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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 s mall
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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