Marine wildlife artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey's artwork is well known and represented on prints, posters, tshirts, hats and other merchandise here in the lowcountry. Harvey is also a very vocal and active advocate for marine conservation, having established the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as well as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization that funds scientific research and educational initiatives.

Harvey's artistic style is mostly to realistically depict warm water marine sport fish in dynamic poses in their natural settings. His media include watercolor, oil, and acrylic. His original paintings have been composed on watercolor paper, canvas, and wall murals. Harvey has two books currently in print. The first, Guy Harvey Portraits From The Deep is a large-format coffee-table book. Harvey's second book, Santiago's Finest Hour, is an illustrated depiction of the protagonist Santiago's fight with a fish in the Ernest Hemingway novella "The Old Man and the Sea." Harvey has donated portions of the proceeds from the sale of his artwork and merchandise to various causes dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and advocacy for responsible and sustainable commercial and recreational fishing.

Guy Harvey's Island Grill in Mount Pleasant at Towne Center beautifully portrays the true marine feeling on which Guy Harvey's Island Grill is based. Patrons<0x00A0>of the restaurant are greeted by a life sized replica of a charter fishing boat complete with fighting chair. Murals of Guy Harvey's work adorn the walls of the restaurant and pristine fish tanks full of colorful saltwater fish and coral add to the look of the main dining room and the bar.

On a visit there with about 12 family members I got a chance to look around. I enjoyed the food and décor but the highlight for me was Dave Hope playing acoustic music out on the patio. I caught up with him during a set break and he gave me a little info on what is going on musically at Guy Harvey's Island Grill.

They present live music Thursday-Saturday featuring Hope, Chris Tidestrom and their band the 40+Pirates as well as other acoustic acts. It is off the beaten path but worth a trip to check out. Find out more at: www.guyharveysislandgrill.com , www.facebook.com/pages/40-Pirates/113216374224 .

Awendaw Green is still going strong with it's emphasis on supporting local music artists and philanthropy. Connecting artists with various causes and providing an outlet for the wealth of talent in the area has been a passion for Awendaw Green's founder, Dr. Eddie White. His enthusiasm is both powerful and contagious.

Awendaw Green's flaqgship has been the weekly Barn Jam. Every Wednesday at 6pm, on a stage located behind the Seewee Outpost on Highway 17 North in Awendaw, they host a family friendly outdoor concert featuring both local and visiting artists. It is free, but they do take donations to help cover the cost. This week's Barn Jam features: Chamomile and Whiskey, Dark Water Rising, Lost Highway and Chris Baur. For more info go to: www.awendawgreen.com.

Until next time, be nice to each other and support live music.

(To get your establishment listed in the East Cooper Music Scene, email Stu Johnson at allknightjohnson@gmail.com.)