JD Blog

American Aquarium – The Neighborhood Theater – Dec 2, 2021

It’s wild to see the progression and journey of a band. I first met BJ at Slim’s in Raleigh in the late 2000’s… In both of our wilder younger days. No one was really doing “Alt country” back then, most of us were metal dudes. I already had respect for him. It was not til years later did I realize BJ and Co had made a name for themselves. I was stoked to be involved […]

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Supperland Speakeasy with Colleen Hughes

I had the opportunity of photographing the wonderful Colleen Hughes for the latest cover of SouthPark Magazine. The article was featured around their newly opened Speakeasy at Supperland. The room tailors to intimate events for tastings and pairings. A short time later I had the pleasure of sitting in on an actual tasting with the amazing folks at Makers Mark. Full Article: Justin DriscollHello, my name is Justin Driscoll. Originally from New Jersey, I call the wonderful

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Heather Chaney - Bulleit bourbon, Johnnie Walker blended scotch, George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Crown Royal Canadian whiskey

Whiskey Wonderland

I got to be apart of an amazing shoot at The Vintage cigar bar in Southend. Ms. Larisa Yanicak got together the “women of whiskey” 🥃 for a super fun shoot. Check out my favorite brand reps and their boozy selections! Tara Baird Woodford Reserve and old forester Sarah Poole Maker’s Mark and Maker’s 46 Larisa Yanicak – Angels Envy Lara Caton – George Dickel and Blade and Bow Bourbon Heather Chaney – Bulleit bourbon,

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Mexico – Overseas Traveling During a Pandemic

I don’t like material things. I like stamps in my passport and the photos to prove it. Hence, Covid has been hell. I like to leave the US as much as possible. My very good friend invited me to Mexico 🇲🇽 why not? These American Airlines FF points are just sitting here. So a few things…. Flying during Covid is no joke. Masks on the flight the whole time, paperwork, etc. but once I got

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MIZU JAPANESE – FIRST LOOK – SOUTHPARK

Chef Michael Chanthavong really knocked this menu out of the park. He rolled out a bunch of plates for myself and editor Cathy Martin of South Park Magazine. Everything was delicious!! From meat, to seafood to veggies! At Mizu, guests can grab a seat at the counter and watch behind a glass partition as the chefs prepare dishes such as robata-grilled oysters topped with yuzu corn butter, panko and spicy aioli. Read More: Read More:

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Furnace Fest 2021 – Birmingham Alabama

Imagine stepping back in time to the early 2000’s hardcore / metalcore scene. That is exactly what Furnace Fest 2021 was. Now I can barely sit through a 4-band show anymore… Let alone a 7-hour car ride to Birmingham Alabama and 4-days of non-stop chaos. Some of the bands on this festival have not reunited in 10+ years. Not to mention some of North Carolina’s MVP royalty were on the bill (Hopesfall, Beloved, He is Legend, Bloodjinn,

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FENDER “SKY-STANG 1” BUILD

So you might have seen Kurt Cobain’s infamous “Sky-Stang” from the 1993-1994 In Utero tours. Most noticeable on the MTV “Live and Loud” performance. There were 3 of them in total. The first had a white Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, the other two were black. All three had a sonic blue finish with a red-tortoise pickguard. He also had a Fiesta Red model named “Orang-Stang” Being the nerd I am, I really wanted one of these.

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Orange Amplification, Orange Crush Pro 120, Rockerverb III

Orange Crush Pro 120w Head – Review

Alright so I am going to preference this post with the statement “I am an ALL tube British amplifier guy” however, this solid state Orange Crush Pro 120 is amazing!!  I snagged this off Facebook Marketplace for a few hundred bucks and I am blown away! I know there is a large group of Orange Amplification fans who are puresits about vintage gear and tubes… and I am cool with that. That is how I am with Marshall Amps.

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Glassjaw – Justin Beck Guitar Covers

One of my all time favorite bands over the past 20 years has been glassJAw. Justin Beck is a very interesting guitar player. He uses the guitar like an abstract painter uses a canvas. Yes, some of their riffs are technical with weird time signatures and changes; but he does not adhere to any rules. Noise is good, and it works! He is extremely innovative and these songs were fun to learn. Enjoy! Here are

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First Look – Warmack

From the recent article at South Park Magazine: Comfort-food cravings and obsessive, gotta-have-it snack attacks, while known to strike at any time, are particularly acute when approaching the bewitching hour. For Charlotte hospitality veteran and restaurateur James Nguyen, the inability to find a late-night spot in his Plaza Midwood neighborhood to satisfy longings for the foods he grew up with — piquant and earthy Vietnamese banh mi, shrimp crisps, and slow-braised pork belly rice bowls

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