Loudoun AIR Self-Guided Music Tour

In 2024 music producer Todd Wright and acclaimed performer Terri B! – Loudoun’s artist in residence – worked with a group of Loudoun musicians and songwriters to write, create and record five original songs in three unique Loudoun locations. In tribute to that project, turn on the Spotify “Sounds of Loudoun” compilation and take this self-driving Loudoun AIR (Artist in Residence) Music Tour to those locations with some suggested stops in between.

John Wesley Church, Waterford

Start your musical tour mid-morning at this historic Black church on Bond Street across from the mill in picture-perfect Waterford. Nashville-based Loudoun country artist Emma Rowley joined Carrol and Terri B! to write and perform “I Still Believe in You,” here, a soulful ballad about love, perseverance and faith. Founded by Quakers in 1733, Waterford was home to many freedmen as early as the turn of the 19th century and the church was built by the town's African American Methodist Episcopal congregation in 1891-92. “It was a very emotional venue for me to record in as a Black woman,” Terri B! said. “Loudoun has so much rich history.” Today there’s talk of the church becoming a museum.

1836 Kitchen & Taproom, Lovettsville

After a coffee at The Corner Store and a stroll through Waterford past its immaculately preserved homes (country legend James McMurtry grew up in one of them), take scenic Milltown Road to this cozy gastropub with a ship’s galley bar. Open for lunch six days a week and brunch on weekends, dishes run the gamut from salads and steaks to chicken and waffles and fish and chips. We like the Schnitzel Platter, a nod to the town’s 19th-century German roots. On weekend evenings there’s a live acoustic artist, and if you come to the town for its wild Oktoberfest each September, you will hear live German oompah music. 

Walsh Family Wine, Purcellville

It’s time for some wine. Take scenic Mountain Road to this classy winery outside Purcellville, venue for two recordings: Buy Me a Drink and Maybe Virginia. Terri B!, Wright and Wright’s daughter Ryan co-wrote “Buy Me A Drink,” inspired by a poster for the winery’s annually released tongue-in-cheek dry red blend What Will the Women Drink? “The song is about a tough girl who doesn’t want to be small talked or hit on,” Todd Wright said. “Basically, ‘You can buy me a drink but that’s it. Leave me be.’”

“Maybe Virginia” meanwhile is an ethereal old-world murder ballad written and performed by Stilson Greene and Kim Pettinger, recounting a conversation between a murderer and his victim’s ghost. “It’s titled Maybe Virginia because the murderer wants to hide from the deed – maybe in Virginia – and the ghost of his victim refuses him that right,” explains Greene.

What to imbibe while here? What Will the Women Drink? if it’s available, but if not, the 2021 Bethany Ridge Tannat is a perfectly balanced tannin-rich red.

The winery hosts live music on some weekends and there’s a turntable and record collection behind the bar for you to play DJ and spin some vinyl. Magic!

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, Purcellville

The first distillery to open in Loudoun since Prohibition, Catoctin Creek was the setting for the recording of This Time – a heartfelt country-blues guitar number by Cal Everett, Gary Smallwood and Terri B! celebrating place and connection. “It's the classic guy leaves girl, realizes mistake, wants girl back, makes promises that ‘this time it'll be much better,’ kind of number," Everett said. The song can also be interpreted as an ode to Loudoun’s craft scene - where music flows like rye, stories are shared over barrels and every note feels like golden hour in a glass. Listen to it while sipping distiller Becky Harris’ world-class Roundstone Rye – as finely crafted as the song’s touching lyrics.