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Joel Branscom isn't pictured in the Sol Revolt band photo online yet, so he posed with the band members in his office recently.

On Saturday June 27, Solrevolt, an area blues band will perform at Virginia Mountain Vineyard in Fincastle and Botetourt's own Commonwealth's Attorney, Joel Branscom, will be playing the harmonica as the latest addition to the band. Known for his trustworthiness and dedication to the law and often used by other jurisdictions to prosecute sensitive cases involving government officials and others, Branscom amazingly has a musical side, too!

Most of the Solrevolt members have ties to the law enforcement community. They include David "Buck" Sink, Rick Drewery, Chad Sacra, Scott Neal and Travis Barber.

Branscom, an LBHS graduate, became interested in music at an early age but during his college years at William and Mary became the light and sound man for the college's events, which included traveling shows. "I liked Bob Dylan and his harmonica use for one," said Branscom.

After graduation from William and Mary's law school and joining the Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell's office, he once traveled to a two-week college in Houston. Branscom found others there also played music, so they formed the Electric BBQ Space Lawyers Band and jammed while they learned!

He has come back to music after 25 years in the legal business as a prosecutor--11 years in Roanoke and 14 as elected Commonwealth's Attorney in Botetourt County. After the birth of kids and fatherhood, he began to get back some of his music interest. Over a 10-15 year period he became an avid fan of Blues Festivals. Then, the band attracted him.

They are a six piece blues, rock, soul and originals and influenced by greats such as Elvin Bishop and Derek Trucks. The band will play at Pomegranate in Troutville at night on June 26 and at Virginia Mountain Vineyard off Old Fincastle Road north of Fincastle on June 27.

On July 25 the group will play at the Challenger Little league fundraiser at the Moose Lodge on Route 311 in Roanoke County. Said his band mate Chad Sacra about the event, "Challenger is an Organization sanctioned by Little League of America to afford young people who face mental and physical challenges to enjoy the opportunity to play baseball. The Roanoke Valley District 12 will be on hand to answer questions regarding participation and to celebrate its 20th Anniversary of support for those participants in the Roanoke Valley by serving you at this event." Tickets are $10 donation. Branscom has some to sell as well as the following sites:
Donation Tickets are available from Solrevolt members, Roanoke Moose Lodge #284,
• Mulch and More Plantation Rd. • Blue 5 Restaurant 2nd St. Downtown Roanoke
• Kellys Music Brambleton Av. • Melody Haven Music Church Av. Downtown Roanoke
• Auto Plus Auto Parts Williamson Rd. • Duncan Ford Merc. Chrys. Dodge & Jeep in Rocky Mount
• The Landscape Store Cloverdale Rd. Troutville • Select Power Stewartsville Road Vinton
• Roanoke Family Medicine Booker T Washington Hwy Hardy • Dooley Printing Corp., Florida St., Salem
• Fast Signs, Salem