Tag: Willie DE

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Culture

PICK: Willie DE

Publicity photo.

Continuing education: Willie DE’s musical education spans from busking on the Downtown Mall to studying jazz guitar at VCU. When he takes on a genre, he owns it, showing off his stuff with funk, blues, folk, and even some new wave, à la Elvis Costello. Along with his substantial knowledge of covers and fan favorites, Willie DE has a vast catalog of original songs, marked by his thoughtful lyrics, soulful voice, and ear-catching progressions.

Sunday 6/13, Free, 1pm. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, 5022 Plank Rd., North Garden. pippinhillfarm.com.

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Arts

ARTS Pick: Willie DE

Willie DE celebrates album number three at IX Art Park on Friday. Publicity image.

Building a groove: Willie DE may be the hardest-working musician in local show biz. As a determined teen he formed his first band, The Wave, at age 13, and busked on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall and in the parking lots before UVA football games. Following his education in jazz guitar at VCU and extensive touring on the East Coast, Willie celebrates the release of his third album, Runaway Child, a sophisticated exploration of blues, jazz, and rock marked by violin, bass, and punchy drum grooves.

Friday 9/20. $5-8, 8pm. Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE, 207-2355.

Categories
Arts

ARTS Pick: ‘Roots Down’ redux

Four area songwriters—David Tewksbury and Willie DE (above) of Charlottesville and Roanoke’s Phil Norman and Corey Hunley will perform Saturday at The Ante Room. Publicity photo

In September, WVTF ’s “Roots Down” host Luke Church gathered four area songwriters—David Tewksbury and Willie DE of Charlottesville met Roanoke’s Phil Norman and Corey Hunley in a live show that united the performers through instant chemistry. In a musical equivalent of finishing each other’s sentences, the session found the musicians harmonizing, swapping verses and improvising solos so naturally that they booked another set of performances together almost immediately.

Saturday, February 18. $5, 8pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

Categories
Arts

ARTS Pick: Willie DE

Four area songwriters—David Tewksbury and Willie DE (above) of Charlottesville and Roanoke’s Phil Norman and Corey Hunley will perform Saturday at The Ante Room. Publicity photo

When guitarist Willie DE walks onstage to unveil his sophomore album, Thunder Train, he will be taking another big step on a musical journey that cuts straight through Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. As a young aspiring musician, DE made his first bucks while busking on local streets, and credits his membership at the Music Resource Center for opening up opportunities to bigger gigs at Floyd Fest and the Pavilion. DE’s new album benefits from his recent study of jazz guitar as he merges it into the folk-blues style of his original tunes.

Friday 11/18. $8-10, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.