7th Son of WV

7th Son of WV has been bringing their unique blend of originals, classic rock, blues and country music to the Northern Virginia area for over 15 years.  They play everything from festivals, to bars to weddings to graduations to private house parties and were recently named best band in Charles Town. They can be booked as a duo with Tom Briner and Dave Mininberg for smaller venues or as the full band for larger venues. Both versions of SEVENTH SON of WV are primed and ready to bring you the best in musical entertainment!

Dave

Dave is a singer/songwriter who grew up playing the saxophone in the high school band and with a couple of small groups through college. He picked up the guitar in his 20s because of his love of singing. Growing up close to Washington D.C. he was often tuned into WPFW on the weekends listening to the blues. His influences run the gamut from Louis Armstrong and Wes Montgomery to Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

After giving up on his dream of playing baseball and tiring of government work, Dave began teaching Social Studies full time at the age of 25. He also bartended at a well known blues bar in Miami Florida where he was able to see top talent up close such as Graham Drought, Ron Dzubila, Slash, and Bill Wharton. "I knew I would love to do something like that" he says. "A job that could be a lot of fun and I could have a couple of beers too."

In his mid 30s Dave started to play solo acoustic around Charles Town, West Virginia at places such as The Mecklenburg Inn, The Charles Washington Inn, Cliffside, and others. In the fall of 2006, Dave hooked up with the guitar teacher at his school; Tom Briner. "Ever since I hooked up with Tom, I have been working steadily on the weekends as a musician. It has been awesome! He definitely makes me better and gives us a lot of flexibility." The two generally stay busy working in Leesburg, Ashburn, Purcellville, VA, and Charles Town, WV.

Tom

Multi-instrumentalist Tom Briner is a Virginia native who has spent a lifetime in the music business. He is a veteran of the Richmond music scene whose electric and upright bass is showcased on the Gary Gerloff Band's ANCESTOR WORSHIP cd (Planetary Records). Tom's "pickin' and grinnin'" dues were paid as lead guitarist for "Nashville Bound," "Travler," and "Roland Wallace and the Untouchables," and performances as drummer for "Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs" and the "Richmond Swing Orchestra" round out his local resume. In addition, Tom has toured with various recording acts, performed at area theme parks, and has appeared in feature films and local commercials. He has been a featured performer on Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Upon receiving his Music Education degree from the University of Richmond, Tom taught guitar and strings for five years in Chesterfield County schools, and was a private instructor on multiple instruments. Moving to Loudoun County VA in 2002, he began a career with LCPS and has taught middle school and high school band, strings, and elementary school general music before settling in as a guitar instructor. Playing guitar in 7th Son brings Tom's experience and abilities full circle.

Phil

Phil is a native of Baltimore, MD. He grew up in a family where his father and mother gave their children musical opportunities. "In my formative years I sang in a men and boys choir, took piano lessons, and percussion lessons. I also played percussion in my middle school band." Phil chose an athletic path once he reached high school and college. He is once again involved in music and loving it after a 25-year lull.

Phil enjoys many genres of music. "I particularly enjoy jazz, funk, rock, and blues music. These music forms have been a part of me for most of my life. I have always been interested in how music is put together." Phil is continuing to improve his craft by taking lessons in theory and percussion.

Having the opportunity to play music after such a long time has been rewarding for Phil. "Listening to music has been a way for me to relax and unwind. Now I am having chance to play again and that is icing on the cake."

Phil and his family reside in Charles Town, WV. He teaches and coaches at the high school level. "The band is a team of sorts. We have a great lineup with Dave, Tom, Kelly, and myself. There is a lot of unselfishness in our approach and we have fun performing together." Music has always been a part of Phil's life and he is happy to be part of 7th Son.

Kelly

Bass player, Kelly Briner, is from Richmond, Virginia. She began playing cello at a young age and performed with several local chamber ensembles and symphony orchestras. She also specialized in playing music for weddings, churches, and musical theatre groups. Years later, she took up the electric bass and played with Roland Wallace and Great Balls of Fire, Joe Stress and the Stresstones, and Travler. She joined 7th Son in 2007. Kelly has had the privilege of playing on numerous pickup gigs with some inspirational professional drummers such as Jay Armentrout (remember "The Backstabbers" by the OJays? That is Jay playing on the recording!), Johnny Hott (drummer for House of Freaks and Cracker #1), Todd Woodson (Nashville session player), Jeff Tozer (of The Gary Gerloff Band), and, of course, Phil Truiett (of 7th Son). The beat does go on!!