Oyster Shoals Music Hall: Quality vibes nearby

Although the venue will host Smitty Smith & The Rhythmatics on May 3, its signature event—Oyster Shoals’ third annual Seafood Boil—on May 11 launches the 2024 season (see sidebar below). This season’s artist line-up is eclectic and includes everything from honky tonk and blues to classic rock and folk.

Tayloe Emery and his partners in Oyster Shoals—master carpenter Richard Taylor and restaurateur Andy Beale—have created a comfortable, affordable gathering place for music lovers of all genres to enjoy quality talent.

For years, Emery hosted bluegrass shows at his home, historic Mount Airy in Richmond County. He was approached by the Warsaw town manager four years ago to help organize a music show for Warsaw’s Christmas Town celebration. 

“I was going to have it outside and he said, ‘we have a space the town owns’,” said Emery. 

Over the Years

The building, which Emery says has “gone through various uses” over the years once served as a car dealership, antique store and storage for old vehicles, but seems to have found its niche-use as a music venue. Its rustic charm makes visitors feel like they’ve stumbled into a friend’s garage for an impromptu jam session. But that’s far from the case. 

“The room itself has a really good, natural sound so we were lucky we didn’t have to do much in terms of [acoustics],” said Emery. “There’s a clean sound coming from the stage. In fact, all of the bands who’ve come, they say they can’t believe the good sound coming from that building.”

The Christmas ‘funk show’ was a hit and the “sound was great,” said Emery, who decided he wanted to lease the building and the rest is the Shoals’ brief history.

Taylor knocked down a wall that went down the middle of the building and the wood was refashioned into a bar for serving drinks and food in one corner and to build a stage in the other. Pre-show food and drink is provided by Beale, who owns nearby Old Rapp Taphouse and Brewery.

“We decided we’ll get great bands that people would have to drive an hour or so to see,” said Emery. “We’re trying to create some really cool shows.

“But more importantly people like a really good hang, a place to hang out with friends and relax. And I think that’s what we’ve got here,” he added.

Although the building is heated, the trio hasn’t hosted shows during the cooler months of January, February and March. But they hit the ground running come May. Cooled by large fans and by opening the big bay doors when weather permits, the building can also get rather warm during Virginia’s humid summer months. Hence, the evening start times. “We also take August off because it’s so hot our fans can’t do it.”

Showtime

During a show, it’s all hands on deck. Family members pitch in to help greet guests, scan tickets, serve or add additional seating. They have seating for about 75% of the audience and people are welcome to bring their own chairs. 

“We’re running around the whole time making sure everyone is enjoying their experience,” said Emery. “We want the attendees to feel like they’re all a VIP. That’s the vibe we’re trying to give off.”

They also cater to the performers. “We want them to be happy and feel special too,” he said.

The venue, especially with the doors open, can host several hundred people.

With standing-room only shows like Cash Unchained—a Johnny Cash tribute—and its Elvis tribute band, the Shoals is growing in popularity. The big show on tap this season is Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty tribute on June 1. There’s talk of The Dryes returning to Warsaw, said Emery. The Nashville recording artists and stars of NBC’s “The Voice” performed there in 2023.

For $10 a ticket, visitors can hear the classic rock and funk sounds of Smith’s band, which has a five-night summer residency at the Shoals. There’s also hopes to eventually have a New Year’s Eve party there. And this year’s Christmas Town concert, featuring a country band, will again be held inside Oyster Shoals.

“We’re a listening and learning experience first,” said Emery, although visitors are encouraged to get up and dance if the music moves them.

“We want to offer a quality sound with quality artists for a quality experience,” he said.

Upcoming Events at Oyster Shoals

Smitty Smith & The Rhythmatics Summer Residency Friday nights this summer.

• May 3, 6-10 p.m.
• May 17, 6-10 p.m
• June 7, 6-10 p.m.
• June 21, 6-10 p.m.
• July 12, 6-10 p.m.

Other shows:

• May 11, 5-10pm: Texas Blues Seafood Boil with The Bobby Thompson Band
• June 1, 6-10pm: Full Moon Fever-Tommy Petty Tribute
• June 22, 6-10pm: Honky Tonk with Lassister & The Weeds
• July 6, 6-10pm: Honky Tonk with Ramona & The Holy Smokes
• July 20, 6-10pm: Grateful Jed-The Ultimate DEAD Experience

Oyster Shoals Texas Blues Seafood Boil

Crabs, shrimp, corn and all the fixings of a Chesapeake Bay seafood boil will be paired with some blues and rock for an evening of fun at the third annual Oyster Shoals Texas Blues Seafood Boil from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, May 11.

The legendary DC artist Bobby Thompson Band will bring Texas blues to the stage. Thompson is a master guitarist and vocalist who spent his early days in the historic blues clubs of Washington, D.C., where he drew inspiration from the likes of Bobby Parker. Having established himself as a highly sought-after supporting musician, Thompson eventually made the leap to pursue a solo career, going on to release seven albums since 2011. He draws inspiration from legendary figures such as Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr. and Mississippi John Hurt.

Old Rapp Taphouse owner Andy Beale and Chef Kay Campbell will offer guests a taste of the bay. Chef Kay’s Famous Chesapeake Seafood boil bags come with a hodgepodge of local seafood including shrimp, crawfish, scallops, clams and mussels with local corn and sausage.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 with the seafood boil dinner and $20 without dinner.

For tickets, call 804-313-0815 or visit oystershoals.ticketleap.com.