
Ralph Stanley—McClure
Born in McClure, Ralph Stanley got his first banjo when he was a teenager, learning to play clawhammer-style from his mother. With that foundation, and with Bill Monroe’s new bluegrass style growing in popularity, Stanley proved to be a foundational figure himself. He pioneered his own quick and crisp style of playing (“Stanley style”) and gained renown for his distinctive singing, with the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys. You’ll often hear his name preceded by “Doctor;” his contribution to the region’s musical tradition was so significant he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music by Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Dave Matthews—Charlottesville
Though Dave Matthews was born in South Africa, he’s known as one of the most significant figures in his adopted hometown of Charlottesville. Matthews moved to Charlottesville with his mother in the mid-eighties, and what followed is the stuff of legend: A weekly gig at now-defunct local venue Trax, a breakout album in "Under the Table and Dreaming", more than a dozen Grammy nominations, and a massive and loyal international following for his eponymous band. In fact, from 2000-2010, no musical act generated more in gross concert revenue -- north of $500 million in total. Not bad for a guy who used to tend bar on Charlottesville’s downtown mall.
Jason Mraz—Mechanicsville
Born and raised in Mechanicsville, Jason Mraz graduated from (and performed as a cheerleader at) Lee-Davis High School before studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and eventually making a name for himself as a musician in San Diego. His intricate wordplay and seemingly limitless vocal abilities earned him a recording contract with Elektra Records, and his 2002 album "Waiting for My Rocket to Come" propelled him to national notoriety, with "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" earning him his first hit in the Top-40. Multiple Grammy nominations and wins have followed, along with recognition for “I’m Yours” as ASCAP's 2010 Song of the Year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkTu8Y1KLs The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community -- more commonly known by the acronym SPARC -- was also part of Mraz’s journey to success. SPARC’s mission is to “profoundly influence young people’s lives through exceptional performing arts education,” and while he was still living in Richmond, Mraz spent afternoons and summers there learning and gaining confidence as a performer. And it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten his time there, as Mraz has served as Artistic Advisor for LIVE ART -- a unique program that brings together performing arts instruction and special education, culminating in a yearly mega-concert, with past performances from Mraz, k.d. lang, Sara Bareilles, Rob Thomas, and René Marie, among many others. It’s a joyful celebration in support of an excellent cause -- well worth seeing (and hearing) in person.Bruce Hornsby—Williamsburg

René Marie—Warrenton
René Marie’s is one of the most inspiring stories in Virginia’s long musical history. The jazz vocalist did perform some as a teenager in Roanoke, where she lived in the years after her family moved from her birthplace of Warrenton. But her career started in earnest decades later, when she was working at a bank and followed her son’s recommendation to get back into singing at the age of 41. Given an ultimatum by her husband to choose between singing and an abusive marriage, she followed her love for performing, going on to establish herself as one of today’s most talented and respected jazz vocalists. And she’s dedicated herself to helping others work through their own difficult circumstances by writing and performing a one-woman show about overcoming domestic abuse, and by establishing SLAM!, an online, one-on-one vocal therapy workshop that aims to help singers reconnect with their voices.