What: The Coal Men
When: Tonight, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 7:30pm
Where: Kirk Avenue Music Hall, 22 Kirk Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA
Cost: $8 each

Sometimes, the sum of something is much greater than it’s parts….this is exceptionally true when it comes to Nashville-based band, The Coal Men, who released their CD, Kids With Songs, just last summer. Now a road tested and more focused band, Kids With Songs is the product of ‘divorce, death and broken bones’ among other life changing events. This is an especially auspicious occasion, as this is also the tenth anniversary of the bands’ formation.

Featuring lead singer/guitarist Dave Coleman, drummer Dave Ray, and bassist Hitch (short for Hitchcock), The Coal Men’s music is rich, full of melody and hooks, and incredibly entertaining.  Songs that tell stories, that convey pain, love, longing, hope and hopelessness. Behind those lyrics, music that is lush and beautiful. On Kids With Songs, the hardest job is to choose the best; songs like Never Again, Almost, Kids With Songs, Nightingale remain in your head for days, Possession is sexier than hell, and tunes like Houston Memory and Farther Find Me Now just tear at your heart.

The men who make up The Coal Men are:

Dave Coleman – lead vocals/guitar

Dave Coleman is the creative vision and the dreamer of the band.  If Kris Kristofferson and Bruce Springsteen had a kid, that child would be Dave Coleman.  A graduate of Belmont College who didn’t start writing songs until his late teens, Dave is an avid songwriter with an incredibly rich voice.  He has the ability to make you see the stories he’s telling.  Unusual for a guy who grew up shy and listening to bluegrass and traditional country and then went on to get hooked on 80’s metal.  Dave is a lover of good coffee (no Starbucks, thank you), a solid handyman, and not big on really hot weather.  He’s also lucky enough to be in a band where the talent level is equal, and talented enough to write songs that make people think, ‘I know exactly what he means…..”.

Jason “Hitch” Hitchcock – bass

Described by Dave Coleman as the “benchmark in his musical world”,  Hitch is the guy everyone wants in their band.  Solid personally, and even more dependable as a bassist, Hitch is a comedian and a person who loves to build things with his hands.  Having known Dave Coleman since he was four, they’ve shared everything from GI Joe’s to the stage of the Ryman, and together since they were 12.  A natural musician, Hitch has envisioned himself on stage since the age of 9.  His bass lines are more like foundations than additions, and his playing brings to mind John Entwistle with a twang.

Dave Ray – drums

Dave Ray is the go-to man in the band.  Hitch’s partner in comedy, Dave Ray has an eye for direction, is a homeowner, and likes to be in charge of things.  He’s been playing drums since before he was a teen, taking part in high school and college ensembles, as well as garage bands.   A musician with an excellent ear, Dave often finds himself participating in the arrangements of songs as well laying down the beat.  If he could, Dave would spend some time watching the birth of jazz in NYC, and probably taking part in it as well.  Dependable and great at returning phone calls, Dave is the third long-lost brother in The Coal Men.  His playing is energetic and stylistic, easily an equal part of each song.

Okay, you’ve read about them and now you can’t wait for the show tonight and what’s better than a great show? A great show for FREE!!! If you can answer the following question correctly and be the first to email that answer to info@upupperiscope.com, you’ll win two tickets to tonight’s show. Yes, its that simple… ready, set, go!

What food does each band member resemble most? Please include the full name of the band member and the food item beside each. Hint: There are 3 band members (listed above) so you need 3 names and 3 foods. Good Luck!

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER! Congrats to Lisa Kirkwood! Have a fantastic time tonight!