Live from Retro Daddio

What had happened was…

Amidst shutdowns of area restaurants due to COVID-19 local musicians, like so many others, have had their only source of income disappear overnight. Area musician, Paul Todd, and founder of Iota Creative Collective, Sam Eure (aka, Sammy Lee), are changing that. The two joined forces with local retailer, Retro Daddio, to create Live from Retro Daddio, a weekly lineup of streaming performances from local musicians, performers, and entertainers that can be viewed live from computers and mobile devices. Each show is shaped around a local standing musical gig that would be happening if local breweries and restaurants were operating as usual, and the artists utilize their performances to promote those businesses to garner support and encourage viewers to support them through take-out options. Through online chat, the audience can interact with one another, cheer on the artist, and make song requests. Throughout the performance, viewers have the option to support the artist by contributing to a virtual tip jar through Venmo, PayPal, and other payment apps. Local businesses are donating gift cards as weekly prizes eligible to be won by those who tip the musicians. 

The Virginia Beer Company has stepped in as a sponsor for the event to elevate visibility for the shows and introduce Live from Retro Daddio to their following of avid live music fans. “In a world without COVID-19, The Virginia Beer Company stage would be teeming with these local musicians. The brewery was an early supporter of the local music scene and this is a way to support them while providing easy access to entertainment and a sense of normalcy for our fans and followers,” says Robby Willey, co-founder of the brewery. Sam Eure adds, “Iota is adapting operations to fit the needs of local musicians and businesses as they evolve through the COVID-19 era, staying true to its creative community vision.”