Florida Follies and looking Forward to our Future

UPCOMING SHOWS
05.24.12 - Prison Brews (Jefferson City, MO)
05.26.12 - Meadowgrass Music Festival (Black Forest, CO)
05.27.12 - Quixote's True Blue (Denver, CO)
05.31.12 - River Jam Concert Series (Charlotte, NC)


May 1-11: Florida and Georgia

We spent 10 days playing through Florida and Georgia at the beginning of this month.  It was quite a trip, to say the least; but overshadowing the new venues and fans was the fact that it was our maiden voyage with Scott Moss, our new singer.  Even though we knew that we had made a great decision, it's always nice to first see a crowd's reaction to the new lineup, and the fans didn't disappoint. Here are some highlights of the trip.

The first gig at The Beach Side Tavern (which was 3 blocks away from the beach) was a good warm-up gig for us.  We were able to work through any nerves and hesitations about learning an entire show with Scott in just two practice sessions.

We also had to make a quick stop at the beach, just long enough to say "hi."   Here, our resident bird expert is showing us how sanderlings interact with the water.  Wook never fails to impress.

The second gig at Guanabana's was great.  We pulled about 100 people up to the stage and they absolutely loved us.  This is when we knew for sure that we "had it."  We connected with a crowd that is not used to seeing banjos on-stage, but they were totally into the show and every song.   We knew the music was good, but it was such a relief to know that we can completely connect with a crowd and get them fired up.  

The third gig was at one of the best venues we've ever been to, Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, FL.   We played between sets of a Grateful Dead cover band who has been playing there for over 12 years, and again, the crowd loved us.  The guys in Uncle John's Band told us that we had the best crowd interaction of anyone playing with them in 5 or 6 years.

I joined the band for a few songs in their second set and then was able to just sit back and enjoy hearing some of the best music ever made.  

 

Skipper's Smokehouse in the daytime.  It completely transforms at night and feels like a parking lot of a Grateful Dead show. 

Sitting in with the house band, Uncle John's Band

After the show at Skippers, we were invited to go across the street to another venue where a local roots band was playing, The Apple Butter Express.   They invited me to sit in with them, making this the third band I played with that night.  Yes, we fell in love with Tampa. Here's a video of us playing the classic "I Know You Rider."

This is the manager of this Best Western in Bradenton FL, he took a liking to us and helped us get rooms for the rest of the trip.

Egor, the White Egret that comes and eats eggs and grits every morning in the front of the Best Western

We finally had a day off, and we just so happened to be at a beautiful beach: Fernandina Beach, FL.  The following picture is a rooftop bar where we hung out, and after dark we ended up playing a couple of acoustic sets for some new friends that we made. So much for the day off!

We FINALLY have a day off at the beach.  

A nice sunset at Fernandino Beach FL. 

We met up with an old friend from Stuart, VA, Chris Prutting, for a place to stay in Savannah, GA. Check out his festival, The Front Porch Festival in Stuart. Our friends Big Something will be playing there this year. 

I love the streets of Savannah GA. 

The last pic is at the hotel after our gig.  At 3:30 in the morning, we were sitting outside working on new ideas for songs.   Like Bob Marley sings, "Everything's gonna be alright!"

I'd like to say one last thing before I sign off. I know that it looks like we've been through a lot of change lately, and I can understand that it could look like we've hit a rough patch; but trust me on this, things have fallen into place for us better than we could have even imagined.  At this stage of our musical careers, we have made a promise to ourselves and each other that we will make decisions that will strengthen us, no matter how hard they are.  We have a core group of people that are all completely dedicated to living up to this promise and our outlook for the future is as bright as it has ever been.  Thank you for sticking with us though all this change. The next time you see us, just close your eyes, open your ears, and hear the music that fills the room.  I think you'll be as happy as we are. 

Brian and Big Daddy Love

SPREAD THE LOVE

We would LOVE for you to help us out with the street team activities. If you'd like to help promote an upcoming show, email streetteam@ufomusic.net and we will set you up with everything you need. We've got great e-flyers, widgets, and other tools you can use to help promote online, so if you've got Internet access, you can help! If you want to hang up posters, hand out flyers, and talk to real people, feel free to print up the digital posters. And of course, we'd also love your help over at the merch booth! Check out the list of places we could use help spreading the love.

05.24.12 - Prison Brews (Jefferson City, MO)
05.27.12 - Quixote's True Blue (Denver, CO)
05.31.12 - River Jam Concert Series (Charlotte, NC)
06.01.12 - The Pour House (Raleigh, NC)
06.08.12 - Empty Glass (Charleston, WV)
06.14.12 - Galaxy Lounge (Johnson City, TN)
06.15.12 - High Rock Outfitters (Lexington, NC)
06.16.12 - Quincey's Pizza (Damascus, VA)