People who perform in front of live audiences for a living have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but I found all these musicians to still be passionate about what they do. All are eagerly looking forward to the return of live music.
1 of 11

"The holy grail is to find that moment where everything comes together. You come home feeling like you split the atom." –Jeremy Berlin, pianist. — Jeremy Driesen

“This whole thing is like a revival we’re having up here in Aquinnah." –Sean McMahon, musician and pastor. — Jeremy Driesen

“I’m more comfortable relying on faith instead of control, especially in these times of COVID.” –Katie Mayhew-McMahon, musician and singer. — Jeremy Driesen

“This is everyone’s gig, we just happened to have set the stuff up.” –Buck Shank, guitarist, on the open nature of the Vineyard music scene. — Jeremy Driesen

“My dad bought me a $5 acoustic guitar when I was 13 and said, ‘I don’t care what you do with this, just learn 'Red River Valley.’ On my 50th birthday, I finally played that song for him ... as he lay dying. ‘That’s my favorite’ was the last thing my father ever said to me.” –Don Groover, guitarist. — Jeremy Driesen

“My dad brought me to an open mic night. I was 16. I sat in for three songs and it was like, Whoa. That was it.” –Delanie Pickering, guitarist, on the first time she performed in public. — Jeremy Driesen

“My first gig was at the Ritz ... with the Sofa Kings.”
–Phil daRosa, guitarist and producer. — Jeremy Driesen

“We wanted to call the band Murphy’s Law, but the name was taken, so we called it Murphy Slaw." –Brad Tucker, bassist, on naming his first band. — Jeremy Driesen