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That is the magic of Mike Kavanaugh, the architect of the island’s most beloved band, JoJo Squirrell and the Home Pickles. He has played more than 6,000 shows in the Lowcountry and booked another 40,000 performances in the 25 years of his second stint on the island—our numbers, not Mike’s; his Buffalo-bred work ethic leaves little time for reflecting or self-promoting.
The middle-aged man with the dri-fit polo and five o’clock shadow looks me up and down. “You sound great, if only you would just smile for us more.” I grimace and reluctantly glance in his direction. “Thanks for the tip,” I tell him, trying not to roll my eyes. He nods and sips his beer, not catching my sarcasm. It isn’t the first time I’ve gotten this comment, and nine out of 10 times, it’s come from a man.
Despite the limitations of Covid-19, and with necessity birthing some much-needed online software tools (thank you Zoom, Audio Movers and ListenTo!), the summer and fall of 2020 ushers in the release of some brand new music projects, all produced at my studio, The Sound, located right here on Hilton Head Island.
It’s around 9 a.m. on a Monday, and musician Jevon Daly is submerged up to his shoulders in the briny waters of the May River. He’s attempting to go completely under the waves, but the floppy hood of his shark costume refuses to cooperate, jeopardizing the entire video shoot for his song, “Sharks are our Homies.”
Campfire Tyler playing his new song “Snake” at our Ridgeland shoot.
Musicians: Carrie McDowell, Bernie Fee, Jim Schroeder, Wayne Altman, and Jeff Rigg
When it comes to telling the story of the day Kimberly Cardone and Matthew McNab became man and wife, the pictures you see here will do most of the heavy lifting. You need only glance at these pages...
A Q&A with local musicians. This month’s featured artist is Candace Woodson, photographed in the bathroom at the Whiskey Room in Park Plaza.
Featuring A Quartet from The Hilton Head Shore Notes