No matter where you go, if you find yourself someplace with a vibrant live music scene, like we have here in St. Augustine, there’s always one performer who seems to be attached at the hip to the town. There’s always that one guy who everyone knows and who always seems to be playing somewhere.
In St. Augustine, that guy is Dewey Via.
Originally from the small town of Ettrick, Virginia, Dewey first found his way to St. Augustine about ten years ago. For the last ten years he’s played countless shows in an impossible number of venues in town, always with a guitar in hand.
Dewey first got interested in music around the age of eight, and that interest has never waned. He made his living as a plumber in Virginia until 2005 and also served as a worship leader at his church for 13 years. He decided to move to St. Augustine about ten years ago, a move which coincided with his decision to throw caution to the wind and pursue music full time.
The pace he keeps as a performer isn’t an easy one; his typical schedule has him playing as many as seven shows in five days (he treats himself to Tuesdays and Wednesdays off). His biggest challenge, he says with tongue planted firmly in his cheek, is being tired all the time. When asked about his most memorable gig, Via says, very matter of factly, “The last gig I did.” It shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone that it’s hard for him to pick out a favorite after performing so many.
His current performance schedule is as diverse as it is enjoyable, and you can find him in all corners of town. While Dewey most often performs solo, he also fronts two bands which perform a mix of Dewey’s original songs and covers. The Dewey Via Band (affectionately known a “The DVB”) and Moses Creek Band can be found at Tradewinds on Sunday and Monday nights, respectively. Of course, that Sunday night gig is after his Sunday afternoon show at Mi Casa on St. George Street.
Always performing, this one.
The most enjoyable thing about watching Dewey Via perform is that there’s probably no one in town with a repertoire as deep and expansive. Go ahead and feel free to throw out a request. Chances are he knows it.
Ask him what he likes most about being a musician in St. Augustine and his answer comes quickly: “I love the fact that there’s quality music and art around every historical corner, and I’m honored to be a part of that scene.” When you watch him perform, it’s pretty evident that there’s nothing he’d rather do more. Dewey’s interaction with his audience is natural and comfortable, like hanging out with a buddy on your front porch on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
“I perform with the hopes of making someone feel what they need to feel.”
It’s difficult to find anything wrong with that.
For a schedule of performances, check out Dewey online at www.deweyvia.com or follow along on Facebook.
