Tina Eno

Music in the Mountains

I always feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I get to play music in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Earlier in September of this year, that’s exactly what I did. I performed at an old haunt – Mica’s Restaurant. Mica’s was my musical and community home during my days living in the Cashiers area. Some of my very best musical gigging memories occured at Mica’s. In the summertime I’d play outside on the deck. It would get so damp with dew, my guitar would be soaking wet. Early on there was a fire pit right on the deck, surrounded by rocking chairs. Families and friends would gather around that fire and roast marshmallows and place them between Chips Ahoy cookies. Its fair to say there were a fair amount of alcoholic beverages consumed around that firepit, too. In the winter time, I’d play inside the small bar area, right in front of the fireplace. The bar was narrow and intimate and again, my memories of singing there every Friday night bring me so much joy. Mica’s was home to everyone in that small community. We even sang Christmas carols together there after the Cashier’s Christmas Parade. It was a special time in my life. Renovations came about extending Mica’s outdoor deck and covering it. It’s a lovely space with a large fireplace at one end. The interior of the restaurant was updated and new owners took over during this past year. There have been lots of changes. Because that’s what happens when 10 years go by.

I was grateful to have George Reeves accompany me for this show. I first met George when I booked his band Hurricane Creek for an event at the country club where I worked. Hurricane Creek was a popular group in Cashiers and Sapphire Valley starting well before my arrival there in 2012. I always admired George’s guitar playing. But in addition to that, George and I performed in a couple of songwriter shows together. He’s extremely talented and the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. He and his wife Deb live in that Asheville perimeter these days and George is busy playing guitar around town. Good for them.

If you visit the mountains and you don’t get outside and walk around, shame on you. My daughter Emily and I hiked to Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park. That is one of my favorite ways to spend a day. The weather was beautiful, and we were in a lush forest with tiny hits of color reminding us that fall was on the way. It was a great mountain weekend and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to do it. In fact, I’m already brainstorming a return trip.

Little Sister

Life has a funny way of putting you where you’re supposed to be. It truly is a journey. I went from playing solo gigs, to joining up with Michael McKee, a talented guitar player, to my current musicial partnership with Marcy Brenner. Marcy and I met while performing at a Florida open mic about 10 years ago. We immediately hit it off – as if we knew we’d be friends. She was living in North Carolina at the time. Eventually her journey brought her to the Space Coast. It turns out both of us grew up in Northern Virginia, the youngest of three girls in our families. Marcy is an exquisite songwriter. She gathers ideas and delivers them with eloquent prose. She’s a multi-instrumentalist. I have yet to find an acoustic instrument she doesn’t play. Together we’ve formed a new duo called Little Sister. We are both singing, I play guitar. Marcy plays mandolin and Cajon. We’re just getting started now having three professional gigs under our belt.

Sonic Waves Music Festival 2024

Michael and I were invited to kick off WFIT’s Sonic Waves Music Festival. It was an evening of all original music. The festival was held at Intracoastal Brewing Company in Eau Gallie on Saturday, April 13th. The festival featured music by Tina Eno (that’s me), The Mean Violets, Local 518 and Zeddemore. It was fun to be part of such a great community event. We are grateful we have a great NPR station like WFIT in Melbourne.

Rosie’s Bottom’s Up

Last night Michael McKee and I played a gig at Rosie’s Bottom’s Up in Sebastian, Florida. Rosie’s is an old establishment that’s sat in the Florida sun on US 1 for countless years. The turquoise painted, cinder-block frame is a hangout for the locals, a great place for bikers to stop for a cold beer. The people are friendly. There are pinball machines and some kind of money wagering games that roar with bells and horns through the night. There’s a couple pool tables and a big square bar that takes up a big chunk of the room. That’s where all the socializing takes place. Then there’s enough room to do a little dancing, or as in the case of one woman last night, the splits. The band sets up near the doorway to US 1, backed up to the south wall of the building. We found ourselves blocking a dart board and I hoped that wouldn’t be a bad decision.

Rosie’s Bottom’s Up, 8400 US 1, Sebastian.

I had left my day job early to roar down US 1 to set up for the gig. In my haste, I left the subwoofer behind. Not a disaster but not brilliant. We were getting some feedback and Michael switched his guitar into an amp he had with him and we leveled things out. I was grateful that my voice seemed to be clear and free of some weird throat issues of late. So yes to that! Michael did his usual impeccable guitar work and we jammed through our three-hour gig. The bar patrons couldn’t have been nicer or more receptive. We were definitely heard and appreciated. At one point in the evening, we did Wild Horses (Rolling Stones) and it was like there was this stillness, and then a burst of applause and everyone facing us and staring at us. I was overwhelmed. It was so rewarding. When it was over the bartender came over to me, paid me, and said, “I need more of this in my life.” She promised to speak to the owners about booking us again. Today I followed up with that owner and she said she’d love to have us back. She’ll even push the start up an hour so it doesn’t cut into my day job. I’m thrilled. Michael is thrilled. It’s good to be playing again.

A Taste of Asado

I’ve picked up a gig at a local restaurant called Asado. It is a fine dining experience for the guests. The music is really background music so that people have a nice evening. That gives Michael McKee and I a chance to free flow our way through the night. The funny part is, you never know who is listening. This video popped up on social media the day one March day, right after we played Asado. I don’t know the videographer but she liked our band. I was singing an old Carol King song, WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW. I recently saw the play of Carol King’s life story and it was inspiring. Anyway, here we are in action!

Will McLean 2024 Wrap Up

2024 was my second time performing at the Will McLean Festival in Brooksville, FL. The annual event features continuous music on three stages. I was accompanied by guitarist Michael McKee. We performed two full sets of my original music on two different stages, on Saturday and on Sunday. Having Michael perform with me is a real treat. He rounds out the rough edges and puts a pretty polish on my songs. He adds a harmony here and there. We’ve only recently started performing together and I’m enjoying it – he’s a nice person who loves playing guitar. He’s got a great ear. We look forward to performing at Barberville together in April. Many of the same performers from Will Fest take part in Barberville’s annual spring and fall festivals.

I volunteered as an emcee on one of the stages on Saturday evening. What a treat! I got to see up close and personal, some incredible acts. My favorites included Lon and Lis Williamson, also known as Gatorbone. They came as a quartet with a fiddle player and a guitar player. Lis and her husband wrote the songs and did lead vocals. Everyone sang, and played extremely well. The songs and musicianship was so good they got a standing ovation and did an encore. Lis Williamson has an unforgettable voice – clear and sweet with a lovely vibrato she controls just perfectly.

Another songwriter I found particularly enjoyable was Carly Bak. She’s from South Dakota but has a Florida home as well. Her lyrics were solid, sassy and well delivered. Her whole band was a great compliment to her songs. She’s been performing at Will Fest for nearly 20 years. The festival has such a great community of writers and performers.

I look forward to next year’s event and the opportunity to emcee again. It is something I enjoy and they need people who actually want to do that sort of thing. For me, I feel like I have a backstage pass and I feel like I’m doing something good. For more about the Will McLean Festival, visit their website.

Website Updated

I am happy to announce that I’ve updated and hopefully improved my website TinaEno.com.

My goal is a website that provides easy links to shows and booking information. The website houses all assets – photography, biography, video, music. It is a central location for all of my marketing channels – social media, and online music and video platforms. It’s a place to find accurate information as well as a way to make contact.
And how can I forget the blog – a platform to share news along the way.

When I’m not embroiled in the technical side of this business, I’m excited about upcoming shows. I’ve got some new songs to share and I look forward to getting on stage.

2024 Will McLean Festival

I’m thrilled to be welcomed back to the Will McClean Festival for the second year. I enjoyed it last year. I “borrowed” this image from photographer Gail Carson. I found it on the internet. I added myself and guitarist Michael McKee.

We are performing two sets, one on Saturday, March 9th at 1:30 pm on the Magnolia Stage, and one on Sunday, March 10th at 11:30 am on the Azalea Stage. Performing at the Will McLean Festival is a chance for me to perform my original songs. I wrote two songs for the annual Will McLean song contest. I didn’t place, but I really like the songs I wrote. In particular, Miami 1964. Here’s a link to that song:

Miami 1964

2024 is poised to be a great year for performing. I am playing a places I’ve never played before, returning to festivals, and taking on some new events. Stay tuned to my blog for announcements.

Will Mclean Festival

I was thrilled to get two sets at the 2023 Will Mclean Festival, held March 10, 11 and 12 in Brooksville, FL. The Florida Sand Music Ranch provided the perfect setting for three stages and three days of continuous music. The people were wonderful from all of the performers to the attendees. There was a good vibe all the way around. The Will Mclean Festival is a celebration of original music by Florida musicians – grounded in folk, acoustic and bluegrass.

I played Friday at 3:30 pm on the Azalea Stage and Saturday at 3:00 pm on the Magnolia Stage. The Magnolia Stage was under a very large pavilion and it was a treat to perform on that big stage. I look forward to next year’s event.

Florida Home

My last blog post was so long ago, that I don’t even want to look at the date. Instead, I’ll move forward in the joy that I’m writing a post today. Today finds me sitting in my rented townhouse across the street from a big, blue, beautiful ocean in Melbourne Beach, Florida. Today finds me one year and seven days into my move back to Florida. But mostly, today finds me celebrating being a songwriter.

This past year has brought a lot of unexpected joy. Just writing that sentence makes me realize I need to start expecting joy. I’ve written several songs in this past year of which I’m proud. They are a departure from some of the songs of my past. Each one is still personal and is relative to this unpredictable journey I’m on. Hopefully, my experiences will resonate with you as well, and you find a connection in my songs.

The video below was shot on April 4, 2022, during Writers Night, a monthly songwriter show. Writers Night has been going on in Brevard County for the past 14 years thanks to the dedication of its creator, Sam Tritico, owner of Island Music in Merritt Island.

Mona Savona was inspired by an unexplained light in the guest bedroom of my townhouse. I never go in that room – yet the fan light had been pulled. I later learned that a woman named Mona Savona, had resided in my townhome before me and that she passed away there. I was also told, she was a redhead. Mona – this song is for you.