Fernandina Beach, FL. — On a quiet afternoon in Fernandina Beach Andre Martins was busy tuning in his piano to get ready to play at the Green Turtle Tavern.
“I’m 22 years old, I started playing piano at the age of 10,” said Martins.
Martins is part of the band, Sailor Jane and The Swell Acoustics.
Booking the gig at all, is a small miracle in 2020 when the pandemic forced tours and live music gigs to shut down in March.
But things are changing.
“We’re actually gaining momentum again thankfully,” said Martins.
Earlier this year, the face and vocals of the band Rachael Miller, found herself having to apply for assistance to make sure her production company stayed afloat.
Action News Jax showed you in September how, Sailor Jane Productions, was among hundreds of small businesses and nonprofits to apply for CARES Act funding in St. Johns County.
“I was playing probably four to five times a month actually between the acoustic band and the reggae band and then also obviously we had several large festivals that were canceled for my reggae band when COVID hit and none of those have come back,” said Miller.
But now, she’s mostly relying on smaller gigs at restaurants and bars.
Thanks to the holidays, they’ve been able to book a few more gigs but before things started reopening Martins had to look for other ways to make a living.
“I was fortunate enough to get a job with a company,” said Martins. “That lasted for about five months and I was not enjoying it as much as I was with music.”
As for Miller she’s not only a talented musician, she’s also a registered nurse.
“Honestly I like music and medicine and the way that I see medicine as healing is kind of on the same path,” said Miller.
This year more than ever, music is her medicine.
She’s taken the time to invest more in herself.
Miller recently debuted a new single called “Ready for Love” and she’s planning more original music.
But being able to perform before packed venues may have to wait a little longer.
Miller and her band are just thankful to be performing in front of live in-person audiences again, even if they’re smaller than they’re used to.
Cox Media Group
