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2010

Saturday July 10th  -   10:00 am - 7:00pm

Sunday July 11th    -    10:00 am - 5:00pm

 

MUSIC:

 

Saturday
10am-12:00pm
 Vytas Vybes
12:30-3:30pm  Jim Morris
4:00-7:00p.m. Deb and the Dynamics

 

Sunday
10:00am-12:00pm The Fiddler & I
12:00-1:30pm Soapbox
2:00-5:00pm Grupo Batey 
 (Latin Jazz Band)

 

   

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JIM MORRIS

Jim Morris is an articulate singer/songwriter with a devotion to storytelling. Whether it is a thoughtful ballad about doomed love or an anthem to a night of drunken revelry, the listener can always count on well-crafted songs with carefully drawn characters, clever lyrics, and satirical charm.

Although Jim’s musical style is reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker, he has a knack for defying categorization. He mixes a whimsical island sound with a splash of Texas to produce a sound that is uniquely Gulf and Western.

Jim grew up in Georgia and Florida and has a heritage rich in music. His grandfather led a dance band, and everyone in the family either played an instrument or sang. At age 10 Jim taught himself to play the guitar by listening to Hank Williams records. After college while pursuing a career in human resources management, he continued to write songs and dream of the day when he could do it full-time. “After I graduated, I wanted to be a drifter and a writer; instead, I settled for corporate executive and closet entertainer.”

During his 15-year corporate career, his job allowed him to live in several interesting locales, such as Montana, New Orleans, St. Simons Island, and the Chesapeake Bay area, all of which would figure prominently in his writing. Following a business trip during which he renewed his love affair with the southwest coast of Florida, Jim took the leap he had been contemplating for some time and left the corporate world for good.

Jim’s initial plan was to write songs and play gigs around Florida. From the beginning he took a big risk by featuring original music. “I spent about a year writing and developing a catalog of songs. I was unsure of my ability to sing and play the guitar professionally, but I thought my songs might separate me from the other performers.”

A fortuitous meeting with recording artist Randy Matthews would result in Matthews producing Jim’s first recording, “Laid Back and Key Wasted,” released in 1996 by Fish Head Music. As you would expect, each song tells a story: the title track is about a guy who gives up the corporate world for the beach; one is about the exploits of a pilot who flies contraband; another is about roadkill and the people who collect it; others tell great stories of sailing, fishing, and drinking. “After my first CD was released, I changed my focus. I stopped playing bars so much and I worked coffeehouses and bookstores. I wanted to play before a listening audience who might appreciate what I had to say. I made less money, but I started to develop a fan base.” Now those fans travel from all over the country to catch one of Jim’s sold out shows.

Hoping to capitalize on his ability to be a prolific songwriter, Jim decided to release a new CD every year. He saw this as another way to separate himself from other artists. In the eight years since “Laid Back and Key Wasted” debuted, Jim has released eight additional studio CDs, three live CDs and two compilations. He found that he was capable of creating memorable stories in a variety of musical moods and settled on a formula that he was comfortable with and that people seem to enjoy: some tropical, some jazz, some country, some acoustic folk, and some humor. It certainly reflected his musical tastes. Although his CDs showcase a variety of musical styles, they have amazing continuity.

With the success of each CD, the pressure grew to perform more outside the state of Florida. Although Jim wanted to be a “lifestyle artist,” fishing by day and playing music by night, he also wanted to broaden his fan base which required him to travel more. He formed the Big Bamboo Band in order to capture the full sound of his CDs in live performances. Currently, Jim plays approximately 125 shows a year, with an almost 50/50 split between solo shows and band shows. Last year he played in 26 different states as well as Belize and the Bahamas. He explains, “I have a collection of songs that is more conducive to a listening audience, and a collection that is more conducive to a hell-raising party crowd. I am able to cover both situations without much duplication. Playing with the Big Bamboo Band requires more discipline and concentration than playing solo. It took a while to get used to it. Playing with a band is like playing team sports, and you get the same feelings after a tight performance that you do when you win the big game.”

In addition to being a singer-songwriter and recording artist, Jim also runs his own record label, Fish Head Music, a small but very successful operation. “Running the business is very satisfying. I get involved in every detail from producing the music to designing the T-shirts. I didn’t spend more than a few minutes deciding whether or not I wanted to be an independent artist. Had I started when I was younger, I might have felt differently about it. At this stage, I have the luxury of playing as little or as much as I want. For me it was never about whether or not I could be famous, but whether or not I could be successful doing things my own way.”

Jim will continue to direct his efforts toward expanding his fan base and touring with the Big Bamboo Band. He will still make time for fishing and boating and will always be on the lookout for song material. “I don’t have much to show for my years except some great experiences, and that’s what I write about – the characters I’ve met and the places I’ve been. The thing that is both satisfying and alarming is that most of it is true.”
 

 

Deb and the Dynamics
 

 

 

DEB SALYER (Bass Guitar, Vocals)

RICK RUSSELL (Keyboards, Harmonica, Mandolin & Vocals)
NEWT COLE (Tenor, Alto, Baritone Sax , Percussion, & Vocals)
DON HULGAS (Tenor, Baritone Sax , Percussion, & Vocals)
NICK LONGOBARDI (Drums)
DAN KEADY (Lead, Rhythm Guitars & Vocals)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deb & The Dynamics have been thrilling crowds for the last seven years. Whether it be huge events like the (50,000 in attendance), Fourth of July Red, White, & Boom Celebration in Cape Coral, private parties, events, weddings, & club dates this band delivers a professional, high energy, goodtime show every night.
Steeped in vintage Motown, Memphis Soul, Classic R&B, & Jump Blues traditions, Deb & The Dynamics prides itself in being the ultimate dance/party band. Your audience will be treated to several stirring sets including many classic hits, medleys, and sing-alongs. Their set lists include crowd favorites from artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, BB King, Janis Joplin and many others.

 

 

The Fiddler and I -- Fiddling With A Difference

In the small melting pot of varied and different kinds of music to be heard on Pine Island, you’d be hard pressed to find a group that touches on the variety being made by the duo of “The Fiddler and I.” Becky Cole and Pat Olkowski have been playing for the last two years at various clubs, restaurants and functions. According to Pat, every fiddler that’s been playing for any length of time has a vast repertoire of styles and types of tunes they play. A good tune is a good tune. Of course you can play or sing any song an infinite variety of ways. “The Fiddler and I” does just that on a good portion of the fiddle tunes they play. You can easily get caught up in the mood of the audience, says Pat. ”Irish, Old-Time, Bluegrass, Cajun, Jug Band, Gay 90’s, Blues, Folk, Island Songs and Etc. just about covers what we do.” “We always start out a set with a song list but always stray from it.”

Pat picked up the fiddle in the early 70’s while working on the Alaska Pipeline, but he had been playing guitar from the early 60’s. “When I got to Alaska I had been following mostly ‘Peter, Paul and Mary’ and Simon & Garfunkle style folk songs with a little Roger Miller Country mixed in.” “On arrival to Alaska I got exposed to so much music of all kinds that a banjo was quickly acquired followed soon after by a mandolin.” “If you play mandolin for any length of time, you eventually pick up the fiddle,” said Pat. “So it wasn’t long before I had to have a fiddle.” “I didn’t know at the time I was taking on a lifetime endeavor.” “Most fiddle players own one. I own about six right now, but haven’t played any of them for a couple years”. “I acquired a 5 string viola sometime ago, and started to play that a couple years ago with a local Old-Time Bluegrass Band. “The viola has a little more ‘grunt’ to it when you want it and adding the high E string enables you to also play it like a violin or fiddle. Most people don’t notice the difference.”

Becky Cole started guitar at Pat’s suggestion about 5 years ago. She had dabbled at mandolin for a while, but on starting guitar gave it up. “She continually surprises me,” says Pat. “A musical instrument picked up later in life can be a real challenge. Then to have to learn a variety of rhythms can be over whelming, but she’s handled most of these challenges as I’ve thrown them at her.” Even within the “Irish” venue there’s a different beat for jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes and airs. Then along with the more common 6/8 ‘jig’ category you have to include ‘slip jigs’ and ‘double jigs’. Becky has done a great job at all this along with her continuing to expand her vocal repertoire. But more than anything she has a natural born “June Carter” style stage presence of fun and mischief which is just about impossible to learn.

“It’s hard to play them all really good, but Pat does a decent job on mandolin, flat pickin guitar, and claw hammer banjo,” says Becky. “Whatever he’s backing us up on seems to be right for the song”, “But he can really make the fiddle talk.” “He’s played all these instruments in a variety of bands through the years and taken something away from all.” “So if you like a variety of music with a heavy dose of fiddle styles, you’ll like us.”

“We play regularly at ‘Coast Connection’ in Bokeelia and it has been a real treat. It’s a new place run by Scotty and Tonya Player and sits with the perfect view of ‘Jug Creek” and ‘Shell Pass.’ It’s the best taste of “Old Florida” you’ll find in the County or even State,” says Pat. “And Scotty, with his South Carolina charm, is quite an accomplished rhythm percussionist on whatever he’s playing. “He often joins in on ‘Washboard’, conga drum, sticks and whatever”, says Pat. If we all don’t get your toes tapping, this music probably isn’t for you”

 

 

Soap Box

SoapBox is one of southwest Florida's most sought after classic and new rock cover bands. This power trio includes long time Pine Island resident Jeff Walker ( aka Stix ) on Lead Vocals and Drums, Dawn Metzner ( aka Shredder ) on Guitar and Vocals and Molly Brown on Bass and Vocals. Jeff started singing and performing at only 9 years old and brings a tremendous amount of energy and experience to the group. Raised on gospel and good ol' classic rock and roll, Jeff's powerful drumming and immaculate singing definitely captivate the audience at every show. His favorite bands are The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk Railroad. Born into a family of musicians from Juilliard, Dawn has been performing professionally since the age of 5. Accepted to The Berklee School of Music, she is an award winning and accomplished musician on both guitar and piano. Her favorite bands are The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam with strong influences from legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Molly Brown is the self taught bassist and sound guru of the band. Playing creative grooves with several years of experience in the local music scene she adds an extraordinary edge to this unique trio. Molly's favorite bands are The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Led Zeppelin. SoapBox plays a wide variety of music covering tunes from popular groups like Cream, Cheap Trick, Uriah Heep, The Eagles, Molly Hatchet, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Green Day, The Violent Femmes, Nirvana and many more. For more information and a schedule of events and upcoming performances visit the websites www.myspace.com/soapboxrock   and www.facebook.com/soapboxrock.

 


BATEY LATIN JAZZ BAND


Batey Latin Jazz is one of the best Latin Jazz Bands in Southwest Florida. They have studied the genre of Latin Jazz and Salsa as well as Merenge, Ballads and Cumbia. They bring that New York and Puerto Rico style and their repertoire covers some of the best well known songs.

Joe Yambo who is the Director has been playing the piano since 12 years. Batey Latin Jazz was established in 2005, since then they have performed live at: Gulf Coast Town Center, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cape Coral and Fort Myers Festivals, Bise's Restaurant, The Promenade in Naples, Timbales Restaurant Grand Opening in Cape Coral, Island Resort in Captiva, Maria's Restaurant in Lehigh Acres just to mention a few.

Recently, the band released a new CD called "Batey Latin Jazz Live at Cape Coral" it is a collection of some familiar songs that you will enjoy listening and dancing to. Read more and listen to some of their wonderful music.: http://www.myspace.com/bateylatinjazzband1
 

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P.O. Box 525
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