Saxaphonist Chris Doto and guitarist Matt Partain jamming out at Rocklands Farm Winery in Poolesville . Check out their calendar at : nostoplightband . com .
and millions of views on all of your songs ,” she said . “ But you can make a huge impact on someone ’ s life in an intimate setting playing music , which is what I prefer anyway . If you ’ re singing something that ’ s true to your heart , that ’ s all that matters .”
n FROM SCOUTS AND SOCCER
After that inauspicious dorm room show in Georgia , Matt Partain ’ s first truly public show , at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando , didn ’ t exactly turn out as planned . “ A lot of friends came out and it got really loud , so that was good ,” he said . “ But we all drank so much , they handed us an invoice for the alcohol at the end of the night instead of paying us . True statement .”
Partain said that playing music in front of a live audience felt relegated to his past when he moved with his wife and two sons to Maryland to take the head grounds superintendent ’ s job at the Glen- stone Museum in Potomac nearly a decade ago . Meeting Chris Doto through Boy Scouts and youth soccer games in Poolesville , however , rekindled a spark .
“ Matt ’ s unassuming , but he ’ s an all-star of a guy , a dad , and a musician ,” said Doto , a financial services professional and lifelong saxophone player who toured for
Live Music Scene Sampler
many years with the Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band , and then joined Brian Jamison ’ s band after Valaree Dickerson finally convinced Brian to sing in public . Partain and Doto jammed at a Halloween party in 2016 , and their No Stoplight duo has since been in regular rotation at Locals ’, Rockland ’ s Farm Winery , the Comus Inn , Windridge Vineyards , and just about every festival on the local calendar .
Doto said he admires people who can make a full-time living as touring musicians , and believes he could do it , too . But the Ag Reserve lifestyle suits him just fine .
“ Musician is a pretty tough , tough career ,” he said . “ But , for me , I can raise my family in a great community and play music with a great guy . My ultimate plan is to is to retire and play music as my retirement occupation . But , right now ? I have the best of both worlds .”
Paul Tukey is an award-winning journalist who serves at the Director of Regional Partnerships for the Glenstone Museum .
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