Acoustic Fridays:
Another Reason to Spend Friday Nights at the Club
Fridays @ Four is a fixture on the social scene at Savannah Lakes. Held every Friday at the River Grille, it’s a fun and informal event that helps everyone feel welcome and places a high priority on connection. What started out years ago as an effort to help new property owners feel welcome and have fun has evolved into a full-featured regular event with our tapas menu, drinks, and (weather permitting…) drinks on the patio.
The past month or so, we’ve upped the ante by including fabulous live musical performances by local residents such as Pete Shumway and regional favorites like Ashby Stokes and Keller Ridgeway (both from Greenwood, South Carolina). Throughout the summer, Acoustic Fridays has treated members and guests to favorite songs played on the guitars of Shumway, Stokes and Ridgeway.
All three are accomplished guitarists and vocalists. Their musical renditions of popular songs from different genres and eras and their unique interpretations of classics grip the audience’s attention and provide a fabulous backdrop for great conversation over appetizers, drinks or even a a full meal. Many who come for a quick meet up over tapas make an evening of it and stay for dinner!
Pete Shumway: Sticking to His Roots Even Far From Home
Shumway picked up a guitar when he was 14 after falling in love with the folk music of such musicians as The Kingston Trio, Brothers Four, John Denver, & Jim Croce. Pete’s naturally gifted ear picked up the melodies with ease and the chords with acuity. Being impatient with formal instruction, Pete was self-taught early on and has continued to hone his skills.
Eventually he was tapped to play at parties and school talent shows. When later in his professional career at the University of Georgia colleagues discovered the talent in their midst, they requested he play at conventions and various social events.
Not to be overlooked are his 5 years in Poland with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where again, weekend dinners and events at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and surrounding provinces saw him performing popular songs “from home.” Few Americans serving in the newly-opened East European countries arrived with such appreciative skills and talent.
Ashby Stokes: A Greenwood Music Scene Workhorse
Ashby Stokes is a treasure of talent also for us. His exquisite guitar playing is among the best in an area with many accomplished musicians. Stokes began playing guitar at the age of 11. He formed his first band with his brother Taylor and friend Shawn McElrath under the guidance of John McElrath, the founder of the renowned Swingin’ Medallions.
Ashby was raised in Greenwood and has not stopped playing from childhood, gaining wider and wider audiences. He is a fixture in the South Carolina musical scene.
He can be seen playing solo on stages large and not-so-large, at parties, weddings, and at events both gala and private. He appears with notables such as the Swingin’ Medallions and with Jake Bartley.
Keller Ridgeway: Spectacular Up and Coming Talent
Keller Ridgeway is a musician and singer who also hails from Greenwood, S.C. He began playing trumpet in middle school and high school band, which led him to a passion for music. In college, he took up bass and electric guitar which he continues until this day. Keller has performed in a multitude of venues around the Southeast and has shared the stage with such names as: Hack Bartley (CBMA Hall of Fame), John Ford Coley, Jake Bartley, David Hood (Alabama Music Hall of Fame), Donnie Fritts, Edwin McCain, and Josh Turner
Fridays @ Four and Tapas begins at 4:00 p.m. every Friday, and we’re continuing to include live music by Shumway, Stokes, Ridgeway and other notables beginning at 5:00. Watch NeighborLink for updates on the artists and the tapas menu that will be available. Looking like rain? Don’t stay away! The party moves inside and continues till 7:00 p.m., rain or shine.
Acoustic Fridays is just one more great reason for SLV members to plan on spending time at the club on any given Friday night — it’s the place to be! And the SLV Food & Beverage team’s tapas menu and warm hospitality will help make the evening enjoyable. We’ll see you at Fridays @ Four!
