Greg Ward Project looks for Culpeper vibe

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: October 2, 2008

Island-inspired sultry reggae tunes will fill the Hazel River Inn Pub on Friday.

The Harrisonburg-based Greg Ward Project will take the stage at 9:30 p.m.

The four-member band — started in 2005 — plays reggae with a twist of hip-hop and folk music, according to the band’s MySpace page.

Lead singer Greg Ward said he looks forward to playing in Culpeper.

“Small towns seem to have a real genuine vibe and they don’t have a lot of hangups,” Ward said during a telephone interview Wednesday. “They know how to have a good time. I look forward to making lots of new friends.”

The band performs both original music and covers tunes.

“I’ve been writing music since 15 when I first got my guitar,” Ward said. “However, people do appreciate when we play a lot of Bob (Marley) and Peter Tosh.”

Ward describes his music as spiritual and conscious.

“We really try to speak on reality and speak on educating and uplifting the youth of today,” he said.

A Long Island native, Ward relocated to Harrisonburg to study digital sound production at James Madison University in 1995.

When he isn’t on stage, Ward teaches private guitar lessons and substitute teaches to make ends meet.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .