Beaufort County Traditional Music Association

Beaufort County Traditional Music Association anticipates a renewed excitement and great audience support for the 8th Annual Don Skinner GuitarFest on Saturday, September 17, 2022. The event at the Turnage Theatre Gallery begins with BCTMA’s Saturday Morning Jam from 10-12. The GuitarFest performances run from 2:00-6:00. Featured performers include Tony Soldati, Sheila Casalett, John Benson and Landy Spain, and JD Joyner. The festival is named in memory of Don Skinner, a founding member of BCTMA and an outstanding guitarist. The raffle drawing for an acoustic Martin Guitar GPC-11E will be held at the close of the festival. Admission is free (donations appreciated). Donations support the Humane Society of Beaufort County’s Spay and Neuter Clinic. 

Since 2014, the Beaufort County traditional Music Association has sponsored the “Don Skinner GuitarFest”. It is a very popular annual event that features top guitar players, singers, and bands of Eastern Carolina. The event was first presented at the Union Alley Coffee House and then later moved to the much more spacious Turnage Theatre. Recent shows have evolved into fund-raising events for needy causes in Eastern Carolina. In 2019 the show featured musicians from the New Bern area while raising support funds for New Bern area hurricane victims. In 2020 the event featured Eastern Carolina female guitar players and singers while collecting donations for Washington’s Ruth House. 

This fun filled family entertainment is sponsored by Beaufort County Traditional Music Association and co-sponsored by Arts of the Pamlico. It is held at the Turnage Theatre Gallery, 150 West Main Street, Washington, NC

For more information, please visit BCTMA.ORG or ARTSOFTHEPAMLICO.ORG

GuitarFest Schedule 

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - BCTMA Morning Jam

Join the BCTMA regulars for their always entertaining jam session.
Set Up Break

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm: Tony Soldati

Tony Soldati is an accomplished ECU student from Lenoir, NC. He plays the guitar with a passion that will no doubt be a lifelong endeavor. He offers a fun jam full of rock and soul vibes. 

3:00-3:45:  Sheila Casalett

Sheila Casalett of Raleigh plays cozy acoustic jazz standards, musica latina, bossa nova, French cabaret and international favorites. She speaks fluent Spanish and is a former Spanish teacher.

4:00-4:45:  John Benson & Landy Spain

John Benson and Landy Spainhave played as a duo off and on since the ’90s. They now call themselves “The Ol’ Gringos” for fun. When they play songs together like “Last of My Kind” or “And It’s Still Alright,” Benson’s head has an optimistic uptilt to it, shaking lightly to express himself as he sings and plays arpeggios. Spain, with his seasoned poker face, intuitively weaves notes around Benson’s. They perform a wide variety of your favorites.  

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm: JD Joyner

JD Joyner has been one of the most popular Guitarfest performers. He has often told the BCTMA audience that “When I perform, I want to make people happy and move them emotionally ... that is my goal.” JD always wows us at this BCTMA show. His set may include well-known favorites by both classic and modern artists as well as songs written by J.D. himself.

Admission is free and donations are appreciated. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Come and go as you wish or stay for the whole show. This is a family-friendly event.