” Influenced by her Appalachian upbringing that was surrounded with the sounds of bluegrass and the tight harmonies of southern gospel, Bridgette learned to love music at an early age. “Where I grew up, music was used as a means of communicating – communicating emotion. Many of the musicians I grew up around couldn’t even read music, but they could make you feel a melody. That is how I first understood music – as a language. The education came later.” Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in music, she embarked upon the beginning of her musical journey, first as a vocalist for well-known theme parks such as Busch Gardens and Hersheypark and then by branching out into the world of musical theater, performing lead roles in theaters throughout the U.S. Adding to her professional career, Bridgette worked as a vocalist for Silversea, Norwegian and Orient cruise lines, performed a long-running cabaret show in Cozumel, Mexico, and was a lounge vocalist for national resort chains including Hilton and Marcus resorts. She has had the opportunity to serve as a National Anthem vocalist for various Southeastern Conference athletic events, and has recently enjoyed success as a guest artist in concert series across the country.

Chris was born in West Virginia in 1972. He started playing drums at the age of 7, landed his first professional job at age 13 and played professionally throughout his junior and senior high school years. While drum set was his first love, Chris mastered all aspects of percussion and had the honor of being chosen Outstanding Male Musician of Kanawha County his 9th grade year. He performed with the George Washington High School Band at Carnegie Hall in New York as well as in concert with Frank Gambale of the Chick Corea Electric Band at West Virginia State University before studying at Interlochen. Chris graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI – a private high school for performing arts in 1990. At IAA, he was chosen for the drum set chair in the IAA Jazz Band and had the distinct honor of being the only senior in the jazz department selected to perform a Senior Recital for faculty and students. Chris continued his music education at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he performed with the nationally renowned Chris Potter, Joel Frahm, Julian & Murali Coryell, Dave Allen, Bill McHenry and Ben Waltzer. While in New York, he studied with John Riley, Kenny Washington, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Jamey Haddad and Portinho – a master at Brazilian drum set technique. Upon his return to Charleston, Chris entered the music scene performing with the Steve Himes Connection where he has been the group’s drummer since its inception in 1996. He currently performs in eight diverse bands in the local area playing all genres of music. His past credits include appearances with Frank Gambale, Ed Uribe, Vince Lewis, Mike Richmond, Bob Thompson and Robert Shafer. In addition to performing, for the past 17 years Chris has taught and continues to teach students of all ages privately at Gorby’s Music in South Charleston, WV. Chris is best known for his versatility in playing all styles of music which is exemplified on the latest CD of both C2J2 and the Ryan Kennedy Trio. Through his diverse performance experiences, he has developed a mastery of jazz, rock and blues, as well as a sensitive understanding of Latin and Brazilian rhythms. After experiencing a concert for the Charleston Jazz Series, Johnathan Rogers of the Charleston (WV) Gazette wrote: “Hudson is clearly in love with every sound his drums make. He was simply marvelous. How he has remained in the area and not been gobbled up by a national rock or jazz band is a complete mystery to me.”

As a finalist and winner of many international music competitions, trombonist Austin Seybert is equally at home performing music in both the classical and jazz genres. As a soloist, Austin was a finalist for the American Trombone Workshop's classical and jazz solo competitions in 2015 and 2018. While a member of the award winning University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble, the ensemble won three international jazz trombone ensemble competitions in 2014 and 2017 through the American Trombone Workshop and the International Trombone Association's Kai Winding competition in 2017. Also an accomplished composer, Austin has been featured in DownBeat Magazine for his arrangement of "Giant Steps" and also wrote the title track for the brass chamber ensemble Transit Brass and their debut album entitled "Soundscapes" where he is also a founding member. In addition, Austin is involved as a performer throughout the United States, performing and teaching in diverse settings such as orchestras, recording sessions, jazz, popular music, and chamber ensembles including as the lead trombonist of the International Glenn Miller Orchestra in 2016, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Da Camera, and Transit Brass. Recently, Dr. Seybert was invited to perform at the 2020 International Trombone Festival in Osaka, Japan to premiere a new work for trombone and piano. In November of 2019, Austin announced his first solo classical album entitled "Untold Stories" which will feature all new solo and accompaniment works for tenor and bass trombone, trombone sextet, and mixed brass ensemble. These works are being commissioned to bring continued awareness towards current political and social issues involved in America. Due to COVID-19 restriction and delays, the tentative release date will be for the Fall of 2021. Past musical studies include a masters degree studying with Jim Pugh at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign in Jazz Trombone Performance and studying with Harry Watters while obtaining a music education degree from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Austin recently graduated from the University of Iowa with a DMA in Trombone Performance and Pedagogy in August of 2019 where he studied with Dr. Jonathan Allen and Dr. David Gier.

Alasha has played the violin since age 8 and studied at Ohio University for Music Therapy and Performance. She also stuidied at WVSU for Education and recently completed her Montessori Certification in Montessori studies through METTC in Boston, MA. She is a mother to her 9 year old daughter Avalee, a freelance performer in Charleston with many various groups past and present including Minor Swing, Qiet, Beth and Alasha, and various songwriters in the community such as Ron Sowell, Mike Pushkin, David McGuire, Mark Scarpelli, and more! She is also the first violinist of the David Bowie String Quintet and a previous Mountain Stage performer with her former group Qiet. She has recorded on over 10 albums with her violin playing. Currently, she’s an elementary teacher at Mountaineer Montessori School teaching grades 4-6. She has also been a private music instructor for 7 years, teaching violin, piano, ukulele, guitar, music theory, and songwriting.

Alondra Johnson is a 16 year old Charleston West Virginian Guitarist/ producer. Johnson has had incredible opportunities in her short life span such as Sound Board Assistant for Children’s Theatre of Charleston and for other various concerts, Host of the Annual concert Fundraiser LIVE! On Olde Main, rhythm guitarist for West Virginia State University Jazz ensemble (Big Band), Second year student at Berklee summer guitar Sessions, and currently a student in the NYU’s Music Industry Certification Program Johnson has been seen as a guest including Quick Call Yall, Taylor Books, The Shops at Dunbar, and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Alondra graduates in spring 2022 and plans on studying Music Business and technology/ Commercial music.