Friday June 26, 2020 Florida experienced another setback as Florida’s governor Ronald DeSantis shut down the states bars by banning the sale of alcohol, thus reversing phase two to certain businesses. By doing so, the bars that host live music had to cancel shows. Without the liquor revenue, there is no way to pay the artists that perform in local bars. Brews N Blues in Saint Cloud, Florida wasn’t targeted by DeSantis as they possess a restaurant license and have food revenue and were not targeted by the unfair mandate. All Music Magazine’s Mark Horan of MarkHoran.Pictures was on hand to take in the scheduled entertainment.
The venue was seen taking all the mandated precautions; servers and bartenders were wearing masks, the tables were properly spaced six feet apart, and sanitizing of the tables was occurring upon each guest leaving. I arrived at 8:30pm and the band was on break between sets. The night’s entertainment was David Julia and Friends. This would be my second David Julia show. My first was at this same venue in 2018.
David Julia is a child prodigy and at the young age of 19 and has the resume of musicians twice his age. David’s first gig was at seven years old, with his first paying gig at age ten. From regionally touring to competing in the Memphis-based Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge four years in a row, David Julia is an up and coming force in the country’s blues scene. Just recently, David has qualified for “The 10 Under 20 Contest a designed to showcase the BEST young guitarist” being held in Dallas Texas September 25-27, 2020.
David Julia has recorded an EP “Simple Things” and an LP “Inspired” to date. “Inspired” was produced by blues great Mike Zito. The motivation of the LP was to pay homage to those artists that helped and encouraged David at the start of his young blues journey. Along with six original tunes, Julia covers songs from by J.P. Soars, Michael Burks, Tab Benoit, Albert Castiglia and Matt Schofield on the album. Blues Blast Magazine reviewed the album and concluded, “There is plenty to admire on this disc which shows a young man who must surely have a great future in the blues. The CD is therefore well worth a listen.”
With that said, I judge an artist by their ability to project their inner soul through the music and move me as a listener and age isn’t a requirement. David Julia does that in his tones and riffs while playing his originals or covering the greats like Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan. For authentic blues, David Julia and Friends are worth a night out to enjoy, feel and living the music. This young man already shows the talent and fortitude for greatness.
Band:
David Julia – Guitar
Chris Aranas – Bass
Brian Menendez – Drums
David Julia “Empty Promises”
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
