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Virtual Front Porch Music Series
Flat Third
Facebook Live - Wednesday, May 19, 7 pm
Prolific bluesman guitarist/vocalist Paul Urban returns to the Great Hall stage to debut his latest creative incarnation, Flat Third, in collaboration with guitarist Joe Hardesty. Paul brings with him a wealth of original music, from familiar songs written during his days leading the popular band Urban Hill, to newly minted tunes.  Join Paul and Joe for an hour of homegrown Tidewater roots and blues music.

Flat Third is a southeastern Virginia- based Americana guitar duo. The name is a reference to one of the blue notes in a major scale. The moniker is an apt reflection on the musical underpinning of the duo namely, the blues. The band’s writing reflects the varied influences of the band's founders guitarist/vocalists Joe Hardesty and Paul Urban. Flat Third's new album, “Three Chords And The Truth," is a gumbo of blues, old school country, southern rock, jazz and old school R&B. The duo came into being after Joe and Paul began jamming together at the monthly NGBN blues jam held every month at Big Ugly Brewing in Chesapeake, VA. 

Joe Hardesty hails from Great Bridge, VA and started playing guitar at the age of thirteen. His principal teacher was his father Thomas Hardesty who was an accomplished guitarist whose favorite band was Marshall Tucker. The apple never falls far from the tree and Joe picked up on the music of the Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, Hank III and other southeastern USA bands.  

Paul Urban came to the Tidewater region in 2013 and got introduced to the local music seen by Don Butcher who began featuring Paul at his Hampton, VA based " Tuesday Night Choir " open mic. It was there that he met and jammed with Lathan Hill with whom he soon after formed Urban Hill. After a four year stint with Urban Hill, Paul formed Paul Urban & Friends a blues rock based group which he has performed with up till the present.

All in all, the duo performs a wide variety of original music which is sure to please. 

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After they air on Facebook Live, our event videos can later be found on the www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org homepage, and under the Videos tab on our Facebook page, as well as on the museum's YouTube playlist. Check back often for new content!