1 hr 31 min
Justin Tolley | Beats, Brews & Buddies | S3 EP4 Beats, Brews & Buddies
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- Music Interviews
Born Justin Brownlee Tolley in Central VA April 6, 1974, Justin took in a variety of early music influences from an early age including classic rock, R&B, funk and classic country and Americana genres to eventually learn piano, trombone & bass guitar and navigate his unique path and career in music.
He has arranged & written in Virginia original bands including RedLightGo 97-99 (Lexington), Mafia Track Suit 09-12 (Roanoke), while hustling the cover band circuit for 13 years with the Worx. When not booked with the Worx, always eager to meet players and play with Roanoke valley bands. With the Worx, he opened for bands including: Keith Urban, Tracy Lawrence, Trace Adkins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, to name a few. Always a proponent of moving the Roanoke scene forward, he spent the early 2000s at downtown haunts like Green Dolphin’s open mic, Martin’s, Blue5, 202, Awfuls - always up to hang and support members of the Roanoke music scene.
His move to Nashville in early 2015 continued an ever-changing career path, connecting with Jon Wysocki former drummer of Staind to make music together. Lower Broadway & midtown became the grind and networking hub amidst one of the richest musician pools on the planet. Writing, recording and touring with Jon behind Natalie Brady Band (see FB and YouTube), then following the restart of the Covid lockdown, bassist of original rock act River Ghost. (found on all streaming platforms) During his 7+ years in Nashville, he primarily toured the midwest from the Gulf up to Minneapolis, Kansas City to Key West from 2015-2019 with multiple bands. One of his favorite tours as bass player for upcoming artist Kasey Tyndall, opening for Whiskey Myers & Jamey Johnson - both huge musical influences.
Moving on from the Natalie Brady Band post Covid shutdown, he headed back to Nashville and through a shared reference met up with River Ghost, all original bluesy/ swampy-rock band akin to Crowes/ Allman/ Sabbath .. The remaining two years in Nashville was spent writing, showcasing and recording River Ghost material, while juggling steady shifts with “Loud & Co”, bending the rules with tired setlist at a time in and around Nashville, mostly in the Lower Broadway scene. Upon meeting Belgium native Kathleen Ongena in Nashville, they formed 369 Music, a Rock cover band putting hand-selected players together to gig around Nashville.
Eventually the need to relocate to Virginia came to bear since losing his father to a stroke in 2019. The decision was made in fall 2022 to return home to take care of the home place in Natural Bridge Station. Justin and Kat set up 369 Music gigs in Virginia, enlisting players in the area to round out the lineup. Follow on FB at 369 Music.
Now residing in Natural Bridge Station, Justin still pursues music when the gigs present themselves, as well as aviation - working toward his pilot license. And like the Nashville scene, willing to jump in when bands are in need of bass in the area. ‘369 Music’, is currently putting together a press kit to promote bookings, also dates on his books playing for local Kid Rock tribute act “Cowboy”.
Born Justin Brownlee Tolley in Central VA April 6, 1974, Justin took in a variety of early music influences from an early age including classic rock, R&B, funk and classic country and Americana genres to eventually learn piano, trombone & bass guitar and navigate his unique path and career in music.
He has arranged & written in Virginia original bands including RedLightGo 97-99 (Lexington), Mafia Track Suit 09-12 (Roanoke), while hustling the cover band circuit for 13 years with the Worx. When not booked with the Worx, always eager to meet players and play with Roanoke valley bands. With the Worx, he opened for bands including: Keith Urban, Tracy Lawrence, Trace Adkins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, to name a few. Always a proponent of moving the Roanoke scene forward, he spent the early 2000s at downtown haunts like Green Dolphin’s open mic, Martin’s, Blue5, 202, Awfuls - always up to hang and support members of the Roanoke music scene.
His move to Nashville in early 2015 continued an ever-changing career path, connecting with Jon Wysocki former drummer of Staind to make music together. Lower Broadway & midtown became the grind and networking hub amidst one of the richest musician pools on the planet. Writing, recording and touring with Jon behind Natalie Brady Band (see FB and YouTube), then following the restart of the Covid lockdown, bassist of original rock act River Ghost. (found on all streaming platforms) During his 7+ years in Nashville, he primarily toured the midwest from the Gulf up to Minneapolis, Kansas City to Key West from 2015-2019 with multiple bands. One of his favorite tours as bass player for upcoming artist Kasey Tyndall, opening for Whiskey Myers & Jamey Johnson - both huge musical influences.
Moving on from the Natalie Brady Band post Covid shutdown, he headed back to Nashville and through a shared reference met up with River Ghost, all original bluesy/ swampy-rock band akin to Crowes/ Allman/ Sabbath .. The remaining two years in Nashville was spent writing, showcasing and recording River Ghost material, while juggling steady shifts with “Loud & Co”, bending the rules with tired setlist at a time in and around Nashville, mostly in the Lower Broadway scene. Upon meeting Belgium native Kathleen Ongena in Nashville, they formed 369 Music, a Rock cover band putting hand-selected players together to gig around Nashville.
Eventually the need to relocate to Virginia came to bear since losing his father to a stroke in 2019. The decision was made in fall 2022 to return home to take care of the home place in Natural Bridge Station. Justin and Kat set up 369 Music gigs in Virginia, enlisting players in the area to round out the lineup. Follow on FB at 369 Music.
Now residing in Natural Bridge Station, Justin still pursues music when the gigs present themselves, as well as aviation - working toward his pilot license. And like the Nashville scene, willing to jump in when bands are in need of bass in the area. ‘369 Music’, is currently putting together a press kit to promote bookings, also dates on his books playing for local Kid Rock tribute act “Cowboy”.
1 hr 31 min