The Stage

 

Announcing the performance lineup the Chesterfield Freedom Festival 2024

There’s little question that humans are wired for music. There is something about music that seems to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community. Come celebrate with your family, friends and neighbors at the Chesterfield Freedom Festival!

Each band will play about 50 minutes, depending on the size/set up of the next band. A HUGE THANK YOU to this year’s bands for providng their time and talents!

Performer Bios

Lenny Holmes

Lenny Holmes

Hendrix Forever

Lenny Holmes is a Guitarist, Producer, Singer, and Entertainer, Lenny Holmes is recognized as one of the top innovators in the competitive world of music. Producing hit after hit, Lenny has proven himself as a musical force to be reckoned with. Whether it’s Funk, Hip-Hop, R & B, Jazz, Rock, Pop, or Gospel, Lenny burns up the stage AND the music charts.  

No matter how large or intimate the venue, Lenny will always awe the crowd with his honed skills on the Electric Guitar. Watching Lenny Holmes perform is an intangible “treat;” it is truly an emotional, physical, and spiritual experience. Often compared to the legendary Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Holmes brings unparalleled energy to the stage and always puts on a show that cannot be forgotten!

To highlight just a handful of Lenny’s many accomplishments in his professional career, Lenny has:

* Co-produced with Missy Elliot, Destiny’s Child album “Writing’s on the Wall,” and played Guitar and Bass on this album as well

*Played Guitar for Mazarati, a band formed by Prince

*Produced Nicole Wray’s “Make It Hot” album

*Produced songs for Paula Cole

*Played Guitar and Bass for Janet Jackson’s “Go Deep” remix

*Produced Melanie B’s (Scary Spice, of the Spice Girls) single “I Want You Back,” featured in the movie “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”

*Produced several songs on MC Lyte’s “Seven & Seven” album

*Produced songs for the group TOTAL with Sean “Diddy” Combs and his Bad Boy record label

*Produced songs for the movie “Cruising,” starring Al Pacino

*Toured with the original P-Funk band, starring George Clinton

*An original member of Mutiny, a band derived from the P-Funk family

*Toured overseas with Miles Davis’ former band, The Electric Miles

*Musical Producer on various GAP clothing commercials

Carrie Brockwell

Carrie Brockwell

Carrie Brockwell is a 17 year old singer/song writer from Chesterfield, Virginia.  While only 17 years old, Carrie is familiar with the stage having spent her early years performing in many musical theater shows in the Richmond, Virginia area including having the role of “Annie” in the Main Stage production of “Annie” at age 11.  In November of 2021 Carrie independently released her first EP entitled “Impressions” with all songs written and composed by Carrie.  The EP/songs have been well received by industry professionals resulting in some of the songs being picked up and played in national pod casts.  In the late summer of 2021 Carrie began the process of auditioning for American Idol season 20.  Carrie’s on-line auditions were successful and as a result Carrie made it through and traveled to Austin, Texas to audition in front of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie where she was awarded a golden ticket to Hollywood.  In October of 2022 Carrie made her Nashville debut while performing at JMA Fest and finishing second in the Josie Music Awards vocal competition.  In February of 2023 Carrie headlined and sold out a benefit concert at the Jimmy Dean Theater in the Perkinson Center for the Arts in Chester, Virginia.  The event raised $10k for local charities.  Carrie is set to release her second record, titled “Dear Nashville”, in the fall of 2023 which will include her two recent single releases, “Dizzy” which she co-wrote with Nashville recording artist Britton Cameron and “Daddy Said” which was written by Carrie and produced/recorded in Kingston Sound Studio, in Nashville, with Britton Cameron. Carrie’s band features players from Nashville, TN, Newport News, VA, and Richmond, VA.  These musicians bring quite the resumes as among them they have played at and or with, the White House, Opening Ceremonies at the Olympics, Bob Dylan, Hootie and the Blowfish, Sister Hazel, Lake Street Dive and Michael McDonald among many other national acts.  

Carrie can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok at carriebrockwellmusic

Carries website: www.carriebrockwellmusic.com 

STEEL

STEEL

The STEEL band is a high energy variety band that features Classic Rock, Country, Oldies. Ranges from the 60’s 70’s,and 80’s,

As a four-piece group includes Guitar, Electric Violin, drums, keyboards, Bass Guitar. And with strong vocal harmonies Steel has a very full sound.

STEEL band was created in 2015, and has performed in Richmond, Fredericksburg, and many Private events, and is still growing. Also performing for Moose Lodges, Eagles Clubs and American Legions.

Every new performance is an exciting new adventure, Steel band has a very strong Fan base. The band loves meeting new fans, making sure that everyone has a great experience when attending the shows.

Everyone is welcome and it’s our gift to have so many that enjoy the music. Also constantly working on new material to keep the performance fresh, while maintaining our song base that everyone loves.

Each member of Steel has a long history of performing in many bands throughout their careers. With all the year’s experiences

Steel brings the best of the best.

 

Team Fred

Team Fred

Team Fred is a native of Hampton, VA and is a disabled military veteran who puts on monthly comedy shows for the military community at various military bases.

His latest venture is that he is now the Lead instructor for the only Veteran Military Comedy Boot Camp class in the country where he teaches military veterans how to use humor as a positive coping mechanism to deal with anxiety, PTSD and depression.

He performs at comedy venues all over but loves performing at churches around the country. He has opened for great comics like George Willborn and Mr. King of Comedy himself D.L Hughley.  In 2016 Fred performed at the White House during the Obama administration as part of a Veteran Military Comedy show.

MISSION STATEMENT BAND

MISSION STATEMENT BAND

The Mission Statement Band (M.S.B.) is a local band featuring the talents of John Harvey on lead vocals and guitar; Gene “Slyther” Russell on bass and vocals; Mike Woods on drums, vocals and guitar and Scott Freeberger on drums.

Collectively, M.S.B. has more than 206 years of playing music to a very diverse crowd.  During their career they have collaborated with national acts like The Drifters; The Marvelettes; Bob Dylan; Earl Thomas Connelly; Sawyer Brown; Orgy; Hendricks Forever and many more.

M.S.B. plays a list of early 70’s Rock and Roll and many award-winning originals.

SCHOOL OF ROCK

SCHOOL OF ROCK

School of Rock Midlothian brings to the stage local young artists all with a passion for music.  These students will perform a variety of rock and roll songs.  Many in this group just started playing music in February and already are making an impact.  These musicians meet for at least two hours a week to hone their craft and perfect the sound you hear on stage

School of Rock is a passionate growing community dedicated to enriching lives through performance music education.  We teach bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards and vocals.  Through the combination of individual lessons and group rehearsals we give our students the opportunity to learn music, be part of a great community of those who love music and learn to shine.  Our performance aged students get to use their newfound skills every few months when we head to a venue and put on a real rock show!  School of Rock also has programs for our younger students.  Little Wings (4- and 5-year-olds) and Rookies (6- and 7-year-olds) learn music in a weekly group setting.  It is here they begin to develop the foundations for a lifelong passion by learning fundamental music concepts.  Our next group is Rock 101 (8 to 11 years old)  This group is a beginner performance-based program.  These students are just starting to determine what instrument they want to learn and then the initial dynamics of being in a band.  Our Performance Group (12 to 18 years old not yet graduated from high school)  participate in weekly individual lessons and then band rehearsal where they practice the set list of their themed upcoming show.

Adults – don’t feel left out!  We have a spot for you too.  Our “Grad School” is for those over 18 who want to either learn or continue their music journey.

Visit us at  midlothian.schoolofrock.com or call us at 804-905-7625 to sign up for a Tour and Trial Experience to see what a difference music makes!