UAC to host a rocking evening

The Union Alley Coffeehouse will depart from its usual traditional music fare this weekend with an infusion of southern rock.

Saturday night, Steel Kickin’ guitarists Dale Brantley and Chuck Meyer, accompanied by Brantley’s daughter Holly, will perform at the music venue tucked in the back of the Inner Banks Artisans’ Center on Main Street in Washington. It’s not their normal gig — usually they’re rocking it out, completely electric, but for this performance, they’ll take the volume down a peg or two for an acoustic version of the sets played with bassist, drummer and another guitarist.

Along with Brantley’s original songs, they’ll throw some Pink Floyd, Eagles and Allman Brothers in to the mix.

“It’ll be a variety and it’s going to be done right,” said Bob Daw, who will be presenting the band Saturday night. “All us pickers have wrote about 40 songs, but (Brantley’s) got eight or nine that are just great songs.”

Daw has known the band members for decades — they all, at some point, worked at the global automotive supplier Cooper Standard in Goldsboro, from which Daw retired.

“I hired Chuck Meyer when Chuck had long hair and was playing in rock bands in Raleigh,” Daw laughed. But Daw, also a musician, has great musical respect for his former coworkers.

“Chuck Meyer is the best guitar player in the world,” Daw said. “He’s just that good.”

Daw said that Steel Kickin’ is comprised of great musicians, but the band members are playing for fun — other priorities take precedence in their lives.

“They’re family guys. They’re mature, responsible people, but they could be in New York just making a killing — they’re that good,” Daw said.

Saturday night’s show will also give Holly Brantley a chance to take the stage in her debut performance. Daw describes the 16-year-old as a younger version of Taylor Swift, who just recently let on that she had her dad’s talent.

“We didn’t know. She just kind of sat in the background and all of a sudden, six months ago, she hopped in singing and playing ukulele,” Daw laughed. “She is just dynamite.”

Saturday night’s performance is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cover charge is $5, which will benefit the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association. Inner Banks Artisans’ Center is located at 158 West Main Street, Washington, 252-975-2223.