1 Year Anniversary; Bands On Fire Summer 2022

A year into scoping out the local music scene and bringing you the best of what we could find has been an honor and adventure. We’re coming full circle with some bands who’ve got grit, resilience and a whole lot of heart. 

Most musicians at any level of their career will tell you they do it because they love it. With constant dates on the calendar to make ends meet, the pressure to fill rooms, and lack of health insurance it’s easy for minor problems to get real serious real quick. Here are some artists who rose above medical mishaps that would easily have made anyone give up, with help from their community, and the passion to continue picking up their instruments to spread excitement and movement through music.

(photo courtesy of official website)

Christine Havrilla -  HavrillaPolooza3

Local legendary guitar player and singer-songwriter Christine Havrilla has built an amazing circle of friends around her and they come together year after year for HavrillaPolloza. This DIY annual show and fundraiser was created to support her in her battle against cancer and raise money for others. The event is an enthusiastic evening of love and celebration including a special performance by Christine herself, raffles, 50/50, an auction, and food trucks. Proceeds not only go directly to Christine Havrilla, but also The Tunnell Cancer Center at Beebe, and Music Happens. This past August was their third annual event held at Frantic Frets, a music and antique shop in Milton, and they reported that they exceeded their goal of $10,000 and helped raise almost $15,000! For Christine Havrilla tour dates, music, and more information, visit her website.

(Photo Credit Jane Therese)

Bruce Anthony - The Comeback of a Lifetime

Acoustic jazz and blues duo Bruce & Sam are statewide favorites in Delaware and for good reason. The way they compliment each other through music and personality is infectious and draws a crowd time and time again. When word got out in June that Bruce Anthony, the charismatic singer and guitar player, had suffered a stroke, it didn't take long for the community to rally around him. Local politician and fellow musician James Spadolla started a Gofundme campaign to help pay for Bruce’s medical and daily expenses while he recovered and was unable to perform. The Gofundme page spread like wildfire online, with fans, friends, and family telling personal accounts of how the artist had personally touched and enhanced each of their lives. 

Bruce was discharged from the hospital in July and despite the uncertainty of the possible lasting effects of the stroke, began his mission to get back on the stage and spread joy. He posted pieces of his journey back to playing condition on his Facebook page with snippets of him playing guitar, and finally after just two months with his “road dog” Sam Nobles by his side, made his re-entry into the world of music with a love-filled set at Bellefonte Cafe in Wilmington on September 1st. For a list of Bruce & Sam events, follow them on Facebook.

Cosmic Guilt - Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

If you’ve turned on WXPN 88.5 at all this year then you’re sure to be familiar with supergroup Cosmic Guilt. This big band has been giving it their all since the moment of conception, releasing song after hit song throughout the year and winning the hearts of audiences time and time again on big lineups, headlining this years Shady Grove Music Fest, NON-COMM and the main stage at XPonential Music Festival on the Camden Riverfront. Bass player and Delaware native Tyler Yoder, also of Milieu Lust, Rew, Russy, opened up on his social media after Cosmic Guilt’s killer performance on XPoNential Fest’s main stage about his journey with his recent open heart surgery. He writes in a post “Beyond thankful for the motivation and purpose that my community as a whole provides me to keep pushing forward through this continued recovery process, both mentally and physically.” To see Tyler play bass in any iteration or band is to watch a man truly loving what he does with people he loves. To keep up with show dates, listen to their music and more, follow them online.