What the heck is "Trop Rock"?

When you think of the soundtrack for a sunny day - whether you're driving to the beach or blending up Margaritas in your own backyard, who would be on your cd player or Ipod? Jimmy Buffett? Kenny Chesney? Bob Marley...maybe some Carolina Beach Music or Jack Johnson? All great choices. But what do you call the type of music they  - and the literally hundreds more guys (and gals) writing and performing similar songs on bar stages and restaurant patios all across the country - perform? There's a variety of genres represented and, let's face it, "Singer/songwriter/classicrock/reggae/island/folk/funk/steeldrum/shagdancing/country/calypso" would be hell to fit on a business card. So somewhere, somebody came up with the title "Trop Rock" (short for Tropical Rock) - a broad umbrella that covers all of the above and more. Basically, any music about sun and surf, beaches, bars, and boats. If it makes you want to drop a lime in a beer, chances are it's Trop Rock. Sound interesting? My hope is that, through this blog, those of you reading who had never heard the term will get turned on to artists that will become new favorites. John Frinzi, Brent Burns, Hugo Duarte, John Reno, Jim Morris, Swim Skinny, Bankie Banx, Jim Asbell, Kelly McGuire, and "Sunny Jim" White to bands like A1A, Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, Hanna's Reef, Phins,Young Rebel Goombas, Latitude, Captain Quint, Tsunami Wave Riders, and Hana & Satchwell. And, for those who have been Trop Rockin' for years, I hope to be a reliable source of up to date information - from tours to album releases and more - as well as provide intimate portraits of the artists and their music. If you have a personal favorite, someone that you would like to see showcased and/or interviewed here on BB&B let me know!