Soon after she began teaching at University of Richmond, psychology professor Laura Knouse saw former provost and law professor Steve Allred playing guitar and singing at The Cellar on campus.

“Steve was singing Buffalo Springfield, and I was sitting there plotting how I was going to get in the band,” Knouse said.

Not long after, she got her wish.

“I wanted to do a night at The Cellar with a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers because I bought a new Rickenbacker 360 12-string,” Allred said. “And I got Laura to agree to do that gig.”

That was nearly 10 years ago. They formed their band Faculty Lounge and performed in the Cellar and other small venues around Richmond. Former computer science professor Barry Lawson remains in the band. They even recorded an EP in the early days. Knouse is a classically trained singer and University of Richmond grad. Allred has played most of his life, and usually brings that 12-string to their gigs.

“Laura is somebody who always hits the right note and the right level and just can style through a song in a way that very few people can,” Allred said.

Though COVID-19 halted many of their performances, they returned to the stage for a few shows in October and look forward to reuniting for the inauguration performance, opening for Three Sheets to the Wind, America’s #1 Tribute to Yacht Rock.

“Steve has a great ear and a knowledge of compendium of great stuff that I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise in terms of material,” Knouse said. “There are a lot of our colleagues who have really deep hobbies and interests that are not their primary vocation. And this is a place that really celebrates that as well we should.”