There are bands that play music.
And then there are bands that create moments.
If you have ever found yourself at a winery, brewery, lakeside venue, festival, or community gathering around Keuka Lake and suddenly realized you were singing at the top of your lungs, dancing with people you met ten minutes ago, and laughing like you'd known everyone for years, chances are good you were listening to States Apart.
Because States Apart isn't just a band.
They're an experience.
A Tale of Two States
The story begins across state lines.
States Apart is a dynamic acoustic duo that bridges the musical landscapes of Pennsylvania and New York, bringing together two talented musicians with a shared passion for creating memorable live performances.
Their name couldn't be more fitting.
One member calls New York home. The other hails from Pennsylvania. Yet somehow, when they take the stage together, the miles disappear and the music takes over.
Their performances blend the best sounds of the 70s, 80s, and 90s with today's popular hits, creating a setlist that feels like the soundtrack to a lifetime of memories.
One song takes you back to high school.
The next reminds you of your first road trip.
Then suddenly you're singing along to something current while wondering how they managed to seamlessly connect decades of music into one unforgettable night.
Meet AJ
At the heart of States Apart is AJ DiNoto, vocalist and rhythm guitarist from Rochester, New York.
AJ has spent years performing throughout Rochester, Syracuse, Keuka Lake, and beyond, appearing in everything from solo acts and duos to trios and full rock bands.
His influences include artists such as the Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Daughtry, Matchbox Twenty, Train, and countless classic rock favorites.
And it shows.
AJ has the kind of voice that can move effortlessly from a heartfelt ballad to an energetic crowd favorite. One moment he has the audience swaying, the next he has them singing every word.
His love for classic rock shines through every performance, but what makes AJ special is his ability to connect with the crowd. You never feel like you're watching a performer.
You feel like you're spending the evening with a friend.
Meet Bob
Then there's Bob Sooy.
Based in the Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania area, Bob has spent more than two decades behind drums, percussion, and vocals.
Over the years he's performed with original bands, cover bands, acoustic duos, and trios, bringing his talent to audiences throughout Pennsylvania and New York.
His influences include Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies, Hootie & the Blowfish, Cake, and many classic rock legends.
While AJ often grabs attention with vocals and guitar, Bob provides the heartbeat of the duo.
Whether he's playing percussion on a slaptop cajon, adding harmonies, or cracking a joke that leaves the crowd laughing, Bob brings an energy that keeps the entire performance moving.
Together, the two create something much bigger than a duo.
The Keuka Lake Fan Club
Now let's talk about what may be the most entertaining part of any States Apart performance.
The unofficial but very real Keuka Lake Fan Club.
If you've attended enough shows around the lake, you've probably noticed it.
The familiar faces.
The regulars.
The people who somehow know every lyric, every inside joke, and every dance move.
What makes it even better is that AJ and Bob know them too.
Not just by sight.
By name.
You'll be halfway through a set when AJ or Bob suddenly points across the crowd.
"Hey Linda!"
"Good to see you, Mike!
"Look who's back!"
And just like that, the audience becomes part of the show.
It's one of the things that makes States Apart feel so perfectly at home around Keuka Lake. In a world where so much entertainment feels distant and impersonal, AJ and Bob create something deeply local and wonderfully human.
They remember people.
They welcome newcomers.
And they make everyone feel like they belong.
Dancing Required
Well... maybe not technically required.
But good luck sitting still.
One of the great mysteries of Keuka Lake is how two musicians with acoustic instruments consistently manage to fill dance floors.
Maybe it's the song selection.
Maybe it's the energy.
Maybe it's the smiles.
Or maybe it's simply impossible not to have fun when States Apart is playing.
Whatever the reason, one thing is certain.
People dance.
A lot.
We've seen couples dancing.
Groups dancing.
People who swore they weren't going to dance dancing.
And occasionally someone dancing who probably hadn't danced in years.
That is the magic of live music.
And States Apart seems to find that magic wherever they go.
More Than Music
What makes States Apart special isn't simply the talent.
There are plenty of talented musicians.
It's the connection.
It's the feeling that for a few hours everyone in the room becomes part of the same story.
The couple celebrating an anniversary.
The friends gathering after work.
The visitors discovering Keuka for the first time.
The regulars who haven't missed a show all season.
For a little while, everyone becomes part of the same crowd, singing the same songs and sharing the same memories.
That is something special.
And around Keuka Lake, where community still matters and neighbors still know each other, it feels right at home.
Join Keuka Roots & Friends at Point of the Bluff!
Mark your calendars and grab your dancing shoes!
On
July 2nd, Keuka Roots and friends will be heading to Point of the Bluff to dance the night away with States Apart, and we'd love for you to join us.
If you've never experienced a States Apart show, this is the perfect opportunity. Expect great music, plenty of laughs, familiar faces, new friendships, and a dance floor that somehow always seems to stay full. AJ and Bob will be bringing the soundtrack to the evening, while Keuka Roots will be busy collecting stories, making memories, and celebrating everything that makes life around Keuka so special.
But this night is about more than music.
Together we'll be helping kick off the celebration of
America's 250th Birthday, honoring the spirit of community, friendship, and hometown pride that has always defined both our nation and the small towns we call home.
So whether you're a longtime member of the unofficial Keuka Lake Fan Club or joining us for the first time, come spend an evening with us.
States Apart is bringing the music. Keuka Roots is writing the story.
And trust us—you'll want to be part of this chapter.
📍 Point of the Bluff
📅 July 2, 2026
🎶 States Apart Live
❤️ Keuka Roots & Friends Meet-Up
Because the best Keuka stories are the ones we create together.
A Keuka Roots Reflection
At Keuka Roots, we spend a lot of time telling stories about the people who make this region unique.
Sometimes those stories are about pioneers, inventors, winemakers, or local legends.
Sometimes they're about musicians.
Because music creates memories just as surely as history does.
Years from now, someone will hear a song and remember dancing on a summer evening overlooking Keuka Lake.
They'll remember the laughter.
The conversations.
The friends.
The sunset.
And somewhere in that memory will be AJ and Bob.
Creating another night worth remembering.
Keuka Roots Rating:
States Apart
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Five Stars. Highly Recommended.
If you see States Apart on a local schedule, go.
Bring friends.
Wear your dancing shoes.
And don't be surprised if by the end of the night AJ and Bob know your name too.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka. ❤️🎶🍷🏞️
Because around Keuka Lake, the best memories often come with a soundtrack.
Why Keuka? Because No Other Lake Spells Y Like This.
