For two graduates of the United States Naval Academy, the 2025 Annapolis Songwriters Festival is more than just another gig. It’s a homecoming. The festival, modelled after the wildly successful Key West event, is celebrated for its intimate setting in historic pubs and theatres, making it the perfect stage for BMI artists Victor Vas and Chris Nurthen to return to the city that moulded them. With a shared bond of service and a passion for music, these former naval officers are set to reconnect with their roots and share their artistry with a community that shaped their young lives.
For frontman of The Blue Fiddles, Victor Vas, the return to Annapolis is particularly poignant. As a former Marine Corps officer, he will perform in the very town where his musical journey first took flight, playing violin in the Midshipmen String Quartet and singing in the Mens Glee Club while at the Academy. After his service, Vas became an instrumental figure in the Dallas-Fort Worth country music scene, supporting rising artists as a talented multi-instrumentalist.
Now, he brings his own band and his unique "Texas Rock Fiddle" style back to a place he holds dear. “Annapolis is a special place for me and for many,” Vas says. “Having this opportunity to now contribute to Annapolis’ incredible culture, as part of its community of artists, is meaningful in a way that is difficult to describe. I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”
Founded in 2022, The Blue Fiddles are on a mission to redefine modern music by blending blues, southern rock, and country. Vas, a classically-trained soloist with a love for blues and rock, found that the fiddle's presence had been underappreciated in these iconic genres. He set out to change that, developing a new category of music that delivers a blistering energy and a universal message with every performance. The band’s new song, 'Ever Really Up To Us', captures this ethos perfectly, showcasing their aggressive and unique style.
Fans will have multiple chances to catch The Blue Fiddles and other artists at this year's festival. Victor Vas will be taking the stage at Maryland Inn’s King of France Tavern on Saturday, 13 September, at 6:00 pm, and will perform again at Ram's Head on Sunday, September 14th, at 2:00 pm.
Meanwhile, his fellow USNA alumnus Chris Nurthen has a full schedule, with performances at Blackwall Hitch, Stan and Joe’s, Dinner Under The Stars, and also joining Victor for the Ram’s Head show on Sunday. The Annapolis Songwriters Festival promises an unforgettable weekend for both the artists and the music-loving community they return to.
For more from The Blue Fiddles leading up to their shows at the festival, join them today on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
