PORT ST. JOE — Gulf County will be filled with award-winning songwriters this weekend, as the sixth annual Blast on the Bay Songwriters’ Festival kicked off Friday.
The festival is welcoming 30 Nashville-based songwriters to the area and a series of free concerts is being held along the coast at venues from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass. The three-day event showcases the behind-the-scenes talents who have written hits for country stars like Faith Hill, Jason Aldean and Garth Brooks.
Hosting venues this year include the Indian Pass Raw Bar; Coneheads 8020 on Cape San Blas; The Thirsty Goat, Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar, Haughty Heron and Provisions in Port St. Joe; The Lookout Lounge in St. Joe Beach; and Mango Marley’s and Toucan’s in Mexico Beach.
Four songwriters will appear at each concert held during the festival and will trade off playing not only songs they love, but the ones that made them award-winning writers.
While listeners may recognize the hits, they may be surprised to hear them played in their original forms by multiple talents, potentially on different instruments.
Saturday, a free workshop for aspiring songwriters will be held at Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar in Port St. Joe.
“If you enjoy writing songs for any reason, what you can learn from the workshop is invaluable,” said songwriter Charlie Black.
Those interested in attending can register for the workshop online.
This year’s festival lineup includes Aaron Barker, Alan Rhody, Bill Whyte, Alissa Moreno, Bob Regan, Brett Jones, Bridgette Tatum, Charlie & Dana Black, Casey Black, Earl Bud Lee, Hugh Mitchell, Jerry Salley, Jesse Rice, Jillia Jackson, Joshua Charles, Pete Sallis, Liz Sharpe, Riley Weston, Sam Brooker, Steve Dean, Victoria Venier, Walt Aldridge, Wil Nance and Will Rambeaux.
In the final days leading up to the festival, event organizer Jason Bogankept busy doing final promotions for the festival and handling logistics to ensure everything was ready for the writers to roll in. He said he was fielding calls from people in Nashville, Tenn., Panama City and Tallahassee who are all interested in attending the festival.
Festival schedule
The sixth annual Blast on the Bay Songwriters’ Fest runs through Sunday and brings a series of free concerts to area venues from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass. All events are free to attend. All times and locations are subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to visit www.BlastontheBay.com for the latest updates. All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
Saturday
Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar
11:30 p.m.: Victoria Venier, Steve Dean, Bill Whyte
12:45 p.m.: Charlie Black, Dana Hunt Black, Casey Black, Alan Rhody
Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar
2 p.m.: Songwriters’ Workshop
Lookout Lounge
5 p.m.: Aaron Barker, Bridgette Tatum, Earl Bud Lee
7 p.m.: Will Rambeaux, Elizabeth Sharpe, Aaron Spraggs, Sam Brooker
Provisions
6 p.m.: Alan Rhody and Nancy Faber
Toucan’s (Times are CDT)
6 p.m.: Charlie Black, Dana Hunt Black, Casey Black
8 p.m.: Victoria Venier, Steve Dean, Bill White
10 p.m.: Brett Jones, Jesse Rice, Riley Weston, Pete Salis
Haughty Heron
7 p.m.: Walt Aldridge, Alisa Moreno, Joshua Charles, Wil Nance
9 p.m.: Bob Regan, Jerry Salley, Jillia Jackson, Hugh Mitchell
Sunday
The Port Inn (Brunch Show)
11 p.m.: Bo Spring, Lauren Spring, Jerry Sally
Indian Pass Raw Bar
2 p.m.: Walt Aldridge, Alisa Moreno, Joshua Charles, Wil Nance
3 p.m.: Bob Regan, Jerry Salley, Jillia Jackson, Hugh Mitchell
5 p.m.: Aaron Barker, Bridgette Tatum, Earl Bud Lee, Nancy Faber
6:30 p.m.: Brett Jones, Jesse Rice, Riley Weston, Pete Salis
8 p.m.: Will Rambeaux, Elizabeth Sharpe, Aaron Spraggs, Sam Brooker
9:30 p.m.: Late Night Jam Session