Randy McQuay will perform at City Club on Friday night, Carolina Beach’s Santa Sleigh Ride on Saturday and as part of EAST Oceanfront brunch at Blockade Runner on Sunday. (Port City Daily/Photo by Jaret Sears)
WILMINGTON “Christmas seems to be the only saving grace to give anyone any kind of cheer this year,” local musician Randy McQuay said during a phone interview earlier in the week.
The blues musician, like most local players and bands, lost 75 performances in 2020. Though he was able to host a few livestreams through the pandemic, and sustain some income thanks to dedicated fans showing support, the last half of the year has picked up with more in-person, outdoor shows. Still, they look different: no hugging, no hand-shaking, no dancing with others. Instead, the shows have been outside, socially distanced, masked, smaller, some even mobile.