Memorable Gigs

Enjoy a stroll down memory lane, 1990-2009.

1990, 1991 – Fair Lawn High School auditorium, NJ
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“This is where it all started. I remember belting Baba O’Reilly, Heartbreaker, and a slew of other covers for over a thousand people at two different charity concerts. My senior year, the principal of the school gave me a pass that basically exempted me from class so that I could protect my voice for the concert. I also sang in a play here (the only of my career). I was a singing, dancing pizza delivery man.”

1991 – Obsessions Nightclub, NJ
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“This place was so sleazy…the neon light sign ushering in fans, teased hair and cavarichis everywhere, etc. My band Any Tyme was supposed to open for Kansas and instead got some loser hair metal band.”

1991 – CBGB, New York City
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“Never thought I’d play this place at such a young age (18). Got three songs – probably three more than deserved. Weird stage.”

1992 – Kahootz, Richmond VA
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“Played this joint a bunch of times as lead singer for Typhoid Mary. Usually opening for a local act called Zag Man Zig – a high-energy, Red Chili Peppers kind of band. Closed the place for good as opening act for the great Joan Jett.”

1993 – gazebo on the lake, University of Richmond VA
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“First time I sang and played guitar on one of my own songs – Blue Set Free was the tune. Midnight Expressions was the name of the event. It was freezing outside, my hands began to bleed on my acoustic guitar and I barely could form the chords I had used in writing the song. I was still learning how to play the guitar parts and did not complete the performance as planned – yikes!”

1993, 1994 – Heilman Hall, University of Richmond VA
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“At the end of a karaoke contest (one of several cash events I won in my four years at college) I was asked to sing Prince’s Kiss. I remember getting housed by several staffers from the kitchen and food line. We all went with it and created quite a scene. I think I jumped up on a table and kicked over some chairs.”

1995 – Baltimore Arena, Baltimore MD
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“Now called the 1st Mariner Arena. Performed the National Anthem in this storied arena before a sporting event. They forget to roll the carpet for me. Put in a solid rendition just the same.”

1995 – North Court Recital Hall, Richmond VA
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“Great acoustics. Room with high ceiling and thick curtains to deaden the sound. Used primarily for chamber and symphony concerts.”

1996 – Twisters, Richmond VA
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“Punk joint and a strange place for 9Divine to play. People just stared up at us for most of our set – like the crowd before the title track was performed in the movie Purple Rain. Busted a string on our closer, Formal Apology, and earned an applause.”

1997, 1998 – The Lost Sock, Richmond VA
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“Laundromat that featured singer/songwriter performances. First solo show as 9Davine (changed named to get more unique Google rankings). Performed Wisteria among songs.”

2000, 2001, 2002 – Cafe Toulouse, Washington DC
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“We played a bunch of shows in the former Cafe Lautrec building. We rented the third floor and threw private parties that spilled onto the roof. Also played the first floor cafe, where people danced across the bar.”

2001 – 48-Hour Film Festival, Washington DC
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“Played the inaugural event for this now famous international film festival. Contributed to the writing of B, a ridiculous short film about the career of failed superhero named Booyah. I played the part of his evil nemesis, Silver Cloud. Contributed Nicolette and one other song to the soundtrack.”

2001 – Women in Military Service for America Memorial,
Arlington Cemetary / Arlington VA
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“Sang America, The Beautiful a capella to commence the annual dinner program of the American Institue of Architects. The dinner was held just days after the 9/11 tragedy, just a few miles from the Pentagon crash site.”

2002 – Ballou Senior High School, Washington DC
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“Sang America, The Beautiful again to commence a 9/11 remembrance led by then District Mayor Anthony Williams and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. Outdoor performance, accompanied by Ballou’s music teacher on piano.”

2005 – Carpool, Arlington VA
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“CD release event for eLOVE record. Attended by a private list of 100, packed into a small room. Performed Connect With Me and two other songs. The record looped in the room all night prior to the short set.”

2006 – Old Town Theatre, Alexandria VA
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“One of my favorite stages to date. Large capacity auditorium, historic architecture, high ceiling, comfortable stadium-type seating. Performed as the feature artist on a weekly basis.”

2007 – Cafe Iota, Arlington VA
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“Small room with a big reputation. This place was put on the map through a scene on the TV show, The West Wing. I remember playing Obsidian Dawn among songs.

2006 – Oasis on the Waterfront, Washington DC
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“Performed here for the first two rounds of the Capital Star talent contest. Nice stage and dance floor. Great crowd the two nights I was there. R&B acts like John Legend frequented the calendar. Played Naked April Fools and Without the Same Polaris. Videos available on YouTube.”

2007 – Oasis on the Occoquan, Woodbridge VA
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“Performed here for the last three rounds of the Capital Star talent contest. Played Sting, Twisted Vine, Telephone Ring, Papa Gotta New Gun, and Tempted here. Finished in third place and co-produced the grand prize winning act.”

2007 – DC9 Nightclub, Washington DC
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“Like Twisters, another odd venue to have played. Crowd was pretty hype. Tiny stage and muddy sound plagued the performance.”

2007 – Jammin’ Java, Washington DC
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“Played a series of nights here as feature on the H3Festival tour. Known as one of the best sounding rooms in the state of VA – perhaps jewel of the entire Mid-Atlantic region.

2009 – Stay tuned for a series of house parties – this summer through winter!