Music from the Mailbox

I’m a Trop Rock fan. Big surprise. If the song is about beaches, bars, or boats, chances are I will like it. Lucky for me, there are literally HUNDREDS of artists out there these days singing about my three favorite subjects – and I’m discovering new ones every week.  As a fan, I listen to this kind of music most of my waking hours anyway. But, I’m also a mobile dj – the only one that I know of in my part of the country that features Beach Music and Trop Rock as a regular part of my playlist, from weddings to pool parties. So, I also get a regular chance to play these tunes for other people - not just Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Bob Marley, and the Beach Boys – but independent singer/songwriters and bands. My wife and I also have a business – Bahama Llama – that brings “great food and a tropical vibe” to festivals around the Atlanta area. Our booths are always beach themed and, of course, the music we play all day is Buffett and Trop Rock. At some festivals, that could mean tens of thousands of people passing by our booth (hopefully, at least some stopping) and hearing what we’re playing. On top of all that, I have this blog. One of the main reasons I started it was to help expose people around the world to Trop Rock and the folks who play it - hence the second word in the title. 

For all those reasons, hardly a week goes by that I don't walk out to my mailbox and find a package full of cds from somewhere around the country. Some are new releases from artists and bands I have known about for some time, others are from people I've only recently been introduced to. Either way, I'm like a kid in a candy store - I can't wait to get back inside and hear what the mailman has brought me.

Here are some of the more recent releases I have gotten in the last few weeks... 

 Paul Roush "Today's The Day" - Paul is a veteran music maker from Missouri with a storied history. He was a founding member of the band Phins, 2008 winners of the Trop Rock Horizon Award, and also fronted the 12 Volt Band. He decided to go solo last year and the result is this cd. Recorded at Orca Sound Studios in Maryland, it was produced by Captain Quint's Kevin Johnson, who also plays keyboards, bass and drums on the disc. The ten tracks include a few notable covers; "Layin' My Life On The Line" comes courtesy of Jerry Jeff Walker, "Daddy Was A Sailor" is a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band composition, "I Wanna Be A Pirate" was originally found on the Captain Quint cd, "Unsinkable Still", and it doesn't take a die hard Springsteen fan to immediately identify "Thunder Road". The rest of the material is all original, including "Bad Day On Vacation" - a glass-half-full look at a bike ride on the beach, "Today's The Day" - a feel good ditty about discovering a love you already had, and the retrospective "Just To See If I Could". Two of the more melancholy songs, "Three Sailors" and  "Fools, Drunks, And Children", are updated versions of Paul's tunes originally penned for Phins projects (the former can be found on "Welcome To The Beach", the latter is the title track to their 2002 cd). Howard Livingston fans will also appreciate Paul's hilarious ode to the multi-award winning Florida Keys' musician, "I Wanna Be Howie" (with a nod to Brent Burns).  http://www.paulroush.com/ 

Captain Josh "Whitecaps & Nitecaps" - Josh Ramsteck, aka "Captain Josh", hails from the Orlando, Florida area and is a true Parrot Head - member of the Parrotheads of Central Florida. "Whitecaps & Nitecaps" is his third cd - following up on 2008's "If I Had A Hammock" and "Music In The Lower Keys" from 2007. Like the first two, it consists of original material with some carefully chosen covers, most notably on this one Ricky Nelson's 1972 hit "Garden Party" and the Motown Classic (later re-recorded by Linda Ronstadt) "Ooh Baby Baby". Josh's original tracks often take a humorous look at the Parrot Head lifestyle, and this cd is no exception:  "Parrotheads in Paradise" boogies along on a bed of Buffett references, the double entendre filled "Deep Vee Bottom" is a tongue firmly in cheek look at boats, "Room Key" tells the (true?) story of an amorous fan at a festival date Josh played in Panama City, Florida, and "I'm Into Leather But I Could Be Suede" speaks for itself. Of the "serious songs", "Ship To Shore" would be a great one to listen to as the sun sets and the title track is a nautical ditty with squeeze box accompaniment. Guests on the cd include Trop Rocker Jimi Pappas and guitarist Rob Seay. http://capt-josh.com/

John Patti "Cabana Breeze" - From appearances on various Trop Rock records, to a tropical take on the Folger's Coffee theme with John Reno (top ten finalist in a national contest), to the recent Coral Reefer Soul show in Tampa, and upcoming dates in Costa Rica with Jim Morris, John Patti is a busy guy these days. Playing the steel drum from an early age, Patti cites a chance encounter with the Coral Reefers in Key West back in 1998 as a turning point in his musical career. "Cabana Breeze" is his second cd and features Buffett band members Peter Mayer, Doyle Grisham, and Nadirah Shakoor, who adds vocals to the soulful and sexy "Steamer". The other ten tracks are all-instrumentals. Songs like "Start The Party", "Catamaran Race", "Tiki Groove", and "Tauranga" make you want to run, not walk, to stick a lime into a long neck and your toes in the nearest sand, and "Wonderful Tonight" is his reggae-fied (and slightly more upbeat) take on the Clapton classic. John is a member of the Deb Grisham Music group of artists, which also includes Nadirah Shakoor, and both Peter and "Uncle" Jim Mayer. http://www.johnpatti.com/

Scott Kirby "Row Me Home" - As an unabashed Scott Kirby fan, I was thrilled to connect with him via telephone recently to conduct an extended interview (found elsewhere on this very blog) and talk about some of his music, including tracks on this - his sixth cd, released last year. Produced by world renowned drummer Russ Kunkel (Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg and countless others) and featuring an all star cast of musicians like Leland Sklar, Dean Parks, and Coral Reefers Jim and Peter Mayer and Roger Guth, "Row Me Home" is full of Kirby's trademark warmth and poet's eye for detail. Favorite tracks include "Blow Me Down To Cayo Hueso" - an ode to his own song line, which has taken him from New England to Key West, "Port Outbound Starboard Home" - a catchy Jackson Browne type rocker about not looking back, the pretty, country tinged "Out Here Near The Edge" and the cleverly titled acoustic ballad "Row Me Home To Juliet". Kirby recently kicked off his Spring/Summer tour in New Hampshire and will be travelling South and West, with dates in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Washington and more through July.  http://www.scottkirby.com/

 Hana & Satchwell "Chillaxin" - Another group featured in a full length interview on this blog, Ricky Hana and Alan Satchwell split their time between the California coast and Hawaii. Successful musicians in their own rights, 2010's Chillaxin is their second cd as a duo and the second to win a Hawaii Music Award as "Pop Album Of The Year". As the name implies, "Chillaxin"' is all about slowing down and taking things one day at a time. "Island Daze Island Nights" rides a lazy horn-driven groove, the beautiful and relaxing "My Sunset" features their trademark smooth vocal harmonies, "Duval Street" and "Cali Samba" are jazzy instrumentals, "Island Gurl" is the perfect soundtrack for a cruise along the North Shore, and "First Day Of Summer" and "Lighten The Load" are reggae tinged and danceable. Much Aloha!  http://hanasatchwell.com

Shurl Gates: Passionate Parrothead

When it comes to music, Shurl Gates is the first to tell you she can't play an instrument, isn't going to win any karaoke contests. But, she more than makes up for that lack of performing skills with a deep love - make that an unbridled PASSION - for music. "I'm not much of a tv person, but I have music playing in my house 24/7. I love listening to it, going out to hear it, being around it", says Gates. That passion has led her to become one of the most familiar faces in the Trop Rock world and most ardent supporters of the people who make the music.

Shurl Galiher Gates story begins in the small Oregon coastal town of North Bend, where she moved as a kid. She went to school, married, and raised a family there. But, as all great stories go, something happened that changed her life forever. In Shurl's case, that "sudden twist of fate" was divorce.

"It was 2001, I was single again and looking to make some major changes in my life. Two of my kids had moved to Florida so I decided to go there." "There" was just outside of Tampa, where she met and started dating a Parrothead. "I had always loved Jimmy Buffett's music, but had never been exposed to the whole lifestyle". Looking to make friends in her new home, she joined the Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club. A former Mormon, it didn't take long for the colorful, and gregarious Phlockers to get her life going in a new direction. "That was it. I found myself - the 'me' I didn't even know was missing. It was a celebration of a new beginning." Through the TBPHC, Shurl began attending events and hearing her first "Trop Rock" bands. "I LOVED it, became a huge fan. I've always been a very social person, so I would make a point of going up and introducing myself, telling them how much I enjoyed hearing them," explains Gates. "One of the great things about Trop Rock is that the people involved are so down to earth, so approachable." Before long, she counted among her friends hard working musicians like Jimi Pappas and John Frinzi, and started getting calls from artists that were looking to play in the area. "Guys would call and say, 'I'm coming down there on my way to Meeting of the Minds. Do you know anyplace to play around Tampa?' So I'd make some calls. I started getting to know the clubs and the people who ran them. It was just something I would do as a favor to friends. I also got to know the people at Radio Margaritaville, like JD Spradlin and Steve Huntington. Steve, it turned out was a big baseball fan, so we had that in common" (Gates' son in law is All Star Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Roy "Doc" Halladay - Fred). In 2007, she was introduced to Deb Grisham - wife of Coral Reefer Doyle Grisham and owner of Deb Grisham Entertainment, which represents a number of artists, including Nadirah Shakoor, The Mayer Brothers - Peter and "Uncle Jim", John Frinzi, and John Patti. "We became on line friends, trading emails and talking about music and places for artists to play in Florida." Her list of connections continued to grow until 2008, when Michelle Becker of the Margarita Mafia called Shurl to see if she might be able to help bring in some well known presenters for that year's Trop Rock Awards in Key West. "I called Doyle and asked him if he'd be interested and he said 'YES'! Then Nadirah and Tina Gullickson agreed to do it." Her efforts not only helped cement her reputation as a true mover and shaker in the Trop Rock world, but also won her the first ever "Fan Of The Year" award.

Things REALLY changed for Gates the next year. "I was having dinner with (trop rock artist) Rob Mehl. He mentioned to me that he was looking for a Manager and I replied, 'I need a job!'", although she says she wasn't being serious at the time. "The truth is I was looking for something constructive to do - alimony only goes so far!", she jokes. "But, I had never thought that what I had been doing for all those years just to help my friends might turn into a business. Later, I was talking to Steve Huntington and he encouraged me, said it would be perfect for me". Gates Music Management was born. "It really just came out of me trying to create a job for myself, doing something I loved to do."

Two years later, Gates Music Management boasts a close working relationship with a number of top Trop Rock acts, some she managers and some she helps and supports in whatever ways she can. "I feel it's important for them to find work however and wherever they can. So, in that regard I'm not exclusive with anyone. And I only work with artists I truly believe 100% in." 


"I don't expect to get rich from this. I do it because it makes me feel good and that makes it worthwhile"




I asked Shurl to give me the low down down of some of her favorite artists (note: Some of the bands mentioned can be found in previous posts in Beaches, Bands and Bars - Fred):


Homemade Wine - "They're from Knoxville, Tennesee. They started as a three piece, by brothers Ryan and Todd Sheley. Now, they're a full band and one of the most sought after acts in Trop Rock. They'll be playing on Thursday night at this year's Meeting Of The Minds."


Jimmy Parish & The Ocean Waves Band - "From Jacksonville, Florida. They stay extremely busy. He was just down here to play a pre-Buffett show party and will be back later this month to play at The Yard (more on The Yard later - Fred). Jimmy is the complete package. A great singer, songwriter and a true gentleman."

John Reno - "John is originally from New Orleans, so he has a definite jazz influence in his music. He lives in Fairhope, Alabama now but he spends alot of time here in Florida - especially in the Ft. Myers to Tampa area. He plays a wide variety of music, from soft, romatic ballads to over the top funny songs. The one everyone always wants to hear is 'Jello Shots'. He's an amazing songwriter and has a great feel for the audience when he's playing live."

Mike Aiken - "I've known Mike for many years. Back in the days of MySpace, I would look around for new music. I came across Mike's page and liked what I heard. But, I couldn't buy his cd - there was something wrong with the site. I'm not one to give up easily, so i looked around until I found a phone number, called and spoke to a woman. I asked her if Mike ever came down to Florida. The woman turned out to be Mike's wife, Amy, who put Mike on the phone. We developed a friendship and FINALLY, after six years, I was able to get him a gig down here at the Yard!"


Mike Miller - "Mike is from Illinois, a retired police man and founding member of the Boat Drunks. When he retired, he moved onto a sailboat and now spends his winters in Florida. We hosted a cd release party for him in September."


Freebo - "Bass player from California, has played with Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Dr, John - lots of great people. I met him at Meeting Of The Minds one year and loved his music. It's not traditional Trop Rock but it fits in with it. He played a gig here with John Frinzi."


Jim Hoehn - "From Wisconsin. I also met him at a MOTM and became a fan. He's an amazing storyteller and has been a big support to me."

Rob Mehl - "He's from Hawaii where they have a long history of 'talk stories'. He's a great storyteller."


AJ Swearingen - "Another local guy. He was hired to play my son's engagement party. There were lots of things going on but, in the middle of it all, I kept stopping to listen to him. I thought, 'I really love this guy!' He reminded me alot of John Frinzi. When it was over, I went up to talk to him and it turned out he knew John - had grown up in the same area! He's not really what you'd call Trop Rock, but close enough that Jeff Allen has started playing one of his songs on BeachFront Radio (Trop Rock internet radio station, featured previously in BB&B - Fred)."


Michael Weiss - "One night I walked into one of my favorite places in Tampa, the Hideaway Cafe, and Michael was playing. I became an instant fan. He's starting to make a big splash around here - played a Pre-Buffett party, has a song on BeachFront Radio."


Trop Rock Junkies - "They're from the Tampa area, do a Buffett tribute but also some originals. They played the B Stage before the recent Buffett show last month."


"Also, people like Paul Roush, John Friday, Bob Karwin. And another guy I have been talking to is Eric Stone, from the British Virgin Islands. Eric stays very busy there in the BVI, but I would love to work with him if the opportunity came up."


I also asked Shurl about her favorite spots - for live music, as well as food and drinks - in the Tampa area:


The Yard- It is literally a backyard of a home owned by a wonderful couple, Mark and Sharon Leveratte. About three years ago, they decided they wanted to host a House Concert. It was such a success that they decided to do more. As guys would come to me, I would suggest it as a place for them to play. Before you know it, they had built a palapa style stage with a tiki bar and were hosting shows once a month. Now they have a fire pit, bathrooms in the backyard, they're building a bunk house for travelling artists to crash in. It's amazing. They won "House Concert Venue Of The Year" at the Trop Rock Awards in 2010. And they don't make a dime. Every thing collected at the door goes directly to the artists and every dollar raised from raffles (of Sharon's handmade jewelry and Mark's carved wood signs) goes back into making the venue a better place for artists to play.  They do it all because they love the music!" (note: they are currently in need of a website and looking for a Trop Rock fan who might be willing to donate some time to make that happen - Fred)


Hideaway Cafe - "In St. Pete (St. Petersburg, FL), owned by Josh Kelly, who is an artist himself. It's a great listening room that hosts all indy artists, playing all original music."


The Palm Pavilion - "It's my favorite beach bar. Right on the beach in Clearwater, owned by a guy named Ken Hamilton. Great food, lots of room, a great place for artists."


Whiskey Joe's - "On the Causeway right as you come into Tampa. The Tampa Bay Parrothead Club meets there every week. They're building a brand new music venue right on the beach that will hold about 1500 people. I can't wait to do shows there!"


Skippers - "In Tampa. We just did the Coral Reefer Souls Show there, which was a huge success. Lots of possibilities for the future there."


Rapscallions - "In Land O Lakes, a suburb of Tampa. The bar there is named after Billy Peoples, a well known Florida Parrot Head. They host alot of Trop Rock."

"Also, two other places I love that are outside the Tampa area are Archies in Ft. Pierce - It's sort of a biker's bar, but with a Pirate theme - a great place, and The Nav-A-Gator near Arcadia, Florida- It's famous in Trop Rock circles."

http://www.facebook.com/people/Gates-MusicManagement/100001472834315

http://www.debgrishamentertainment.com/about.php

http://www.radiomargaritaville.com/

http://www.finsup.com/_/index.html

http://www.phip.com/MOTM.asp

http://www.margaritamafia.com

http://www.beachfrontradio.com/home.cfm

 

http://www.johnfrinzi.com

http://www.gigmasters.com/Acoustic-Guitar/Jimi-Pappas/

http://doylegrisham.com/

http://www.nadirahshakoor.com/fr_home.cfm

http://www.petermayer.com

http://www.unclejimrocks.com

http://www.tinag.com/

http://www.johnpatti.com/

http://www.robmehl.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homemade-Wine-the-Band/117718255508

http://jimmyparrishonline.com/

http://johnreno.com/

http://www.mikeaikenmusic.com/index.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-R-Miller-Musician/113707452013105
http://freebomusic.com/
http://jimhoehn.com/http://ajswearingen.com/
http://michaeljweiss.com/fr_splash.cfm
http://www.troprockjunkies.com
http://www.phinsband.com/
http://www.johnfriday.com/ 
http://bobkarwin.com/
http://www.boatsongs.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/TheYard-Tampa/100001031214679

http://www.hideawaycafe.biz/

http://palmpavilion.com/

http://www.whiskeyjoestampa.com/whiskeyjoes/

http://skipperssmokehouse.com/

http://www.rapscallions.net/

http://archiesseabreeze.com/

http://www.nav-a-gator.com/

Jimmy Parrish: From Choir Boy to Opening for Kenny Chesney

Back in 2000 - in the days before the internet, Craig's List, and Facebook - if you wanted to buy or sell an item, the best way to get the word out was to post fliers in appropriate spots around town. Had a car to sell? Hang a picture and description in the auto parts store. Looking to get rid of some old golf clubs? A sporting goods shop would probably be the best place. But what if you were looking to start a band?  For Trop Rocker Jimmy Parrish, the answer was found at a local music store in his home town of Jacksonville, Florida. He walked in and told the guys behind the counter he was interested in putting a band together. But, not just any band, one that played "Boat Rock", as he called it - Jimmy Buffett, and songs that spoke to the lifestyle on and around the North Florida waterways where he had grown up. Of fishing, sailing, and the beach. As luck would have it, Jimmy and the two clerks turned out to have similar musical tastes. They played him some of their favorite songs - including "Under The Boardwalk" by The Drifters. The Ocean Waves Band was born. But, getting to that point took almost twenty years.



Where was the first place you ever played?

"I taught myself how to play guitar around age 12, had been singing in church choir. I liked singing, thought I had a talent and wanted to showcase it, but really just for me. The first place I played in front of people was in 1981. I entered a talent show at South Georgia College, where I was going to school. Me and two other guys played 'Long Haired Country Boy' by Charlie Daniels. When people clapped, I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever done!"


Did that inspire you to start playing out more?

Yes. I started playing wherever I could get booked, first around the college and, later, back home around Jacksonville and Amelia Island, Florida. 


Were you playing Buffet and Trop Rock then?

No, more country covers - Willie and Waylon. But then I started hearing this guy Jimmy Buffett and really liked it. Nobody told me, 'you need to play more Buffett!' And I never thought that it would work, that I'd get more gigs because of it. In fact, there weren't really any 'Trop Rock' venues around. I just discovered him on my own."  


When did you decide you wanted to form a band to play Trop rock?

It was 2000. I had spent the last five years playing guitar in a classic rock band called Cool Deluxe. It was a good band, but they wouldn't play any Buffett or Van Morrison, which I wanted to do. Plus, I also wanted to write my own material. So, I started interviewing musicians in the Jacksonville area. But, I couldn't find anyone who knew more than 'Margaritaville' or, maybe, some Bob Marley." That is, until I walked in to put the flier up in the music store." 


You named the band the "Ocean Waves Band" - after the sunglass company. How did that come about?

"I had been taking part in fishing competitions, Kingfish tournaments, for years. One of the sponsors of those tournaments was Ocean Waves sunglasses. I knew the owner, Kevin, pretty well. So, once I found my guys, I went to him and asked if he'd like to partner up with us - and he said not just yes but 'hell yes! We've been together eleven years now."


You have three cds out..

"The first was in 2003, called 'For The Buffett Fans'. It's all Buffett covers. In 2007 we put out 'Let's Go Fishing', our first cd of original material. Then, late last year, we released 'Act Of Piracy'."


Let's Go Fishing has a great song called "Where's the Tequila?", that is full of references to that particular liquor. When I saw you guys play here in Atlanta, for an Atlanta Parrot Head Club party, there were lots of folk saying "Here's the tequila!" and buying you shots. Parrot Heads being Parrot Heads, is that ever a problem - the audience wanting to drink with you while you're trying to work?

"Hah. That was a fun night. We love it. The audience is just showing their appreciation - it's a kind gesture, you can't turn it down. But, I also want to be professional and do our job, do a great show. So, it's a fine line you have to walk. Luckily, I don't have an addictive personality so I can usually maintain. But, it's tough some times. Somebody's got to remember the lyrics!"


Let's go back to the new album...

"We recorded it at a studio in Jacksonville Beach with A1A Productions, the same team that did 'Let's Go Fishin''. Each song on the cd has a different theme, rhythm, or story. One has an Eagles type feel, another has some hot sauce on it. There's hillbilly country, Southern Rock, a ballad and, of course, Trop Rock. I wanted to take the listener on a journey. Plus, I figured having some different sounds upped the chances of something good happening - country people might hear something they like, Jimmy Buffett's people."


How did Parrish Heads in Paradise, your annual trip to Abacos, get started?

"My connection goes back to when I'd play on cruise ships and would go back and forth to the Bahamas. Then, in 2007, I had an offer to play at a club in the Abacos, at Marsh Harbor. I was living there, staying on a friend's boat. I'd fish and dive during the day, then a taxi would come pick me and my PA up and I'd play at night. It was great. I fell in love with the place. In 2009 I thought, 'Wouldn't it be great if I could take some people - maybe who were familiar with places like the Conch House in St. Augustine or the Nav-A-Gator (in Arcadia, Florida - Fred), but had never been to the 'real' Bahamas - down there?' So, I put together this cruise. It's for people who love Trop Rock and the lifestyle and they get to see the Abacos like a local. I have lots of connections with restaurants, hotels - we do excursions. I'm really excited to share it with people."


The Ocean Waves band opened for Kenny Chesney one night. How did you land that gig?

"Yeah, we were rock stars for a night! Kenny ran this contest called 'Next Big Star' for his 2008 tour. At each stop a 'local' band would get to open the show. We won the Jacksonville contest and got to play in front of 15,000 people."


Any other big acts you have opened for?

"Well, we were playing at the Margaritaville Cafe the night Jimmy did the Gulf Shores concert. They asked us to stop playing at one point so they could televise the concert. So, we like to say we 'opened' for Jimmy! Seriously, though, the Kenny Chesney experience was a great one. We'd love to open for another band some time."


Big shows or little, you guys play out alot. Any events you're looking forward to?

"We're very lucky to be on the road alot, do about 200 shows a year. This weekend we're going down to Tampa, Florida to play a Pre-Buffett show party for the Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club. We're also playing 'The Yard' (a bi-weekly house concert in the Tampa area - Fred). We're going to Lake Charles. Louisiana in June for the Pelican Coast Daze show, then on July 2nd we'll be in Naples, Florida for the 'Red, White & Tunes' event, benefiting the troops. On August 12 we're flying the whole band up to Branson, Missouri for 'Phlock at the Rock'. We're definitely looking forward to that."


You were saying you wish you had started playing Meeting Of The Minds (the annual Parrot Head gathering in Key West) earlier?

"I didn't grasp Meeting Of The Minds for years, the importance of it. I was late getting to the party. My calendar kept filling up around the Jacksonville area, just could never get away. Then, finally, in 2008 I went down with my guitar - no gigs booked - and had a great time. It was the best thing I ever did. Now I have a regular house gig at Willie T's. I encourage any musician who plays Trop Rock to go down there during MOTM (November 3-November 6 this year - Fred). Bring your guitar, soak it in - good things will happen."


Got any favorite local spots you want to share with people?

"In Jax Beach our favorite place is Billy's Boathouse (http://billysboathousegrill.com/). This will be the fifth year we'll be doing 'Flip Flops Sundays' the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. And a new place named Nippers is getting ready to open soon that's going to be great (http://www.nippersbeachgrille.com/). It's modeled after a place in the Abacos. Also, Hurricane Patty's down the road in St. Augustine (http://hurricanepattys.net/)."

http://jimmyparrishonline.com/

http://www.oceanwaves.com/

http://conch-house.com/

http://www.nav-a-gator.com

http://williets.com/

http://pages.suddenlink.net/pelicancoastdaze/index.html

http://redwhiteandtunes.com/

http://www.omphclub.com/Phlock_at_the_Rock.html

http://www.phip.com/MOTM.asp

http://www.go-abacos.com/theabs/marsh.html

Trop Rockin: Steven Youngblood gets Trop Rock on the air in PCB, John Friday escapes, Homemade Wine wins awards, & Robert Daniels sells some cereal.

Late 2009/early 2010 was a tumultuous time for Panama City, Florida singer/songwriter Steven Youngblood.  “Born with one foot in the water”, as he says in the title track to his “Guitars & Fishing Poles” cd, Youngblood was raised around sail boats and fishing. He picked up his first guitar at the age of eight and never looked back.  With the sand and sea of his coastal home as a back drop and musical inspiration from the likes of Jimmy Buffett and Eric Stone, Steven eventually found himself writing about subjects that were naturally near and dear to his heart - from laid back tracks like “Island Time” and “Cross On The Reef” to more upbeat tunes like “Picture Perfect Sunset” and the tongue-in-cheek “Hope My Ship Comes In”, all found on his debut disc. As he was wrapping up and getting ready to release that album in late 2009, doctors discovered a problem that would require some surgery. "I thought my voice was just getting kind of raspy from all the bar gigs I was playing." he says, "Turned out I had a lump in my throat that was pushing on my vocal cords!" The hospital stay took him off the road and it was several months before he could perform a full show again. At almost the same time, Youngblood, a radio engineer by trade, approached a floundering local AM station about the idea of putting Trop Rock on the air there. The owner agreed and Trop Rock 1290 was born (http://www.troprock1290.com/troprock%20home.html). Jimmy Buffett is a staple of the station, but most of the playlist is made up of Independent Trop Rock artists from across the country, mixed in with a variety of Island music and even North Carolina Shag tunes. The perfect accompaniment to a day at the Panama City Beaches. He continues to add new songs to the station all the time and plans to have an FM signal this Summer.  On the recording front, Steven has a new single he's working on called "Tan Lines", written by his good friend, Charlie Black, a Nashville songwriter with dozens of Number Ones to his credit. He hopes to follow that with another full cd some time next year. In the meanwhile, you can catch Steven (often with his wife Sandra on Steel Drums) playing watering holes all along the Redneck Riviera, from Joey's Oyster Bar, and Margaritaville in PCB to Fuddpuckers in Destin.  He's also a regular fixture at events for both the Panama City and Emerald City Parrot Head Clubs. www.stevenyoungblood.com or more info and upcoming dates (artists can also submit songs for Trop Rock 1290 there)

John Friday is a self–described "Tropical Balladeer and Displaced Pirate" who originally hails from Maryland.  The singer/songwriter's eclectic background includes a stint as a crabber on the Chesapeake Bay, as well as assorted attempts at college, studying subjects from biology to business.  After an injury ended his thirteen year Army career, Friday settled in the Naples area of Florida and started writing songs and performing in the local bars.  In 2009, he released his first full length cd, "Coastal Dreamin'", which included the rollicking ditties “Ain’t Missing a Thing” and “Rita’s Going Wild”, as well as a cover of the Little Feat classic, “Willin’”… "The last two to three years have been kind of a blur", says Friday - referring to all the increased activity in his busy schedule. In 2010, he was part of the talent line up for the "Puerto Los Somewhere" cruise to Cozumel - one of the first of what is now a plethora of Trop Rock cruises, and played a number of Parrot Head friendly festivals - including the Six String Music Songwriters Invitational in New Orleans (http://sixstringmusicnola.com/) and the patriotic Red, White & Tunes Festival in Southwest Florida (http://redwhiteandtunes.com/). He also made a trip to Hawaii to play for the Pau Hana Parrot Head Club and finished fourth (out of over 400) in the Landshark Lager Battle of the Bands in Nashville. Friday finished the year by releasing another full length cd, "Tropicalized".  In addition to the title track, which can be heard on Trop Rock music outlets like BeachFront Radio, the disc includes "Tennessee Whiskey/Jamaican Rum", co-written by well known Parrot Head songwriter, William Melton . He plans to expand his activities even further in 2011 with more House Concerts and festival gigs, both solo and with his band The Caribbean Connection. Asked where he thinks Trop Rock is going, John says "I want to honor the roots, which is Jimmy Buffett, but there's also more to it", adding, "I write about escapism - whether it's about escaping the snow or a bad relationship". He'll be heading up to New Jersey for the third annual Spring Fling (http://www.springphling.com/) in May, with stops along the way - including a House Concert for the Atlanta Trop Rock Alliance. http://www.johnfriday.com/

Formed around brothers Tod and Ryan Sheley, Homemade Wine began booking gigs as an acoustic act around their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, back in 2008.  Older brother and percussionist Tod has a serious Trop Rock pedigree, as a founding member of  St. Somewhere (www.myspace.com/stsforever), as well as having played with well known Tennessee Trop Rock acts Tall Paul (http://www.tallpaul.com/) and Jake & The Half Conched Band (http://www.lifeonthegulf.com/ ).  Three years later, they are an award winning band with six members, a cd, and a touring van they spend ALOT of time in. "It's been a blast! We just got back from 27 days on the road", said the younger Sheley sibling at the time of this writing. "Mostly around North Florida and the Georgia/SC coast. We played for about 12,000 people at the Taste of Charleston and headlined St. Patty's in Savannah. But we also did some great gigs in places like Greensboro NC and Columbia, SC." The cd in question is "Music For A Salty Soul", which came out in the Summer of 2010 and includes some songs that had been floating around the Trop Rock universe in demo form (including my Ipod) for some time - the catchy country/caribbean "Take Me Down To The Tropics", New Orleans flavored "Sweet Adele", and the melancholy "Seeking Harbor". The cd also included "Her Kiss", the Number One Trop Rock Song of 2010 on BeachFront Radio's Top 40 (the cd also won "Album of the Year", Ryan won "Best New Male Trocker", and the group took home "Top New Trop Rock Band"). After a stop at the New Jersey Spring Phling the end of this month, Homemade Wine will head to Washington, DC to begin recording their second cd, which they hope to have finished by the end of Summer "I want to be done and home in time for football season!" says Sheley. http://www.homemadewinemusic.com/

Last but not least, what do commercial jingles, TV voiceovers, and Trop Rock have in common? Robert Daniels! Daniels is a professional songwriter (member of the Nashville Songwriters Association), and voice-over talent who splits his time between New York City and the sleepy southern coastal town of Murrells Inlet, SC.  When he’s not pimping breakfast cereal or taking you to the next commercial break, he and his acoustic guitar can be found performing Country, Blues, and Rock covers in cafes and nightclubs around the Big Apple. Two of his original compositions, "You Don't Have To Be In Mexico" and "Gotta Love a Girl Like That", have received airplay on numerous Trop Rock radio stations.   www.myspace.com/robertdanielsmusic

Nadirah Shakoor: On Family, Her New Film, and Almost Singing with Yanni.

Nadirah Shakoor is best known as a Grammy nominated singer and songwriter, former member of Arrested Development, current member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, as well as her own group, Outside Art. She is also a social activist, mentor, and performer - with her own entertainment company, Muziki Kianga (A Musical Burst of Light), dedicated to "spiritually conscious and life affirming music". Now you can add Film Maker to her resume.


Nadirah recently answered some questions about her new Documentary, "Bullying: A Shameful Dilemma", as well as life as a Coral Reefer and how she got to where she is now...



Most people know you from the Coral Reefer Band. But, your musical career started well before that: you were a member of the Grammy winning group Arrested Development, have toured with Madonna, Al Jarreau, Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, and others…and have several solo albums out. When did you first figure out you could sing – and when did you decide that’s what you wanted to do for a living?

"I come from a family of singers and musicians. My father was always in one singing group or another and they would often rehearse in our living room. When I was just a few years old my father taught me how to harmonize. When I was 9 he started bringing 45’s of songs for me to learn. I remember the first one was Alfie by Dianne Warwick."


How did you hook up with Arrested Development?

"My brothers, Rasheed, Omar, and I had a musical project at the time called 'Shakoor' (which means Thankful or Greatful). We were similar to Arrested Development in that we dressed in African style, wrote socially concious lyrics, and I sang while my brothers rapped. During that time we lost our father and the group was put on hold (note: Nadirah's father was an innocent bystander caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting near their home in South Central Los Angeles). One day I saw Arrested Development’s 'Tennessee' video, I was very moved and drawn to their music and mission. I felt an almost overwhelming need to be a part of it. I wrote them letters and sent music until they responded, then went to see them when they came through Los Angeles on tour. I ended up auditioning right in the catering room and two weeks later I was in Atlanta rehearsing with Arrested Development to do Saturday Night Live!"


Of all the famous people you’ve toured with in the past (not counting Jimmy Buffett) who was your favorite and why ?

"I would have to say Arrested Development for a number of reasons, the first being timing as they came at a very emotional period of loss in my life. When I saw that first show I cried when African music started and Taree walked on stage with a big Carmen Miranda like hat of fruit on her head. I loved the songs and being part of a movement. I also liked being able to work bare footed, which I still do today. We traveled much of the world and even performed for Nelson Mandela in South Africa in the first year after the abolishment of apartheid. It was wonderful experience and just what I needed at the time. I will be forever greatful for the opportunity."


You have four solo albums and some singles out that cover a wide spectrum of music – from soul, to house music, to your most recent, “Nod To The Storyteller”, which includes covers of Jimmy Buffett songs. Tell me about each of those.

"My first CD 'NadirahSongs' is actually a compilation of R&B songs I’d collaborated with different producers on over the years, most of them were demos. I released it myself."


T"hen came 'Soul Power', which was more hip-hop meets R& B, produced by Arrested Development’s leader Speech. It was released in Japan only. "

"I always loved ‘House music’, in fact, as a teen ager I used to sneak in House Music clubs with a fake ID to dance. The lyrics are often Spiritually uplifting and life-affirming and I was inspired to write in the House Music style. Like hip-hop, it allowed more freedom than the R&B of the day. I could mention God or sing of serious life issues without limitation. This suited me since I was taught and believe with all my heart that I should strive to use my talents to contribute something helpful and meaningful to the world. Thus my 3rd CD 'Obsessed With Peace'. It was also released independently."

"As for "'Nod To The Storyteller', one night at a party in Boston Jimmy said to me, 'Nadirah you should do an album of some of my songs!' and 'Nod' was born!


And, as all Parrot Heads know, you’ve been with Jimmy since 1995...

"When Arrested Development disbanded I found myself re-located to Atlanta with my son, a mortgage, and no income. So, I made calls to contacts I had in Los Angeles and was presented with three tour opportunities. Yanni needed a singer and offered the most pay (double JB’s offer) but his entire show was instrumental except for one song that would feature me. I would have been bored to death so I had to turn it down. The second offer was Spearhead, a hiphop group similar to Arrested Development that had in fact been on several shows with us (my note: Michael Franti & Spearhead have had several recent hits, including "Say Hey, I Love You'). I liked their music and their social statement but it was only a temporary 'gig' and I needed something with more job stability. The third possibility was Jimmy Buffett. I was not familiar with Jimmy at the time but for some reason his name just sounded like a jazz singer's. I had worked with Al Jarreau so I felt up to the challenge and the money was cool. When the music arrived for me to study it included a lot of his older music which to me sounded very country and made me nervous. I remembered hearing 'Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw' on the radio a couple weeks earlier and thinking, 'Wow! they will put anything on the radio!' Here I was an African American woman, raised in Islam, with dreadlocks, two rings in my nose and a burning desire to uplift the world's conciousness through music. To be totally honest, I just didn’t see how I could fit in or be accepted by a group of southern, white, 'country' musicians. I started crying and called my mother to tell her it was not jazz but country and I didn’t think I could do it! She reminded me that I needed a job (as mother’s will). In the midst of my dilemma Amy Lee called me. She and I both lived in Atlanta and she wanted to welcome me aboard. She answered my questions and helped to ease some of my fear and anxiety. When I went to the first rehearsal and heard the music I realized Jimmy’s sound had evolved to a lovely combination of Carribean, Folk, Soft Rock and Pop with a hint of his Country roots. I was relieved and I was warmly received. The rest is history! I have learned so much in this last sixten years about people, carribean culture, work ethic, performance, the music business, and so much more. I would not trade it for the world and intend to be a Coral Reefers for as long as Jimmy wants me to be. I feel very blessed to work with such great musicians and great people. I consider each and every one of them a friend, my road family." 


Jimmy seems to be very generous with the spot light and often gives you an opportunity to step out front and “solo”...

"Actually we are all full band members each with our own special contribution. I was hired as a 'featured' back up vocalist in fact my first few shows I was placed center stage next to Jimmy. He has been very generous featuring me as well as the other Coral Reefers and I am very greatful. He not only allows us to pursue our own musical agendas but he encourages and supports us in our efforts as well".


You were gracious to invite me to your birthday party last year at your home outside Atlanta, and I met several of your family members there. You all seemed very close. How important is family in your life?

"Family is extremely important and yes, we are very close. I have all the responsibilities that come with being the oldest sibling with the most education, a good job, and a decent career. I have relied on my family to take care of my son while I’m on the road. I couldn’t have come this far without their love and support."


Speaking of family, you and your brother Rasheed have a band together, Outside Art.

"A little know fact is that the original 'Outside Art' consisted of Heather Perry, guitarist Paul Pesco, and I. That group didn’t pan out but I liked the name - which represents great art that is not necessarily main stream - so I kept it. My brother/drummer, Rasheed, and I put the new Outside Art together and were already doing live House Music in the clubs. After recording Nod to the Story Teller we added the music to our repetoire in order to help promote it."


How do you cope with all the travelling and “suitcase lifestyle” of being in a band? 

"I have been doing the road thing since 1984 so I am quite used to it. I love being able to travel to different parts of the world and meet new people. It is a blessing and a priviledge that I don’t take for granted. Of course there are times I miss my family and being home but there are also those times when I have been home a while and can hardly wait to get back on the road! It’s the life I have chosen - or maybe it chose me. In either case I am greatful and happy with this life of mine."


Guitarists have to keep their strings clean, horn players change their reeds, drummers buy new sticks...Your voice is your instrument: What do you do to keep it strong and healthy? 

"As a singer and performer my whole body is my instrument. Good health is essential in order to do my job. I juice organic vegetables and fruits, I work out, and I swear by Emergen-C. The proper amount of rest is also very important for a singer, I function best on 8 hrs of sleep and try to get my 8 every night, especially when on the road. As a writer it is important to I keep my Spirit nourished. I do this with prayer, meditatation, chanting, journaling, and sharing my life with interesting people of like mind."



Like Jim Mayer, your band-mate in the Coral Reefers, you are also very involved with anti-bullying efforts. You have a just completed documentary that you are screening in Atlanta... 

"The fact that both Jim and I are both working to shed light and find remedies for the issue of bullying is purely coincidental although not surprising. “Uncle” Jim loves children and has dedicated much of his talent to making meaningful music for children of all ages. He invited me to sing on his CDs as 'The Funky Diva' and I am proud to be included in such fine work. We haven’t discussed our individual anti-bullying efforts yet but I know Jim has been doing a lot of school concerts for the past few years which may have prompted him to do something about the problem in our schools.Fortunately I never had to deal with bullying as a child but my ex-husband tried to bully me into submission until we divorced. It turned out that he grew up a victim of bullying and, untreated, became a bully himself. It is a problem that has reached epidemic proportions especially amongst school age children and in the schools themselves. In recent years I have felt a pull to do more for my community so I began speaking and sharing my music at some public and charter schools.

In October 2010, I met a woman at an Outside Art concert, Lauretta Ali, who was working on a stage play about the life and music of Billie Holiday. She told me that the way I like to leave the stage and get closer to the audience reminded her of Billie Holiday, who was known for doing the same thing at alll her shows. She asked if I would be interested in playing the part of Ms. Holiday in her play. Later she shared with me another project dear to her heart, a documentary about bullying. I knew the Universe was presenting me with what I asked for and I jumped on board. I started researching and discovered cyber bullying and that children are committing suicide as a result of being bullied! I also learned that being bullied or bullying as a child has far reaching consequences into adulthood.  The film – 'Bullying: A Shameful Dilemma', is a series of poignant interviews with both children and adults. Some were guilty of bullying and some who have been victimized by bullies. They each share their experiences and the impact on their lives today. We ask the questions: What makes one person a bully and another a victim? What can we do? What can the schools and parents do, etc. Our mission is to inspire others to not only discuss the issue but to work together to find solutions. I am excited to be part of what I consider something very important."



I look forward to it - and to seeing you there!

"Fred, I must say that I feel and appreciate all the support you have given me. I thank you neighbor and look forward to doing more together in the future. In the meantime be blessed and happy.

On Wednesday, March 30th, Nadirah will screen her brand new documentary film, "Bullying: A Shameful Dilemma" at the Wonderroot Community Arts Center in Atlanta. The film will be followed by a discussion and live music. Tickets are only $5.

http://www.wonderroot.org/

http://www.nadirahshakoor.com/

http://www.debgrishamentertainment.com/

Kelly McGuire: on House Concerts, Trop Rock, and Fishing for Songs.

In an earlier blog I offered up the ABC's of "House Concerts" - a popular way for artists to connect with their audience in an informal and intimate setting. One of the most avid supporters of House Concerts is singer/songwriter Kelly McGuire.

Although Kelly is widely known as a Texas troubadour, his story actually begins in Missouri. A self described "shy and inhibited" guy, he grew up with a guitar playing dad who taught him his first chords. Kelly also played accordion and clarinet as a kid, but his first real taste of the spotlight came in the early 70's, when he sang The Drifters' "This Magic Moment" in the cafeteria his junior year of High School, surprising classmates who didn't know he could sing. A leading role in the Senior Spring musical (as King Arthur in Camelot), then a stint in a friend's band followed until, finally, Kelly landed a gig that would last almost fifteen years - playing solo for a pizza chain called Shot Gun Sam's, with locations in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. It was during one of those five night a week performances that Kelly decided to make the Lone Star state his home, moving to Dallas in 1979.

While playing in Houston- this time at a rib place named Tony Roma's - Kelly drove drove through the Clear Lake Area on the Coast, known as the "Yachting Capitol of Texas". As Kelly puts it, "I drove back to Dallas, packed my bags and moved!" Already an avid sailor, he bought a live-aboard boat, landed a job as a yacht broker and sailing instructor, and moved there full time. Eventually, the grind of playing other peoples' songs 4-5 nights a week started to weight on Kelly and, in the early 90's, he put down his guitar for a year. He only decided to pick it back up after deciding he was going to write his own material - the first of which became the songs on his debut cd, Redfish Island, in 2000. Club Blonde followed in 2002, then - what many consider his signature cd, Boat In Belize (which won the Texas Music Award's Album of the Year), six years later. This year, McGuire released his fifth cd (a live album came out in 2009), King of The Island. Along the way, Kelly also spent time as a jingle writer, and has won numerous other awards, including "Indie Entertainer of the Year" from the Country Music Association of Texas.

After almost 30 years of playing - over 20 of those in bars and nightclubs - McGuire and his band now spend about half of their time playing corporate events and private parties and the rest perfoming at House Concerts around the country. I had a chance to speak to Kelly just before he travelled to Atlanta, Georgia for his first House Concert there.


Let's talk about House Concerts first, Kelly. You do alot of them. What is it you like so much about them?

"Corporate events are great - and we're happy to do them. They want cover songs, but they pay us well to do that. Bars were a great learning experience for me, and I made my living there for a LONG time. But, they're also meant for cover songs and often you're basically background noise. They're not set up, for the most part, to be a great listening environment. Once you start writing and performing your own material, you want people to hear your songs, your lyrics, and a House Concert is the best place for that. They are meant to be a place where people can come listen to an artist perform their songs, and tell you about the stories that went in to writing them. I did my first one - In Key West during Meeting of the Minds - back in 2002. I didn't even know they existed! Right now I probably do about 30 of them a year, all over the country - sometimes just me, sometimes with my band - and sometimes with other artists, guys like Mark Mulligan and Gary Seiler. "


The term 'House Concert' can be a misnomer, because they're not all held in someone's house. Tell em about some of the more interesting "House Concerts" you've played.

"Oh yeah, a House Concert can be held just about anywhere, as long as the environment is right. The biggest was one we did for about three years in Arizona. It was outside of a barn - up on a trailer that would be decorated with hay bales and things. There would be 150 people there, sitting on blankets and chairs. It was great. Another one, in San Diego, had 100 people. But, it's not about the numbers. Most House Concerts are between 30-60 people. And I enjoy that as much as playing for 3000, maybe even more. Because those 30-60 people are there to LISTEN to my songs."


What can people expect to hear from you at a House Concert?

"It really depends on the place. Each House Concert is unique and different. You can come see me at five different places and you'll never see the same show twice. I don't have a set list - haven't in fifteen years. And I keep adding new material, so there are always new songs to play. I can remember when I didn't have thirty minutes of original songs to play, let alone two hours! Plus, the audiences at each one are different, what we TALK about is different. Usually, I tell folks about the stories behind the songs. But, at a recent one, the audience wanted to talk about the music business. So, we did.   "


How do you feel about the term "Trop Rock"?

Well, I appreciate it because it's describes that particular niche - right away you know what you're talking about. There are going to be songs about boats and beaches, and I do alot of that material. It's where I started, writing about what I knew living on the water. But, I write songs about alot of subjects. Some of my songs are country, some more folk, reggae, rock. My main influence, like so many people like me, was Jimmy Buffett, no doubt. But, also the songwriters and groups I was listening to in the 70's - the Eagles, Jim Croce, James Taylor. Lots of people. I look at it like this: we are the legacy of Jimmy Buffett. To most of us, he was (is) a huge hero. You can only write so many songs about tiki bars and getting drunk, though, so you have to expand out. . 'Boat in Belize' was thematic. I had more songs for that album but they didn't fit with the material. So, I saved them for the new album, which has a variety of stuff on it and, so far, people seem to really like. I consider myself a songwriter who does some Trop Rock."


I don't want to go into the stories behind your songs - although there are alot of great ones I'd personally like to know about (like "Great Bicycle Disaster"). I'll leave those stories for people to hear when they attend a House Concert with you. But, I do want to ask about your songwriting process.

"It's kinda like fishing. You throw your line out and nothing happens, sometimes for a long time. Then, one day, you throw your line out and WHAM! That was the day for that song. One of my newest songs, "Woman Behind The Wheel", I had the title and the idea for seven years. One day, I was going through my notes and it just happened. When they're ready to be written, they come out. Like fishing, you have to be patient."

www.redfishisland.com

www.kellymcguire.net

email :  Kelly@redfishisland.com

For Booking: 281-332-8595

Some source info for this post from:

http://margaritamafia.com/margaritamafia/

www.billypeoples.com

Trop Rock Artist Spotlight: Jeff Pike and A1A

1984 began with the introduction of the Apple Mac and ended with Band Aid's “Do You Know It’s Christmas” single. In between, Michael Jackson found out hair spray and pyrotechnics don’t mix, the Tigers beat the Padres in the World Series, Ronald Reagan beat Walter Mondale for President of the US and the Space Shuttle Challenger made its first landing at Kennedy Space Center. George Orwell wrote about it, David Bowie sang about it. An interesting year, to say the least. And, on October 24th of that year, another little piece of history – at least as far as Parrot Heads are concerned - was taking place at a small barbecue joint called Jilly's Ribs in Atlanta, GA. That's the night a 22 year old guitarist, keyboard player, and one-time award winning barbershop quartet singer named Jeff Pike stepped up to the mic and launched a solo career that would lead to the founding of A1A – “The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show” - putting the young musician squarely in the middle of Parrothead history.

From a musical family (his mother played piano and organ) Jeff’s first musical memories go back to hearing Harry Belafonte records being played around the house in the early 60’s. Music continued to be a large part of his life through the late 70’s, from singing in grade school glee club and choir, to playing guitar in a high school rock band. In 1978, Jeff and one of his high school buddies formed an acoustic duo, performing material from the top singer/songwriters of the day, like Jackson Browne, Don McLean and – Jeff’s personal favorite at the time - Dan Fogelberg. His life would change forever when he first heard the Buffett live album “You Had To Be There”, recorded earlier that same year at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Jeff dropped the needle on the song “Captain and the Kid” and the rest, as they say, is history. Ironically, Jeff had given up his tickets to see the show to go see a girl.

College and a series of bands followed until 1984, when Jeff decided to strike out solo. The Jilly’s gig only paid $35 a night but the experience was priceless. Not only was it his  first “professional” solo performance, but it also found him starting to add Jimmy Buffett tunes to his repertoire – including some of those songs he had heard on that live concert album six years earlier.

Cut to 1988. Returning from the road following another stint with a cover band, Jeff once again decided to go the solo route. For the next year, he performed around the Atlanta area as a one-man band, using recently acquired drum programming skills for backing percussion and incorporating more and more of Jimmy Buffett’s music in his show. He also started seeing larger and larger crowds come out to hear Jimmy’s tall tales of sailing ships and sandy beaches. It was during one of those shows that he came across a newspaper ad calling Buffett fans in the Atlanta area to come together to “Party with a Purpose”. The ad, it turned out, had been placed by Scott Nickerson, a fellow musician and major Buffett fan in Atlanta. The two got together, became fast friends, and before you can say “Pencil Thin Moustache”, Jeff’s one man Buffett show became a two man tribute to Jimmy -  arguably the first “Trop Rock” act ever. It also began the worldwide phenomenon known as the Parrot Head Nation, as Scott went on to form the Atlanta Parrot Head Club - the first club of it's kind in the world. In 1991 Scott and Jeff picked up the name A1A (details on the exact date and who came up with the name are still fuzzy). and the next year won a Margaritaville Records-sponsored Jimmy Buffett sound-alike contest.

Scott called it quits in 2002, but Jeff and A1A continued on and, since then, have released a number of CDs. “Ship Happens” came out in 2003, followed by 2008's “Beachwrecked” – along with a pair of live cds: "A1A - Live" (featuring long time Coral Reefer Greg "Fingers" Taylor and produced by current CR bass player “Uncle” Jim Mayer), and “A1A and Friends - Live at Hemingways”. In 2002, Jeff and friends, going by the name Vertical Smile, released another rowdy and raucous live cd. Recorded at The Keys Bar in Montgomery, Alabama, the disc includes both original material and hilarious parody versions of Jimmy Buffett songs ("Tuck It In Second Chin", "Parrothead Saturday Night") and classic rock hits ("Don't Stop Drinking Until Tomorrow"). Through the years, Jeff has also appeared on stage with Jimmy Buffett, in Jimmy's video for "Fruitcakes", and was a featured soloist on Jimmy's "Barometer Soup Radio Special CD".

More recently, A1A sold out several nights at the Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia in 2010. One of those nights was recorded and is being mixed down for release as a live cd. The final disc will include an hour of all-original Jeff Pike/A1A material, plus a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" and is expected to hit the streets in April or May of this year. And, last but not least, Referettee Nadirah Shakoor enlisted Jeff and the band to provide back up music for some of her solo dates back in 2009 and, rumor has it, that Jeff and Nadirah have been in talks recently to do some more co-headling dates in 2011. Keep an eye on this site for more details soon. 

 For a full discography, including Jeff's solo cds, and more info on Jeff or A1A you can check out any of the following websites… www.a1a-live.com, www.jeffpikemusic.com, www.jeffpike.com, or www.facebook.com/TheJeffPike

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!