THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606140258
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: 67 lines
It's the kind of place that gets you to thinking, ``If I lived here, I'd never leave.''
The home, in Isle of Wight County and at the foot of the James River Bridge, offers a wonderful view of the water and land traffic.
It was built in 1962, by James Stoup and his father, William Stoneman. It has been enlarged over the years.
``My grandfather (Stoneman) used to run Jimmy's Beach House'' there, said Dave Stoup.
With about 20 boats, the business was in what is now the front yard.
Dave Stoup, an acoustic singer-guitarist who lives nearby, will perform Friday at Smithfield's Summer Concert series.
And this fall, he will make his first recording, originals and old favorites.
``The subjects of my songs are usually relationships,'' Stoup said. ``And, I've written about the Chesapeake Bay.''
The neighboring James River? Not yet.
Stoup covers songs by such performers as Jim Croce and Dan Fogelberg.
Acoustic, growing in popularity, is good listening music, Stoup said. ``It tells stories, people can relate to it.''
His performance Friday is as free as the evening breeze.
``I used to play five nights a week at the Sheraton in Hampton,'' said Stoup. ``Then, I went down to a couple times a week.
``Now, I play very little.''
Next, Stoup said, he hopes to work at the Smithfield Inn.
He would like to work in his own place. He has the perfect location for perhaps a raw bar - the old family home.
The boss would sing. ``I wouldn't have to pay the performer a savings there.''
His family's two-story home has eight rooms. You get the feeling, ``Look at those fools rushing around. Here I am, comfortable, just watching them.''
The land was purchased for $5,000, a buy ``considered by many to be foolish because it was at the foot of a toll bridge, and there was no one around,'' Stoup said. ``It was like moving to mid-Alaska. When they took the toll off, it was a different story.''
The house and property would sell now for far more than that. Think more in terms of six healthy figures.
You get there via the last left turn before getting onto the bridge. The dirt road, behind the former toll booth, takes you to the house and Atlantic Motors.
``I sell used cars and boats, and I do repair work - insurance damage,'' said Stoup, who also spends time with his dad working on 1931 Fords - a Model-A and a pickup.
He lives a few miles away.
Stoup's mother, Dorothy, and grandmother, Bessie, live in the older house. He lives in a house on pilings. He built it three years ago.
``It's like a cottage at Nags Head,'' said Stoup, who shares it with the former Amy Howell, his bride of nine months.
They met during a Suffolk Summer Celebration at Constant's Wharf. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Dave Stoup will perform at Times Square on Friday.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Dave Stoup
What: Smithfield Summer Concert series
When: 8 to 9 p.m., Friday
Where: Times Square, in front of the Smithfield Times, 288 Main
St. by CNB