As of February 17, 2025- Virginia Sweet, one of the Montauk Music Festival’s Fan Favorite Bands, has signed with Curtain Call Records – https://www.curtaincallrecords.com/ – with distribution through The Orchard/Sony Distribution Company.
I have been a fan of the band since I first met them in 2019 at the Montauk Music Festival, and was honored to have a conversation with frontman Jason Dove about their new chapter. Being quite busy with shows throughout the states, we spoke as he drove to Florida for a few shows at Daytona Bike Week 2025.
Looking for a little background information, I was treated to an interesting story of how the two “Jasons” met in Minnesota in 2017. Living in Virginia at the time, Dove had a job lined up in Maryland, but when it fell through, he made a few calls to the company’s main office, and ended up with a position repairing guitars for Guitar Center in Minnesota. As a result, he made a last-minute move to Minnesota. Later that year he met lead guitarist Jump while repairing his guitar, and accidentally burning a hole in it! Jump replied, “As long as it’s fixed, that’s all that matters.”
Their friendship grew overtime with Jump inviting Dove to a rehearsal, and eventually becoming a road tech for the band. After a while he starting playing acoustic with After Memphis; this was the first time playing with a band. Jump saw his potential and helped to get the performance side out of him. He said that overtime he switched to bass, and he’s actually only been playing bass now for 4 ½ years.
After restructuring the band during COVID, they re-branded to become Virginia Sweet. You might say, they’re a baby of COVID! With Jason Dove on bass, and now for the first time on vocals, Jason Jump on lead guitar, and joined by Ricky Parker on drums. We met this new band when they came to town and rocked the 2021 pre-MTK Music Festival Marshall Tucker Lighthouse Concert with their remake of Can’t You See!
Learning the song to help promote the Marshal Tucker Concert has ended very well for them, as Can’t You See has turned into the flagship song of their sets. From their earliest days, Virginia Sweet has worked tirelessly to blend their distinct musical styles, creating a powerful synergy of raw, soulful vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and a rhythm section that leaves audiences spellbound. They released their debut EP, The Revival, in the summer of 2021, marking the beginning of their journey to captivate listeners far and wide.
Asking how they connected with Curtain Call Records, he said that it stemmed from their relationship with James Gilley, owner of ProMotion LLC, out of Knoxville Tennessee, whom they had been working with for about a year and a half. Virginia Sweet has been doubling their shows each year since 2022 when they played only 16, to 35 in 2023, to 81 in 2024. Additionally, they unveiled their latest EP, Virginia Sweet, Vol. 1 in 2024, solidifying their presence in the rock and roll landscape.
I was now curious how they connected with James Gilley, Dove told a story of arriving in Nashville for a performance, when the show was just 18 hours out it was cancelled. With the help of a friend from Chicago, they searched for a replacement gig. Although he didn’t get a replacement show, they established a relationship with a new venue, Iron Forge Brewing in Pigeon Forge, TN and have since played there a few times. They were also told to contact James Gilley, the owner of ProMotion, as he was “the man to know in Knoxville” for booking bands. Although the band put it aside for a few days, the call was made and Dove knew immediately Gilley was someone they should be working with. In addition to helping to increase their shows, and recording two music videos ProMotion LLC has now put together an epic partnership, with a record deal from Curtain Call Records.
In 2022 they recorded with Multi-Platinum Grammy Award Winning Producer Mikal Blue, to put out their version of the Marshall Tucker hit, “Can’t You See”, in addition to 9 other tracks. Since recording with him, Mikal Blue and colleague Steve Sherr have helped to guide them and have endlessly offered advice as they navigated the industry, or as Dove put it, “Weed through the noise of the music industry.” He went on to comment that there are lots of people who try to take advantage and make promises to new artists, but they’re often just blowing smoke.
This deal with Curtain Call Records and ProMotion LLC will support various aspects of their journey including Major label distribution through The Orchard/Sony, digital promotion, radio play, interviews, playing more festivals, opening slots for national acts, and more! Dove said “Virginia Sweet is no longer moving blindly; we are being guided as we go and bringing things to the next level.” Commenting that Curtain Call Records and Promotion are “Shining their lights along our pathway, and helping navigate around the speed bumps, letting us know when to turn, etc.” He went on to explain that this is extremely exciting time for them as an unbeknownst weight is gone- now, no matter what happens they will be steered in the right direction. In addition, they will be recording a couple live albums in the next 3 years! Being more of a live band, this is exactly what they are looking for. Reminding me of such bands as The Allman Brothers and Dave Matthews- both of whom recorded numerous live albums, they are following in some iconic footsteps.
Entering 2025 with an invigorated passion and drive, Virginia Sweet continues to deliver their infectious energy and captivating sound to stages around the world. With an unrelenting dedication to their craft, the trio is proving themselves to be an unstoppable force in modern rock music, destined to leave an indelible mark wherever their music is heard. We are beyond excited for them and are looking forward to their return to this year’s May Montauk Music Festival. Always entertaining, personable and extremely talented, Virginia Sweet has also returned to Montauk for the past few summers playing numerous other gigs throughout town. “Montauk is a home away from home for us. With the support of Ken and Sue Giustino, the Montauk Music Festival, and the locals, Montauk has become a launching ground for the band. Through connections made here, our reach has spread across New York and the East Coast.”
