Chincoteague Outlook Music Blog

Hello and welcome to the Chincoteague Outlook Music Blog

Chincoteague has quite a flourishing music scene. Everything from folk, blues, rock, chamber, bluegrass and Celtic music is played on the Island. The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance (CCA) is the ‘home of the arts on Chincoteague Island’ and coordinates many of the musical events. CCA sponsors six concerts each year through its Acoustic Music Series - 3 in the fall and 3 in the spring. For the first time this summer, CCA is introducing the “Chincoteague Unplugged” series beginning July 1 with a concert by singer/songwriter Bob Sima. “Chincoteague Unplugged” will be presented in the spirit of house concerts – just the musicians and the audience with minimal staging. CCA also brings you the popular Music at the Dock series – free concerts during the summer in Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music while the sun sets over Chincoteague Bay. Click here for a complete schedule.

Chincoteague also has its share of local musicians. One of these is the multi-talented Bill Troxler. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Bill is the Music Coordinator for the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance. He also produced the Music to Read By CD, which showcases performances by twelve Island musicians and helped raise funds to expand the Island Library.

Bill has just released a new CD Spring Tide on the Tump. The CD is a collection of tunes – including four original songs – that reflect the peaceful, airy sound of Chincoteague Island. Bill plays hammered dulcimer, hammered mbira, flute, whistle, guitar and assorted percussion. One of our favorite tunes is the Lament for a Drawbridge, which memorializes the Chincoteague icon that will soon be just a memory. For more information about the CD, click here.

Jon Richstein is the owner of Sundial Books, 4073 Main St., Chincoteague, co- coordinates the CCA Music series and co-hosts The Bucket List on WCTG.fm Tuesday evenings 10pm – midnight. 757.336.5825; www.sundialbooks.net