The Standard Deluxe, a printing company based in Waverly and created by Scott Peek, has evolved so much since its start in 1991 that it has also become a venue for music concerts.
Last Saturday, Fire Mountain and The Lazy Birds played for lively and excited crowd. Many people ,all different ages, paid the $10 fee to get the chance to soak in the music and the atmosphere of the Standard Deluxe.
Though a very diverse group of people arrived, Peek was not surprised, attributing the large crowd to the talent of the Lazy Bird band.
"This band is really accessible. Anyone would like them," Peek said.
Jay Brown and James Browne, who have been playing music together since high school, Alfred Michaels and Mitch Johnston make up the Lazy Birds.
Michaels, the band's 52-year-old fiddler, also builds homemade fiddles and basses in North Carolina, while Browne builds houses and Johnston has a career as an electrician. According to Brown, the lead singer and guitarist for the band, the band members are considering moving beyond part-time work and going on tour.
Brown says that this is the perfect time for them to think about going on tour, because the relationship between band members has developed so well.
"At this point, we're all more mature," Brown said. "We know each other really well, and we know how to be around each other. We're just like family."
The band has already released three albums, and, though the band sings both original music and covers, Brown said that his favorite song is the title track for the band's third album, "Broken Wing." The song is about Andy Christopher, former band member, who was forced to leave the because of health problems.
The band members also make sure not to neglect their home life, bringing family and even pets along whenever possible. Sam Browne, the son of drummer James Browne, said that he likes the direction the band is going and is excited about going places with his dad and the band.
"I just love it," Sam said. "I love getting out and exploring the world with him. It's just awesome."
But performing in Waverly would not have been possible without the help of Peek, whose business is the life of this rural town. Peek is aware of his business's relative seclusion and said that he prefers being a bit removed from things.
The business does not suffer from the location, however, because Peek spreads information about his business in trade shows all over the United States, including Seattle, Texas and Chicago. Word of his business has spread so far that many stores in the Caribbean sell his wares. Some of his customers include Japanese rock band, Guitar Wolf, Toots and Maytals, a reggae band from the 60s that is making a comeback tour, and even Diana Ross.
Peek's clients do not exclusively include musicians. Peek has also recently received orders for wedding invitations and menus as well.
Peek started printing in high school with the help of his teacher and the Standard Deluxe evolved into what it is today through his love of music and a nostalgic fondness for the community gatherings he'd attended as a child.
"I grew up going to music events and cookouts," Peek said. "It's in human nature to congregate and have a good time. It's just a matter of bringing people together."
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