Arts in the Middle Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th, 2025
Hewick Plantation ~ Urbanna, VA
AIM MUSIC 2025
Saturday, June 7th
Acoustic Stage
10:15 - 11:30am Peyton Brabrand
11:45 – 1:00pm Roxy Coke & Allie Schaefer
1:15 – 2:30pm Jeff and Sherry Wagner
2:45 – 4:00pm Russell Lawson and Liz Nance
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Main Stage
10:45 - 12:00pm Troy Breslow
12:15 – 1:30pm Tom Euler Trio
1:45 – 3:00pm Jumbo Lump Daddy & the Backfin Boys
3:15 – 4:30pm Bobby Blackhat Band
Sunday, June 8th
Acoustic Stage
11:30 – 12:30pm O.T. and Sandy Adcock
12:45 – 1:45pm Hunter Owens
2:00 – 3:00pm Tom Euler
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Main Stage
11:30 - 12:30pm The Gurleys
12:45 – 1:45pm Karl Werne
2:00 – 3:00pm George Robinson & the Gospel Robins
Headliner for 2025
Bobby Blackhat Band
Bobby BlackHat, Virginia’s Blues Ambassador, award winning recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, comedian, producer, and actor hails from Cleveland, Ohio and currently resides in Newport News, VA. He has been playing harmonica for over 50 years. Bobby has opened for music legends: B.B King, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Patty Labelle, Ramsey Lewis, and Maze. Bobby BlackHat is a judge for the International Blues Challenge. Bobby BlackHat blends the influences of Chicago, Memphis, Piedmont, and Delta style blues along with a little Gospel into a Toe Tappin’, Finger Poppin’, Hip Shakin’ blues experience.
You Never Know What’s Gonna Happen at a Bobby BlackHat Show!
Musical Performers 2025
Jumbo Lump Daddy & the Backfin Boys
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Since its inception over 20 years ago, Jumbo Lump Daddy& the Backfin Boys, an 8 time winner of the Best Musicians of the Rivah Country, have been entertaining audiences throughout the region with their unique brand of “Rivahdacious” music.
In 2024 they reformed and continue the legacy by performing their genre defying music best described as sonically wooden. Their music encompasses rock’n roll, rhythm and blues, Americana, and country as well as original tunes that reflect their passion for life at the rivah.
The band consists of its original members – Clayton Neal on vocals, guitar, and harmonica and Gary Archer on vocals, guitar and banjo. With the addition of Clark Robins on djembe and Billy Budd on upright bass, Jumbo Lump Daddy & the Backfin Boys musical performances are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and get your feet tappin’.
Roxy Coke & Allie Schaefer
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Roxy Coke hails from Shacklesford and is a delightfully talented, home-schooled 14-year old. She has been playing the guitar for about 4 years and enjoys taking both guitar and voice lessons regularly. Her musical influences include Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson, as she seeks to express herself in the country music genre. In addition to listening to, loving, and playing music, Roxy is an avid horseback rider. She truly enjoys playing for her audiences throughout the local area and aspires to develop additional instrument skills in ukelele, piano, electric guitar, banjo and mandolin over time.
Allie Schaefer began her musical journey with a ukelele about two years ago. She soon switched to guitar and now at the age of 14, with many open mics and consistent practice under her belt, she has fine-tuned her sound—a clear, pure, heartfelt voice backed by a strong guitar. She finds herself inspired by neo folk, indie singer-songwriters and 90s acoustic music. Get ready to be inspired and touched by her raw musical talent and her genuine presence.
Together, Roxy and Allie represent some of the local youth who play regularly at the open mic at Something Different in Urbanna. Please join us in welcoming Roxy Coke and Allie Schaefer to Arts in The Middle, where this is their second year performing on the Acoustic Stage.
Russell Lawson and Liz Nance
Russell Lawson and Liz Nance are an acoustic duo who have been performing in the Richmond
metropolitan area since 1994. Their voices blend in clear, layered harmonies which coupled with tasteful acoustic stringed instruments create beauty and dimension to their diverse repertoire of classic popular songs and original compositions. Russell and Liz have shared their musical talents with appreciative audiences at a variety of venues in Virginia including festivals, private events, restaurants, and wineries.
Jeff & Sherry Wagner
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Jeff and Sherry Wagner are a husband-wife duo who play acoustic Americana music. They blend modern folk, classic country, bluegrass and roots material with guitar, mandolin, and bass with tight vocal harmonies. Jeff and Sherry have delighted audiences with their entertaining performances as a duo for over 30 years in the greater Richmond and Central Virginia area. Jeff is an award winning songwriter who has three albums to his credit.
Tom Euler
Tom Euler is an award-winning singer/songwriter from coastal Virginia whose songs have attained global appeal and success. For over a decade, his performances have enthralled audiences, blending thoughtful, powerful guitar work with his vocal prowess, characterized by an exceptional harmonic and dynamic range. A versatile and evolving artist, Euler continues to refine his craft and expand his creative horizons both with the Tom Euler Trio and as a solo performer. His solo performances offer an intimate glimpse into his songwriting finesse and wide- ranging influences. A performance by Tom Euler delivers to audiences an unforgettable
experience that bridges technical brilliance with emotional resonance.
Tom Euler Trio
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The Tom Euler Trio is a progressive blues/rock group from Virginia that is known for their high energy performances, thoughtfully written songs, and undeniable onstage chemistry. Featuring Tom Euler on guitar and vocals, Wes Mallory on bass and vocals, and Max Parker on drums and vocals, the group blends original compositions with electrifying covers of icons like The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ Top.
Since 2016, when Tom was an International Blues Challenge Finalist, he has continued to receive accolades including most recently the 2021 Winner of Josie Music Award "Jazz/Blues Song of the Year" and 2020 Winner of "Multi-Genre Group of the Year" Josie Music Award.
Experience the buzz for yourself and witness a band that embodies the spirit of blues-rock with passion and precision.
Peyton Brabrand
With a soulful resonance that echoes the greats of jazz history, Peyton Brabrand stands as a testament to the timeless allure of the tenor saxophone. Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, and Ike Quebec, Peyton's technique is a homage to the masters, yet uniquely his own. His playing is a tapestry woven from the threads of indomitable swing and deep, soul-stirring tones.
Whether caressing the notes with a gentle finesse or unleashing a torrent of impassioned melodies, Peyton's saxophone channels the spirit of the jazz age, transporting listeners to smoky jazz clubs of yesteryears.
O. T. and Sandy Adcock
Ollie and Sandy Adcock are a husband and wife duo, who discovered their love of music after 24 years of marriage. They reside in Deltaville and often perform locally at outdoor festivals, farmer’s markets, wineries, and open mics.
Hunter Owens
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Hunter Owens is a singer songwriter from Mathews County whose musical journey began at a very early age, 3 years old, and has since become well-known throughout the river country for his soulful voice and tasteful guitar playing. Inspired by legendary singer-songwriters such as John Denver, Hunter captivates audiences with a sound that delights your ears and warms your soul. His unique style is evident in his frequent performances throughout the area at churches, social gatherings and festivals. He has recently been invited to play at The Old Dominion Barn Dance.
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Troy Breslow is a Virginia-based singer-songwriter, celebrated for his honest lyrics, skillful guitar playing, and a deep-rooted rhythm that resonates long after the music ends. Over the past decade, he has steadily built a name for himself, earning accolades and the respect of his peers in the roots music scene.
In 2018, Troy was named Country Artist of the Year by the Veer Music Awards, and he was also nominated for Americana Artist of the Year by the Tennessee Music Awards, reflecting his growing impact in the Americana and country music genres. Troy’s blend of traditional country with his own unique storytelling style has earned him a reputation as an artist to watch. His 2022 album Pandemic Blues—an allegory of love and loss through the lens of global unrest—was nominated for EP of the Year by VEER.
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Karl Werne started out entertaining the Hampton Roads area of Virginia when he was 16. Eight years w/ The Lewis McGehee Group, four years w/ his own Instant Karma, and 20 years w/ saxophonist Eddie Williams made him a local favorite. He can now be found playing solo, with various musical friends for special events, or touring with long time partner, Elaine Dempsey as BiG WiDE GRiN.
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Karl's original songwriting won him first place for the Fishman National Songwriting Competition held in Atlanta, GA. He has won five VEER Magazine Music Awards in five different categories. Karl had the unique honor of writing the anthem/theme song for NASA's Centennial Celebration in 2017, and performed it with the Air Force Heritage Band.
Bill & Pam Gurley
Bill and Pam Gurley are a married couple with deep roots in the Tidewater area of Virginia. They started singing together on their first date and have been doing so ever since, much to the delight of audiences from Maine to the Caribbean. Bill is a multi- instrumentalist moving from guitar to banjo to fiddle. He also writes many of the songs that they perform together. Pam has a warm, captivating voice that listeners have found to be quite memorable.
The Gurley’s make their home in the Northern Neck of Virginia and have recorded several CDs over the years working with some of the best musicians in the region. Bill and Pam also front a bluegrass band known as “Fiddlesticks”, a group of talented friends that they have known since high school. The Gurley’s mix of folk,
bluegrass, blues, and a good dose of humor makes for music entertainment not to be missed!
George Robinson & the Gospel Robins
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George Robinson, AKA Singer Robinson, is a popular and well- known vocalist, who has been sharing his musical talents with others for the past 66 years. A native of Deltaville, he is an active member of First Baptist Amburg Church. He has performed in a variety of settings including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, church services and community events and for past 5 years has been joined in song by the Gospel Robins - Frauline Robinson; Chriscia White; Elder John Smith; Minister Shelia Madanat; and Frances Thurston. George enjoys singing all types of music, including gospel, contemporary, country, and soul, however gospel is his favorite. He is much-loved for his performances with local and regional choirs as well as coordinating music at Middlesex County’s multi-congregational worship service, One Community Under God, held every October.