From the Medical Board to the Main Stage!

*John Goldfield, Asst. Medical Director, NC Medical Board*

If you haven’t heard of (and heard) John Goldfield then you are missing out! The Assistant Medical Director of the North Carolina Medical Board is the front man for the band The Motel Keys and they are getting more and more well known across the state.

Randy Aldridge of the North Carolina Medical Society had the chance to talk with him about his music, what his teenage daughters think about their dad (you may be surprised), and what his colleagues have to say about his side hustle!

Here is all you need to know about John Goldfield and The Motel Keys:

Randy Aldridge: John, The Motel Keys are getting better known around the Triangle, tell me all about the band.

John Goldfield: “We play covers of blues, classic and southern rock songs mostly. We try to play stuff that not every other cover band plays, and stuff that will make our audience shake their hips and want to dance. The band includes George Cvjetnicanin: guitar, Derrick Shultz: bass, Jay Holder: drums, Me: vocals and harmonicas.

Randy: What inspired you to join a band?

John: “I started playing in bands after college in the early 90s. I was in an acoustic duo for many years until the Pandemic. Some of my current band members reached out to me in 2021 to see if I’d be willing to join and see what we could come up with.”

Randy: You play the harmonica! How did that happen?

John: “I’m actually a harmonica player and the lead singer. I started messing around with the harmonica in college (late 80s) and am primarily self-taught. I’m influenced by Charlie Musselwhite, Junior Wells, Little Walter, John Mayall and of course Elwood Blues.”

Randy: The Motel Keys is an very distinctive name. How did you come up with it?

John: “We feel like it evokes a certain retro vibe… kinda cool but also maybe a little cheap and gritty.”

Randy: Alright, lets get to the most important question. What does everyone else at the NC Medical Board think of your music career?

John: (laughing) “The NCMB staff and Board members find me curious haha… some have been able to come see a show and are surprised at how much energy and engagement we put out there from the stage!”

Randy: And you have two teenage daughters who are probably your harshest critics! What do they say about seeing dad on stage?

John: “My teenaged girls love to come see my shows and are very supportive.”

Randy: So what is next for The Motel Keys?

John: “We have a show 7/7/23 at Tap Yard Raleigh and a private function in August at Treyburn Country Club in Durham. We are expecting to play again at House of Hops on Glenwood in either September or October. Brueprint Brewing is opening a new location this Fall in Morrisville and they’ve asked us to play the grand opening. We’ll be at Fainting Goat Brewing in Fuquay Varina in December.”

If you want to check out The Motel Keys Friday night click here for more information.