The ACMA is pleased to welcome back Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield to open our 2020 music season. There’s a special story behind the connection with them and the ACMA. Just ask us! Beyond that they always bring a wonderful vibe and special music to our stage. Here’s a bit about the duo:
Troubadour and formerly syndicated cartoonist Roy Schneider has developed a devoted fan base for his flavor of Americana music since 2008, through international radio airplay and consistent touring with life-and-stage partner Kim Mayfield. Known in festival circles as the Reckless Saints, Schneider and Mayfield have brought their musical blend of the gritty, fun, soulful and sweet to delighted audiences across the USA and abroad, exploring and expanding their musical horizons with every performance.
Schneider’s songs have earned praise in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition (TX), Telluride Blues & Brews Acoustic Blues competition (CO), and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist showcase (NY). The duo has performed official showcases at Folk Alliance conferences in New York, Austin TX and Asheville NC. Other notable venues include Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe, Northern England’s MAD Fest, and season 5 of NBC’s The Voice.
Also a gifted accompanist, Schneider has performed with John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Joe Craven (Garcia/Grisman), folk icon Tom Paxton, Stevie Coyle (The Waybacks), Freebo, Buddy Mondlock, Gove Scrivenor and many others.
“[Schneider’s] gift for blending Southern-influenced folk, blues, country, and rock into a seamless genre with his own signature sound demonstrates his connection to the best in the tradition of fine wake-me-up and kick-me-in-the-ass roots music.” ~ No Depression
Opening for Schneider/Mayfield is a group of musicians who also have a special connection to the ACMA and their own story behind it. Just ask them! Here’s a bit about the band.
The band is comprised of Bob Williams, Mike McMllan, Bill Veach and Clark Johnson. This band is made up of all ACMA members. They perform regularly on Fort Myers Beach.
Bob Williams: In the late sixties, Bob Williams, a young guitar player from Long Island, NY, began writing his own music. Pulling elements from Folk-Rock and Country-Rock, Bob created a sound all of his own. Always eager to share amusing stories behind the lyrics, Bob’s songs are personal. Irreverent. Funny. Sad. And most importantly, true to his heart. With encouragement from family and friends, he produced and released his first CD No Apologies in 2015. In 2018 he released his second Album, Ain’t Sorry Yet.
Mike McMillan: Started playing guitar at age 13. He enjoys many different genres which has also influenced his original compositions. Keith has been both a band leader and a sideman and enjoys backing others on guitar and vocals when the opportunity presents itself. Keith also has a passion for writing, co-writing, arranging, recording and performing original music.
Bill Veach was a drummer in a rock band in college, but guitars are easier to move and make for better neighbors so he spent $100 of his precious college beer money on a flame red acoustic guitar. Moving was a part of his life for years, with a love of travel that is expressed in many of his songs. His songs are often autobiographical, about his experiences, travel, love, loss and some characters he has met on his journey. Bill is a Western boy, raised in Colorado and lived in Utah and Wyoming before becoming a full time resident of Fort Myers Beach. He became active writing songs as part of the Cheyenne Guitar Society in Wyoming and finds inspiration in the camaraderie of the ACMA Singer Songwriter Circle on Sundays. Bill has never met a genre he didn’t like
Clark Johnson
Born in NYC at a very early age. Picked up bass in 7th grade (Beatles, etc.). Blues bands all through college. Rock/Folk most of the rest of the time. Since moving to FL, play in bluegrass and country bands.
It will be an awesome time so please join us as we sail into 2020 with a full year of great music ahead!