Deau Eyes has won the 2023 Newlin Music Prize for the album Legacies.

The Newlin Music Prize is awarded to the best full-length album from the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area in the previous year based solely on artistic merit without regard to style or popularity. By winning, Deau Eyes receives a $1,000 monetary reward.

Released on June 10, 2022, Legacies is an impassioned record that searches for the balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. Songs convey this pursuit through sublime lyrics penned by Deau Eyes (real name Ali Thibodeau) that are enhanced by vibrant arrangements produced by Scott Lane, DJ Harrison, and Thibodeau herself at multiple local studios. By winning, Thibodeau receives a $1,000 monetary reward.

“It’s an honor to be recognized along with so many artists I admire,” said Thibodeau. “This album is dedicated to the relentless dreamer inside all of us. I hope it gives you the courage to keep putting yourself out there.”

Deau Eyes has been a fixture of Richmond’s music scene for several years, performing regularly at local venues and collaborating with other musicians and producers. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, her debut album Let It Leave was released in 2020 which introduced her vibrant brand of alt pop-rock wonder. Legacies expanded that musical style, leading to acclaim from local publications like Style Weekly and Richmond Times-Dispatch and national outlets such as Under The Radar and FLOOD Magazine. In January, Deau Eyes was named as one of the 2023 artists to watch in 2023 by NPR Music.

This is the second year for the Newlin Music Prize, named after musical prodigy, VCU professor, and performer Dika Newlin (1923-2006). A jury of more than 80 musicians, journalists, artists, photographers, and activists nominated close to 200 local albums released in the past year for this award. From there, a 12 member committee reviewed the nominations and landed on 20 albums officially under consideration for the prize. Ballots were cast by each member starting on February 13 and ending on March 17.

The 2023 Newlin Music Prize Short List was:

• Armagideon Time – Crime As Theatre
• Butcher Brown – Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey Featuring Tennishu And R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND
• Cassidy Snider And The Wranglers – A Good Heartbreak
• Deau Eyes – Legacies
• Drook – Life In Estates
• Dumb Waiter – Gauche Gists
• Erin & The Wildfire – Touchy Feely
• Justin Golden – Hard Times And A Woman
• Mackenzie Roark – Rollin’ High, Feelin’ Low
• Monday Night & Heather Grey – Soon You’ll Understand
• Ms. Jaylin Brown – Take It Easy
• No BS! Brass – Undying
• Piranha Rama – Omniscient Cloud Cover
• Radio B – Stop Looking For Noise
• Spooky Cool – Existential Pie
• Strawberry Moon – Habitual Creatures
• Timothy Bailey And The Humans – Timothy Bailey And The Humans
• T V L P A – Walk With Me
• Ty Sorrell – HomeGrown
• Tyler Meacham – Into The Fray

“The excitement for the second year of this year award was humbling,” said Newlin Music Prize executive director Doug Nunnally. “Fan engagement nearly doubled in all metrics as the local community came together to celebrate 20 exceptional pieces of art that represent the depth of Richmond’s music scene. We hope to continue this growth in the years to come so we can continue to recognize Richmond excellence while also inspiring the future.”

The Newlin Music Prize plans to announce a short list and award a winner in the first quarter of each subsequent year, as well as partner with local organizations and charities to continue to spread awareness for local music in the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area.

For more information and updates, please visit NewlinMusicPrize.com.

The Richmond Bluegrass Jam will return for its twelfth year on April 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at American Legion Post 354, on the banks of the James River in Midlothian, Va. This is the second year the Jam is being held at the American Legion Post after a previous multi-year run at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.

The free, family-friendly event features 20 of the region’s best bluegrass and Americana bands playing on multiple stages for nine straight hours, all to raise money for military veterans and their families through two local organizations: the Richmond Fisher House, a home away from home for the families of veterans and active-duty soldiers recuperating at Richmond’s McGuire Veterans Medical Center; and Liberation Veteran Services, which provides housing and care for veterans in crisis.

Fans are strongly encouraged to make tax-deductible donations to the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services at the event or online at rvabluegrassjam.com. Over the past eleven years, the event has raised more than $204,000 for the families of military men and women.

The bands—all of which play at no charge in support of the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services—include Tara Mills Band, Cary Street Ramblers, Josh Grigsby and County Line, Cook County Bluegrass, Slack Family Bluegrass Band, and more.

The event also will feature local craft beverages and Richmond’s food trucks.

“We’re excited to bring the Richmond Bluegrass Jam back to American Legion Post 354 after a successful event last year,” says Tim Gundlach, president of RVA Bluegrass Jam, Inc., the event’s organizer. “This new location along the James River is not only inspiring, but also further connects the Jam with our military community. This year, we’re expanding our support of our military veterans and their families by raising money for both the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services. We’re proud to partner with these two extraordinary organizations.”

In addition to listening to the scheduled bands, attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments. Several open jam areas will be available, as well as an instrument check station.

American Legion Post 354 is located in Midlothian, Va. Parking will be available at nearby James River High School, 3700 James River Rd., with free shuttles running throughout the day.

More information at rvabluegrassjam.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/rvabluegrassjam.

Friday Cheers, presented by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, returns May 5 for its 38th season as Richmond’s longest running concert series and the City’s largest event of its kind, showcasing some of the nation’s hottest touring bands and some all-time regional favorites. Season passes and individual tickets are available now.

The only summer concert series held along the James River, Friday Cheers draws Richmonders to picturesque Brown’s Island every week in May and June. Over the years, Friday Cheers has hosted popular groups such as the Alabama Shakes, Tyler Childers, Snarky Puppy, The Head & the Heart and hundreds of others. Friday Cheers showcases emerging headliners – some of the best bands that you may not have heard of yet. See them this summer for only $10 before their ticket prices go up!

Produced by Venture Richmond Events, the series kicks off May 5 on Brown’s Island with a stellar line-up that you won’t want to miss. With all tickets only $10 in advance and $15 at the door, it’s still the best deal in town for a concert. Children 12 and under are FREE!

2023 Concert Series Lineup

All tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door

May 5 – Snail Mail (8:00pm) with Water From Your Eyes (7:00pm) and Dazy (6:15pm)
Watch Snail Mail on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QgNwXr366Zo
Watch Water From Your Eyes on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ENlwT0YhZE4
Watch Dazy on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LpHagjwjIO0

May 12 – Sierra Ferrell (8:00pm) with Chris Leggett & The Copper Line (6:30pm)
Watch Sierra Ferrell on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2E-NAg4nH8A
Watch Chris Leggett on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hDcBnKaC3Ss

May 26 – RVA Music Night: Butcher Brown (8:20pm), Celler Dwellers  (7:15pm) and Cassidy Snider & the Wranglers (6:15pm)
Watch Butcher Brown on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/PGvbeQrwyVY
Watch Celler Dwellers on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hfunnba6yxk
Watch Cassidy Snider on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a3Ukm9OKEFc

June 2 – Sampa The Great (8:00pm) with Kenneka Cook (6:30pm)
Watch Sampa The Great on YouTube: https://youtu.be/niGrE_03xHg
Watch Kenneka Cook on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X_YT5a9z0Zk

June 9 – Watchhouse (8:00pm) with Palmyra (6:30pm)
Watch Watchhouse on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CAPJev2yOFo
Watch Palmyra on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/m4zLBAE03sc

June 16 – Tank and the Bangas (8:00pm) with Piranha Rama (6:30pm)
Watch Tank and the Bangas on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/j785RjAgfKc
Watch Piranha Rama on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9a9jyHV0ZDc

June 23 – The Vegabonds (8:00pm) with Kind Hearted Strangers (6:30pm)
Watch The Vegabonds on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/f6iSVz5dWAE
Watch Kind Hearted Strangers on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/f6fdKjtJqO0

June 30 – Flipturn (8:00pm) with Holy Roller (6:30pm)
Watch Flipturn on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/ZNS948a2nZY
Watch Holy Roller on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/LrncNzEUPoU

Advance tickets for individual shows and season passes to Friday Cheers are NOW available for purchase online at Ticketstobuy.com.

Season passes are ONLY $55 for a LIMITED TIME through March 3.On March 4, season pass prices increase to $65.

For all details on the event and to purchase tickets, visit Venture Richmond’s website. And, for more detailed information and back stories on the artists performing, visit our Friday Cheers blog. Be sure to follow Friday Cheers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitterand use #CheersRVA all season long to be a part of the conversation!

Friday Cheers is Produced by: Venture Richmond Events, LLC
Friday Cheers is Presented by: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Friday Cheers is Sponsored by: CoStar Group, Brown Distributing, NBC12, Delta Hotels,  Hurricane Fence Company, WNRN Radio, 103.7 Your Variety.