Larry Sakayama
Larry Sakayama started playing guitar when he was in high school. After playing for two months and not being able to make that F chord ring, he thought it was hopeless – until, at a school dance, he saw a classmate playing that F chord. He thought, “if that guy can do it, anyone can,” and he’s been playing and writing ever since. Larry’s playing style runs from folk to rock, jazz to classical. His songs are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but mostly irrelevant. Today, when he’s not playing a guitar, he’s making one www.blackwaterriverguitars.com. He lives with his wife, Sally, in Wirtz, VA.
Mike DeGiorgi
Mike DeGiorgi has been writing songs about life around Smith Mountain Lake since he, his wife Kay and their dog Scooter, moved there four years ago. Many area residents have heard Mike’s song, “There’s No Dancin’ At The Dudley,” a funny tune about the Dudley Mart and Franklin County laws that still prohibit dancing. Mike is also the founder of Alliance Education Group, a Maryland based training and executive coaching company. An avid vintage guitar collector, Mike is currently on guitar probation, until his wife decides to release him. Mike can be contacted at Mikedegi@aol.com. His website is http://www.AEGtraining.com/.
Randolph Walker
Randolph Walker was born in Richmond, Virginia and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His musical taste was formed by the popular music of the mid to late 60s. A singer, songwriter, arranger, audio/video producer, poet, and multi-instrumentalist, Walker has recorded a solo guitar/harmonica CD, "Across the Blue Mountains," featuring folk tunes of the British Isles along with his own compositions. With his folk-rock band he has recorded a CD, "City of Statues," featuring his own songs as well as songs by other SVSA members. Randolph's website is www.randolphwalker.com.
Frank Dieter
Frank Dieter writes and performs solo and with The Three Old Guys with Guitars, the trio including fellow SVSA members Steve Langston and Britt Mistele. Dieter has been a featured artist in numerous songwriter showcases in the Northern Virginia area and was included in the line up for the January 2009 edition of the Fredericksburg Songwriter’s Showcase at the Picker’s Supply Music Store. His song “My Parents Hands” earned Finalist honors in the 2008 VH-1 Song of the Year contest and “Fireflies in a Jar” was one of 100 Finalists from 1780 contestants in the 2008 Great American Song Contest. Neil Young chose the song “I’m An American and I Won’t Be Treated This Way” to be included on his website, Living With War Today and he has many songs posted on FolkAlley.com’s website at the Open Mic section.
Greg Trafidlo
Greg Trafidlo is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter with extensive credits as a record producer and publisher. He appears on over 50 albums and has produced over thirty releases. His songs have been performed by folk icons such as Pete Seeger, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, and recorded by numerous performers. He has performed with Bill Monroe, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton and opened for Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Kathy Mattea, John Hartford, John McCutcheon and others. His songs appear on NPR's "Car Talk" and "Dr. Demento" compilations.
Greg is Grand prize-winner of the prestigious Louisville Songwriting competition. He recently performed at the historic, Ryman Auditorium during Fan Fair in Nashville. Greg has two Wammy nominations, for best Folk Male Vocalist and Best Folk Album. Roanoke, Virginias', City Magazine, named him Music Person of the Decade. Greg's website: gregtrafidlo.com.
Eddie Williams
A native Virginian, Eddie Williams was born in Pulaski, was raised in Troutville, and now calls Rocky Mount home. He has been writing songs on and off since the fourth grade. His current focus is on writing country songs.
