Hello, music lovers!
This new column in your favorite magazine was ready to explore the local music scene; and on October 17th, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging, in collaboration with Forsyth Woman, Style Encore and Medaloni Cellars, presented Rosé@ Medaloni Cellars 3P Auction Fundraiser where I met and listened to Alek Ottaway Band. As Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons sang in 1963 “Oh, what a night!”
The proceeds from this fundraiser support the 3P Fund (Positive Pink Power Fund), a vital initiative started by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging seven years ago. The primary goal of the 3P Fund is to provide mammograms to women who, due to financial constraints, cannot afford this crucial screening. While health insurance typically covers preventative screenings, many women in our local community remain uninsured, causing them to delay these essential check-ups.
Back to the music scene! Everything I really needed to sustain and nourish me was at this amazing event – music, food, wine, fashion, a silent auction and a lot of generous supporters. Muscling their way into the music scene, Alek Ottaway Band brought down the house with a stunning two-set experience that transported me back in time to pure talent. A five-piece band with lead singer and acoustic guitarist Alek Ottaway was supported by his amazing team of captivating musical artists who accompanied him to perfection. With two lead guitarists, a bass and last, but definitely not least, the drummer who covers the percussion section!
Their country/folk/rock style is said to be pure country by lead vocalist Alek Ottaway. But, let me tell you, anyone that still enjoys the perfect harmonies of The Eagles or the blues folk music of John Mayer, will be mesmerized by their raw talent. Call it country if it makes you feel better, Alek!
The two leads, dueling it out and shredding the electric guitar the way it was meant to sound are fantastic artists in their own right! The bass is, as Megan Trainor would say, “all about that bass, no treble” and brings the rhythm section together along with the drummer, who is an amazing percussion artist and is literally the heartbeat of the band.
My two personal favorites of the band are 31-year-old lead electric guitarist Kyle – he is an amazing lead guitarist, and the percussionist on drums, whose name I did not catch. If you are looking to enjoy local live music the way it is meant to be heard, please find this band on the internet, and go see them live!
Be on the lookout for Alek and his band, but don’t let that name fool you as I had to learn the hard way. He does not have an email, but he says that you can follow him on @alekottawaymusic on Instagram. He is also out-and-about the surrounding areas with other musicians. But, this is the one band if you can find them playing together that you do not want to miss.
From my limited understanding of Alek Ottaway, he recently split with a band and is seeking gigs, if you can book him with his busy schedule, throughout the Lake Norman area and the surrounding counties as a soloist, as duos and with the young legends he performs with in the Alek Ottaway Band, or AOB for short. DO NOT MISS THIS BAND MUSIC LOVERS! Yes, I am shouting it to the rooftops!
Go out! Listen and support live local music! Look out for the January 2024 issue when I cover the bands performing at another event that we here at Forsyth Magazines’ sponsor called “Fizz and Beats.” All the rage is alcohol-free drinks, which I love by the way, and the zero alcohol drinks are the Fizz part of the event. The Beats part of the event features several local musical artists, and I can’t wait to report back to you music lovers!
In the meantime, get out and listen to live local music!
Happy Rockin’ & Rollin’!
Robin Shupe
