First Thursdays Songwriters Round with Bruce Hildebrand, Jessie Paige, and John Vassar Powell
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We are excited to announce a monthly Nashville style songwriters' round! Three songwriters will share a stage, trading original songs and the stories behind them. Live broadcast from the iconic 3rd Street Coffeehouse! If you would like to be featured in a First Thursdays lineup, submit recordings or links of two original songs to Mona at [email protected]
All genres welcome!
July Songwriter Bios:
Bruce Hildebrand, a rock n’ roller since high school, discovered acoustic folk and blues music in the mountains of West Virginia during his college years. After moving to New York’s Hudson Valley, Bruce was a frequent performer at upstate New York music events as lead guitarist with a folk rock band, an Americana band, and several singer-songwriters.
Now that Bruce has relocated to southwest Virginia, he enjoys performing blues, folk, and ragtime as well as his own compositions solo at open mics and smaller local venues. Some of his biggest influences include Jorma Kaukonen, David Bromberg, Dave Van Ronk, and Eric Clapton. He also relishes every opportunity to accompany &/or jam with the many excellent musicians in the southwest Virginia area.
Jessie Paige is an electrifying artist from Roanoke, Virginia. Blending a variety of genres, ranging from anthemic Pop-Punk to raw acoustic Folk-Punk, her aggressive but introspective song writing embodies the spirit of socially conscious, rebellious angst. With her dark, yet melodic originals like “Chrysalis” and “C’est la Vie” she has quickly become a prominent musician in the open mic scene, and will be performing at Old Southwest PorchFest 2026, in Roanoke.
John Vassar (JP) Powell is a singer-songwriter who grew up in Fincastle, Virginia and started playing guitar at age 7. He began writing songs for various college bands in Baltimore when he attended UMC. He studied under Grammy nominated Producer, Lawrence Hoffman for several years. JP has opened for various artists at the Royal in Baltimore, including Caitlyn Carry of Whiskey Town. He is a member of the SVSA and has written over 500 songs. His songs have been characterized as Alternative Country but contain elements of country, rock, jazz, folk, and blues. He writes about life, liberty, love, heartache, adventure, and family.
All genres welcome!
July Songwriter Bios:
Bruce Hildebrand, a rock n’ roller since high school, discovered acoustic folk and blues music in the mountains of West Virginia during his college years. After moving to New York’s Hudson Valley, Bruce was a frequent performer at upstate New York music events as lead guitarist with a folk rock band, an Americana band, and several singer-songwriters.
Now that Bruce has relocated to southwest Virginia, he enjoys performing blues, folk, and ragtime as well as his own compositions solo at open mics and smaller local venues. Some of his biggest influences include Jorma Kaukonen, David Bromberg, Dave Van Ronk, and Eric Clapton. He also relishes every opportunity to accompany &/or jam with the many excellent musicians in the southwest Virginia area.
Jessie Paige is an electrifying artist from Roanoke, Virginia. Blending a variety of genres, ranging from anthemic Pop-Punk to raw acoustic Folk-Punk, her aggressive but introspective song writing embodies the spirit of socially conscious, rebellious angst. With her dark, yet melodic originals like “Chrysalis” and “C’est la Vie” she has quickly become a prominent musician in the open mic scene, and will be performing at Old Southwest PorchFest 2026, in Roanoke.
John Vassar (JP) Powell is a singer-songwriter who grew up in Fincastle, Virginia and started playing guitar at age 7. He began writing songs for various college bands in Baltimore when he attended UMC. He studied under Grammy nominated Producer, Lawrence Hoffman for several years. JP has opened for various artists at the Royal in Baltimore, including Caitlyn Carry of Whiskey Town. He is a member of the SVSA and has written over 500 songs. His songs have been characterized as Alternative Country but contain elements of country, rock, jazz, folk, and blues. He writes about life, liberty, love, heartache, adventure, and family.
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Where is it happening?
3rd Street Coffeehouse, 305 Mountain Ave SW,Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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