Move over Nashville — Bristol’s got musical talent to spare, and much of it will be on display during the Fourth of July Concert Series June 20 through July 3. Here’s a musical tour of some of the local musicians who will be playing on the big stage this year.

Folks goals

Bristol resident Colby James isn’t new to the local music scene — from 2004 through 2012, James’ first band, RUNE, was playing all around the Northeast and was one of the more popular bands in Rhode Island. After a hiatus while his kids were in diapers, he launched Colby James & The Ramblers in 2018. He released his first solo CD in 2015 and then this year he released another with the Ramblers.

Fellow Bristolian James Raiola met James a few years ago at the open mic sessions at Judge Roy Bean Saloon and began to play rhythm guitar for the Ramblers before getting roped into double duty as the band’s manager and tireless promoter.

In addition to James and Raiola, the band includes Bristol’s Jay Pacheco, as well as Heather Church, Leigh Gilbert, and Brian Defusco. Raiola is excited about the attention the band has been getting lately, citing sellout crowds at venues including the Narrows, the Zeiterion, and Boston City Winery, in addition to appearances at New York clubs, including CBGB. In addition to headlining the Bristol Concert Series on July 1, they have already sold out the first of two dates at Blithewold in July and August, and they were just invited to perform at this year’s Rhythm and Roots Festival on Labor Day weekend.

Raiola’s goal is to see Colby James & The Ramblers perform onstage at the Newport Folk Festival, but for now, he’s looking forward to July 1. “There’s nothing like playing in front of the hometown crowd — we can’t wait!”

Crushing it

Bristolians Rick Pimental and Joe Scolaro will be taking the stage with bandmates Steve Howe and Buzzy Ketz on June 26 as Crushed Velvet, a ’70s rock tribute band that also walks the walk in proper ’70s vintage threads. “We pull it off,” laughed Pimental, who has been playing in the local music scene since the late 1980s. “I enjoy it so much — it’s a ’70s concert all over again.”

He counts local musicians Joe Caron and Bobby Conti, from the days of the late, lamented Village Tavern, among his influences. Their set list will feature family-friendly selections from artists like Peter Frampton, David Bowie and Queen, and he says he’s really excited for the band’s second appearance at the concert series.

“The crowds are amazing,” he said. “It gives you a little taste of what it would feel like to be on a national tour.”

Flying solo

Opening for Crushed Velvet on June 26 is Jon Tyler, who has lived in Bristol his whole life — his children, in fact, are the fourth-generation being raised in the home that once belonged to his grandparents. He likes to play the stuff he grew up with — putting his own spin on classic Rock, and music from the ’60s through the ’90s. He’s a regular feature at downtown venues including the Elks Club, Rivers and Rhodes, Portside and Judge Roy Bean Saloon.

Tyler’s excited to be part of this year’s concert  series. “I’m so blessed and happy to be included in a lineup with so many great musicians — June 26 can’t come soon enough.”

Funky blues

July 2 headliners Blue FOs are a six-piece blues band mostly based out of northern Rhode Island, but with Bristol’s own George Correia on drums. Correia went to Berklee College of Music, where he met his mentor, Greg Hopkins, who arranged for Buddy Rich. His love for composing and arranging brought him into contact and collaboration with musicians including Clarence Clemons and the E Street Band, Steve Smith and the Nakeds, Peter Wolf, Donny Wahlberg, Melanie, and Nuno Bettencourt. He’s amassed more than 30 album credits nationally and regionally, and currently performs with The Remains, the opening act for the Beatles’ 1966 U.S. tour. 

Correia says the Blue FOs will be performing a mix of original material and covers, though he says they don’t do a lot of traditional blues — more funky stuff. “I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he said. “We have good chemistry, good tunes, and high energy.”

Correia is especially happy that his 90-year-old parents — his father is also a musician — will be in the audience on July 2. “It’s always great to play for the hometown crowd,” he said.

‘02809’ in the 02809

Andre Arsenault and his band will be performing June 29, and his set list will include five recently released songs written during the pandemic, including “02809”, an homage to Bristol and the July 4 Celebration. The kernel of the song that became “02809” began around the 2019 holiday, when Mr. Arsenault was spending time with his family. “I was raised in Bristol, my grandparents lived on the parade route, it’s our favorite time of year.”

A Bristol ‘Project’

Kyle Flynn wasn’t born in Bristol — he’s “only” been here 22 years. But his band, The DMB Project, was born at this concert series, just a few years ago.

“I’ve been in bands all my life, and I’ve always enjoyed this concert series,” he said. “A few years ago I was here with my three young children and one of them asked me why I wasn’t up there.”

That simple question lit a spark. Flynn began to form the DMB Project, a pure tribute band that seeks to emulate the sound of the Dave Matthews Band, one band member at a time. Dozens and dozens of interviews later, he had assembled a group of accomplished musicians who could play a large catalog of Dave Matthews music. Their first performance was at the Common Pub in 2018.

“It sounds geeky, but I’m so proud to have my kids see this growth and know what can come from working hard and putting in the hours,” he said.

Flynn says he went with Dave Matthews for his wife, who was never that interested in spending her nights following him from gig to gig. “So I finally asked her what she would come see, if I played it, and she said ‘play Dave Matthews, I love Dave Matthews.’ So this is for her.”

“Dave Matthews is timeless, and appeals to men, women, a range of ages,” Flynn said. “I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

You can see The DMB Project headlining the concert series on July 3.

The series is free; there is no requirement to register. The full schedule can be found in the Fourth of July Souvenir Book in this issue and at fourthofjulybristolri.com.