This Sunday, we're sharing a playlist that pairs perfectly with a strong cup of coffee! We have a wonderful playlist featuring a wide variety of genres from soft melodies to soulful songs to country tunes, all from our GDPI program partners and local musicians. Brew yourself a nice cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy all of these beautiful songs from local artists!
In 2020, our Programs Department was forced to cancel over 50 FREE concerts due to the public health crisis surrounding Covid-19, along with the cancellation of the other 400+ programs we had planned for the community this year. We are hopeful that in Spring 2021, Greensboro Downtown Parks will be able to return to in-person programming. In the meantime, we're bringing you this new blog series - Park Arts Playlists - a new playlist every week, featuring music from artists that either have performed at the downtown parks before or who would have performed this year.
If you're interested in helping us do more to support artists and creative engagement in our community, please consider becoming a donor and contributing to our $10K in 10 Weeks Campaign.
1. You and Me (Demo) by NathanRyan: Enjoy this playful song from folk-rock musician NathanRyan. NathanRyan is known for creating songs adults can enjoy, but with messages that are appropriate for children. After his first child was born in 2013, Nathan shifted his musical focus to start writing songs for his son and to create music that families can enjoy together. You and Me features soft female vocals and a picked guitar melody, making it the perfect song to wake up to as you brew a pot of coffee!
2. Tea for Two by J Timber: J Timber is a pop, rock, and soul artist, originally from Queens, NY, but now residing in Greensboro. This song from J Timber's EP Self-Titled has a little jazzy feel and a fun energy that will make you want to sing along.
3. Raise You Up by Doug Davis and Solid Citizens: Based in Winston-Salem, Doug Davis is a talented guitarist, singer, and prolific songwriter. Raise You Up is a song from Doug Davis's collaborative album with Solid Citizens, The River Running Slow. The combination of Davis' strong, soulful vocals, strumming electric guitar, and driving drum beat create the perfect folk-rock tune for you to listen to on a Sunday morning.
4. Wake Up (Live) by NathanRyan: Wake Up is another fun song from NathanRyan with strummed guitar and light-hearted lyrics that listeners of all ages will enjoy!
5. Strong Cup of Coffee by Admiral Radio and Chris Titchner: Becca Smith and Coty Hoover were inspired to begin their musical duo, Admiral Radio, after finding a dusty wooden radio in the back of an antique shop. This is a powerful and soulful song by Admiral Radio that will draw you in as you sip your own strong cup of coffee.
6. No Worries On My Mind by Andy Squint: With his bottleneck slide guitar,singer/songwriter Andy Squint brings a taste of Louisiana blues and Americana to his music. No Worries On My Mind showcases Andy Squint's soulful, storytelling lyrics and the twang of his classic slide guitar.
7. Wake Up by Dropping Julia: Lead singer Emily Kresky exudes soulful sass through her storytelling songs. Combined with Sean Bracken (drums), Sam Passe (guitar), Alex Bragg (guitar) and Sebastian Nikischer (bass), Dropping Julia's style is a mixture of mellow and dreamy yet upbeat and funky music. Wake Up is a song with moody, soulful lyrics, electric guitar, thumping bass, and a driving drum beat that will definitely wake you up!
8. Didadi by Africa Unplugged: Africa Unplugged is dynamic band that uses traditional instruments from West Africa and musical inspiration from around the world. Sit back and enjoy the soft beat, soulful vocals, and beautiful harmonies that are sweeter than honey in Didadi by Africa Unplugged.
9. Better Days by Jujuguru: Jujuguru is a talented blues-rock band from Central North Carolina known for their soulful sound. Enjoy the rhythmic guitar and unique vocals in Better Days from Jujuguru, reminding us all that there are better days still to come.
10. Coffee Stained Piano by Bruce Piephoff: Bruce Piephoff began his music career in the late 1960s while he was a student at UNC-Chapel Hill. Piephoff's music is firmly rooted in the Appalachian tradition of story-songs and character portraits. Easily touching both the shores of folk music and poetry with simple, compelling imagery and subtle depth, Piephoff’s unassuming voice, ringing with wit and sincerity, steals the show.
Happy listening! Don't forget to check back next Sunday for more songs by local artists and GDPI partners!