The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer free Acoustic concerts of all original music. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved indoors depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who perform their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music a coming together of blues, roots, folk and country.
Joe Virga is a founding ACMA member. Joe Virga Joe’s unwavering support as much as his great voice and songwriting skills. Joe Virga Learned to play Guitar while serving his country on a helicopter carrier during the Vietnam war. Upon his return he began playing in the Greenwich Village at the legendary Folk City (Gurdies). He learned about the music cooperative while there and became a member. The coop became a Mecca for the second folk music scene in New York City. Its membership included such performers as Susan Vega, Rod McDonald, Michelle Shocked, Christine Laven, John Gorka, Cliff Eberhart, David Roth, Dave VonRonk, Hugh Blumenfeld and Mark Dan. You can buy Fast Folk Magazine CD’s on line featuring these people performing separately or in often cases together. Everyone in the coop would often play together on each others recording or live and it was a great time. Tragedy struck Joe at this time when his wife passed away and was left with two small children to raise. Years later when his children were older he began singing with Burgers & Mayo in the NY area this band featured the late great Bob Mayo. Joe is a writer and guitar player and a great lead and background vocalist
A little about Bill Metts: “I started playing guitar when I was 19 during the country blues revival of the late 60s. I fell in love with the music of Taj Mahall, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and others of that ilk. Just about everything that I have done since then has been in that down home finger-picking style. I had the honor of being asked to perform at the annual Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival in Avalon Ms. in 2011. All types of music move me I but prefer to play and sing traditional Americana roots music.”
Bruce Gallant has been writing songs for over 30 years. His songs reflect the different times in his life, And he considers them his journal. Bruce played in several original music bands And performed at many events. Bruce, along with his wife Cecile have 2 CD’s “Her and ME” and “Living in Paradise”. Currently Bruce dedicates himself to Hope By Song And has written over 50 songs for HBS