Rising Silo: Worley Plays!

It’s a Friday night, and middle school teacher Mr. Worley is shredding a 6-string electric guitar at the best joint in town. Rising Silo is, after all, the best joint in all of Blacksburg. All the key players come here: college girls in paisley bandannas prance past grizzled punks with body mods, and outside there are children screaming as they climb a mulch mountain in search of adventure. Jonas Porter (11) sits opposite of me in a crowd of family members, whilst Trini Ferreira (12) lounges comfortably behind the restaurant, enjoying her night out with friends.

Anyone who is anyone has been to Rising Silo, and the status of your celebrity consists in your ability to find the best spot in the house. Worley is singing in a Georgia on My Mind kind of drawl whilst I hand-pick the best location. It needs to be close to the food, ambient of the music, and in a position where the lights hit just right for that group photo.

Food arrives quickly here, and fresh too. The bread is supplied by Blacksburg Bagels, and the cuisine is what they call ‘Farm to Forage’. Partnered with Glade Road Growing, a 2009 collective of farmers and ranchers, the food is certified brilliance. If you want fresh ingredients, there’s no better stop. 

Biting into one of their burgers is a religious experience, like each new bite is a form of worship to which there are no other words than mmmm. Ringed onions mix vibrantly with green onion nubs, purple lettuce gives way to green lettuce, pickles burst forth, hidden under succulent meat. And to top it all off, their fries are to die for. Sliced perfectly, cooked to a medium crisp, and sprinkled with copious amounts of sizable salt. This all came with a special sauce, thick and bright pink. I was informed that the neon concoction, nicknamed 'Silo Sauce', was made from beets. After thoroughly drowning a fry for that moment-of-truth taste test, I gave my compliments to the chef. 

Meanwhile, Worley was still playing like a demon, jamming out to Tom Petty and the Black Crowes alike. Making a quick stab at his ex-wife, as one does, Worley begins playing an original entitled 460 Highway Blues. It’s like a less intense, more country-esque Stone Cold Crazy, you know?

After the gig, Worley and I shared some words on his music career. 

“This is my 32nd year teaching in Montgomery County; I started playing out in the late 80’s with a goal of pursuing my original music.”

He’s currently in two bands: Dirt Road Breakdown and Attic Static, but his career spans decades, both solo and collaborative.

“I played in an original band called Visible Shivers for ten years, and we recorded three albums. Then my next original band, The Lapdogs, recorded two albums and played regionally in VA and TN mostly. I also do two different solo shows now, one of 80’s-90’s music, and the other focusing on my originals and music in the vein of the originals.”

When it comes to students admiring his work, Worley seemed amused.

“One of the best things about playing out is when I get to see a former student and catch up on a set break. Doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does it’s always special.”

As for the venue?

“Rising Silo is one of my favorite venues to play at. The staff is always so nice and supportive- that goes double for Jess, who does the booking for Rising Silo. It’s a great venue because people of all ages can attend, and since it’s in Blacksburg it gives people I know who live in town a chance to see the bands without having to travel far.”

His band Dirt Road Breakdown will be playing at the Mason Jar around Claytor Lake on Saturday, March 22. Further down the dirt road, they’ll be playing at Longway Brewery in Radford, on the 29th. 

As for the Rising Silo band schedule, go to their website and check the events calendar! Amelia Empson will be playing the 21st, and Spring Fed Roots will be playing the 22nd! Come on down and see what all the fuss is about!

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Written by Thomas Repass

Photography by Thomas Repass