Post by l3 on Nov 3, 2014 13:06:27 GMT -6
FLORIDA--Fun in the sun. That's what it was all about on our recent trip to the sunshine state. It was a long drive to the Tampa area but once we were there, all three shows were about an hours drive apart. How sweet that is! Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!
First stop was Apollo Beach, home to Oasis on the Boulevard and number one fan Bob Cates and his lovely wife Denise. They also were kind enough to offer the band a comfortable place to spend the night which is a nice break from the hotel scene. I know it may sound repetitive but the show ROCKED, as did all three shows in Fla. Anthony is on fire and playing his guitar better than ever. Theo and Fred are a smokin' Rhythm Section and AG can go anywhere with his music and the guys are right there behind him. This was my first trip to this part of F-L-A with the band and it was great meeting the fans that Anthony has made. Great seeing the Wiz Beanies at all three shows along with daughter Sarah. Meeting super fan Kelly was great and yes, making all three sets of equal "greatness" pleased her. Thanks to club owner Chevy for providing a great venue and steak dinner along with it. John Price rocked the house with his sound. All the way around it was an outstanding show appreciated by all.
After a comfortable nights rest and a great brunch consisting of Bob Cates world famous BBQ, we set off on the long ride (55 minutes) to Bradenton which is home to Aces, a well known Florida Blues Club. As we arrived Anthony warned me of a two story load in and as I opened the back door, Lo and behold the stage was right there , not more than 10ft. from the back of the van. What a comedian! VERY FUNNY GOMES. Aces has a great atmosphere and is set up as a music room with a balcony along two sides. The marquis showed a live band every night through the month of October with local, regional and national acts performing. Thanks to Bob on sound for a great job.
After setting up stage and merch area we proceeded across the street (how convenient) to the quaint motel known as the Parrot Inn, an old time motel with a Jimmy Buffet theme and huge palm trees shading the entire place. A great spot to spend a relaxing late afternoon and early evening. My kinda place!
Back across the street and its Showtime. And yes, what a show. I can't emphasize enough of how impressed I am with this band. Talk about "on fire". Anthony is starting to resurrect some older songs and jam min' like a wild man--Right Woman, Blind Dog off the hook. And a hot new one called Nasty Good.
Wiz Beanies and Sarah were back in the house along with Bob Cates and friends and a surprise visit from World Famous Margaret who happened to be in Florida visiting her friend Diane. Great meeting the Aces regulars who were definitely into the show. As in all three shows, the merch booth, (which is full of great stuff to buy), was a steady stream of people thanking Anthony for a great and memorable show. Back to the Parrot Inn for a plateful of Bobs' Q and a restful night.
Saturday morning and off to Brooksville for the final event--Camping with the Blues. This was first of what will become an annual event and Paul Benjamin and friends did a great job on what I'm sure will get bigger and better as time goes on. This was held out in the woods at the Sertoma Youth Ranch and was a beautiful setting. There was an open air and covered seating area so in the case of a Florida shower you stayed comfortable. Not to worry that day as it was a sunny comfortable 80 degree day. The area was full of Live Oak trees with Spanish moss providing a shaded camping area full of tents and campers there for two and a half days of top notch music. This is the way to go to a blues festival.
What a great lineup we had on Saturday; Anthony Gomes, Biscuit Miller, Albert Castiglia, Shawn Chambers and Victor Wainright, all providing their brand of blues. All kindred spirits and a real great vibe all through the show. If I had to pick the best show of the run, this " heels over head" was the one. The guys were kill in' it and the crowd was definitely into it, standing up, dancing and shaking the house. The merch booth (have I told you how cool it is with shirt racks and lots of cool stuff and more albums to sell every month) was lined up with people after the set buying merch and full of compliments about the show. These Florida folks get it. Thanks to Paul Benjamin and Jack Sullivan for making this happen!
And man, what a totally off the hook jam after the show. All the artists partook with several band members and gave them a two song set to remember. This was a special evening for all involved. It was good to see some long time fans from Fla like Bill and Mary ( who currently have the guitar from Unity on display in their home as well as special thanks to the Wiz Beanies for hosting the afterparty at the hotel. Great to spend time with B and the Doc and boys again. Put this festival on your calendar for the future as its a blast. Better yet, make plans to hit the road and catch this band sooner than later.
Florida was a blast and can't wait to get back. Gotta go now. Sorry this is a little late but as Grandpa Jones said, "better late than never)
Lotsa Luv and C U down the road.
Larry Larry Larry
First stop was Apollo Beach, home to Oasis on the Boulevard and number one fan Bob Cates and his lovely wife Denise. They also were kind enough to offer the band a comfortable place to spend the night which is a nice break from the hotel scene. I know it may sound repetitive but the show ROCKED, as did all three shows in Fla. Anthony is on fire and playing his guitar better than ever. Theo and Fred are a smokin' Rhythm Section and AG can go anywhere with his music and the guys are right there behind him. This was my first trip to this part of F-L-A with the band and it was great meeting the fans that Anthony has made. Great seeing the Wiz Beanies at all three shows along with daughter Sarah. Meeting super fan Kelly was great and yes, making all three sets of equal "greatness" pleased her. Thanks to club owner Chevy for providing a great venue and steak dinner along with it. John Price rocked the house with his sound. All the way around it was an outstanding show appreciated by all.
After a comfortable nights rest and a great brunch consisting of Bob Cates world famous BBQ, we set off on the long ride (55 minutes) to Bradenton which is home to Aces, a well known Florida Blues Club. As we arrived Anthony warned me of a two story load in and as I opened the back door, Lo and behold the stage was right there , not more than 10ft. from the back of the van. What a comedian! VERY FUNNY GOMES. Aces has a great atmosphere and is set up as a music room with a balcony along two sides. The marquis showed a live band every night through the month of October with local, regional and national acts performing. Thanks to Bob on sound for a great job.
After setting up stage and merch area we proceeded across the street (how convenient) to the quaint motel known as the Parrot Inn, an old time motel with a Jimmy Buffet theme and huge palm trees shading the entire place. A great spot to spend a relaxing late afternoon and early evening. My kinda place!
Back across the street and its Showtime. And yes, what a show. I can't emphasize enough of how impressed I am with this band. Talk about "on fire". Anthony is starting to resurrect some older songs and jam min' like a wild man--Right Woman, Blind Dog off the hook. And a hot new one called Nasty Good.
Wiz Beanies and Sarah were back in the house along with Bob Cates and friends and a surprise visit from World Famous Margaret who happened to be in Florida visiting her friend Diane. Great meeting the Aces regulars who were definitely into the show. As in all three shows, the merch booth, (which is full of great stuff to buy), was a steady stream of people thanking Anthony for a great and memorable show. Back to the Parrot Inn for a plateful of Bobs' Q and a restful night.
Saturday morning and off to Brooksville for the final event--Camping with the Blues. This was first of what will become an annual event and Paul Benjamin and friends did a great job on what I'm sure will get bigger and better as time goes on. This was held out in the woods at the Sertoma Youth Ranch and was a beautiful setting. There was an open air and covered seating area so in the case of a Florida shower you stayed comfortable. Not to worry that day as it was a sunny comfortable 80 degree day. The area was full of Live Oak trees with Spanish moss providing a shaded camping area full of tents and campers there for two and a half days of top notch music. This is the way to go to a blues festival.
What a great lineup we had on Saturday; Anthony Gomes, Biscuit Miller, Albert Castiglia, Shawn Chambers and Victor Wainright, all providing their brand of blues. All kindred spirits and a real great vibe all through the show. If I had to pick the best show of the run, this " heels over head" was the one. The guys were kill in' it and the crowd was definitely into it, standing up, dancing and shaking the house. The merch booth (have I told you how cool it is with shirt racks and lots of cool stuff and more albums to sell every month) was lined up with people after the set buying merch and full of compliments about the show. These Florida folks get it. Thanks to Paul Benjamin and Jack Sullivan for making this happen!
And man, what a totally off the hook jam after the show. All the artists partook with several band members and gave them a two song set to remember. This was a special evening for all involved. It was good to see some long time fans from Fla like Bill and Mary ( who currently have the guitar from Unity on display in their home as well as special thanks to the Wiz Beanies for hosting the afterparty at the hotel. Great to spend time with B and the Doc and boys again. Put this festival on your calendar for the future as its a blast. Better yet, make plans to hit the road and catch this band sooner than later.
Florida was a blast and can't wait to get back. Gotta go now. Sorry this is a little late but as Grandpa Jones said, "better late than never)
Lotsa Luv and C U down the road.
Larry Larry Larry