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This weekend at the SOSMP it’s Detroit’s Michal Bailey and the blues, the RedCoats with a Beatle’s Tribute and Extreme Pro Wrestling! Bring the family

It is sure to be exciting this weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) where Michal Bailey will entertain Friday night with his awesome Detroit Blues and then the RedCoats Saturday night with their tribute to the Beatles!

Summer is almost over so this is the perfect time to book a beautiful cabin for the weekend and give the family a vacation they’ll love on the banks of the famous Suwannee River.

Friday night, Aug. 7, the Music Hall will be rocking with one of Detroit’s premier guitar players, Michal Bailey and his Detroit blues! Bailey and his band play about 200 shows a year around the country. He’s had several CDs, including a re-release of Devil’s Ride and two releases last year. Bailey began playing in Detroit’s west Side clubs in 1985 at the tender age of 15 and went on to form his own band in the early 90s. Some of the finest musicians in Michigan play in this band. The Music Hall is sure to be rockin’ Aug. 7 when Michal Bailey and his band come to the SOSMP! Doors open at 6 p.m., Show begins at 7 p.m. Admission Friday night is $5. However, on FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY, the $5 admission fee can be applied to your evening meal and beverages.

Saturday night, Aug. 8, it’s a change of pace from Detroit blues to Beatle’s music that will have you singing along and up on the dance floor remembering the Fab Four. Mike Hanson, John Link, Jim Melvin and John Washburn form the band and provide the vocals with perfect execution of some of the best pop music ever written. These four will perform a lot of Beatle’s music with passion and love every minute of it! And, yes, they might even wear red coats! Or not!

The RedCoats also will provide other Invasion gems from the likes of The Kinks and The Who to name just a few. It’s sure to be a night of pleasure as you revert back to your own Beatle days. Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. $15 admission Saturday night.

Sunday evening, Aug. 9, in the Music Hall it’s Extreme Wrestling with The Wrestling Freak Show. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. There will be six extreme and bizarre matches featuring clowns, midgets and drag queens. A hair vs. hair match and fans bring the weapons match is sure to get the most enthusiastic wrestling out for this one! Admission is $10.

As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have available delicious food and beverages at regular prices every night during events.

If you can’t make it out this weekend, stop by Monday and Thursday nights when Teddy Mac hosts karaoke or Tuesday night when Herold White and the Country Masters get you in the mood to take a spin around the dance floor. Herold White also hosts open mic every Tuesday night for those aspiring singers who are a cut above karaoke. Bring your own CD to sing with or the band will back you up while you perform.

For more information about the SOSMP, the many exciting events scheduled for the coming months, to make reservations for the weekend or to find out more about this weekend’s events, call 386-364-1683 or go to www.musicliveshere.com. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

Smokin’ On the Suwannee BBQ Festival this weekend at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak

All proceeds will go to benefit the Suwannee FFA Chapter

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - Oh, the enchanting smell of finger-licking good barbecue cooking on the grill! But the taste will be even better when the Florida BBQ Association (FBA) sanctioned Smoking’ On the Suwannee BBQ Festival cook-off kicks off this weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park! What are you waiting for! Head on out this weekend and taste some award-winning barbecue and watch these cooks work their magic!

There will also be a Spotlight on Local Talent event Friday night and “the Dog Hunt Man,” David Cooler, Saturday night in the Music Hall. If the barbecue doesn’t make you howl with delight, South Carolina’s own David Cooler is sure to do the trick! Bring your dancing shoes Saturday night!

This very first BBQ Festival is put on by locals Damon Wooley, the contest organizer, and Suwannee Senior Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) Advisor De Broughton. These two have been working hard to make this event a huge success to help provide a sound financial future for the Suwannee FFA. FFA has earned the reputation for molding young people into the future leaders of America. Suwannee FFA has always stood at the front of the line when it comes to training young FFA members in leadership, public speaking, community opportunities and business management and as standouts among their peers.

Competitors in the BBQ cook-off will work in teams to barbecue the best chicken, ribs, pork and brisket possible to be judged by FBA Certified barbecue Judges during the contest. Teams will begin preparation Friday for the Saturday cook-off. Visitors can sample barbecue prepared by teams from all over the Southeast including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. During this family event, visitors are invited to stay for the 5 p.m. awards ceremony on Saturday.

About 50 contestants have already signed up to compete for the prize money. But, it’s not just the prize money that causes these barbecue specialists to travel all over the USA, cooking prize-winning barbecue all the way.

The overall winners and category winners will receive cash prizes and earn valuable points towards FBA Team of the Year. The Grand Champion of the BBQ Festival will quality for the American Royal BBQ Championship in Kansas City and also be in a drawing to compete in the Jack Daniels World Championship in Tennessee.

Admission at the gate is $2 per person or $5 per carload. Admission Friday night to the Music Hall is $5 and $15 Saturday night. As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant at the Music Hall will have delicious foods and beverages available at regular prices each night.

If you haven’t signed up to be a sponsor of this great event, get moving! Contact Wooley at 386-590-6038 or Broughton at 386-688-0454 pronto! It will not only help your business, it will warm your heart and help provide trained leaders for America’s future. And you get a few great perks as well. Call now, you’ll be glad you did!

For more information about overnight or weekend accommodations or to learn more about the Smoking’ On the Suwannee BBQ Festival, Spotlight on Local Talent, David Cooler “The Dog Hunt Man,” Gator Chomp Romp, Colt Ford Show or the many other upcoming events, please call 386-364-1683 or go the SOSMP website at www.musicliveshere.com. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

10-year-old singer/guitarist wins Colgate’s North Florida Country Showdown!

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - She may be little, but she’s loud and talented - and she’s the 2009 Colgate County Showdown North Florida finalist Emily Brook! “I just love performing,” Emily said later after it had sunk in that she will be representing North Florida in the state finals Oct. 25 in Pensacola.

Colby Craig of Lake City was named first runner-up in the NF competition.

The event was sponsored by WQHL 98.1 and the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Kevin Thomas, WQHL radio personality, was the emcee for the exciting event. Thomas was also the emcee last year for not only the North Florida events, but the state finals as well.

Before a packed audience of friends, family and well-wishers who came to cheer on 16 finalists July 17 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, this little strawberry-blond stick of dynamite from Wellington, Florida took the stage near the end of the first round of competition. The audience was silent - how could a child that young have the type talent the judges were looking for? But, by the time she had wowed them with her singing, her infectious smile, her guitar playing and her stage presence, the audience was cheering and clapping loudly for her. Well, here’s the rest of the story. When she returned for her second set of the night, it was apparent this little lady has what it takes. The judges didn’t take long after the competition ended to name her the winner. “When I heard them call my name I was very excited!” Emily said. “It was kind of late after the show so I didn’t get to call any of my friends,” Emily said in a phone interview. “The next day I called some of them and they said ‘Congratulations!” and ‘That’s great!’”

Knowing she could move on to the national finals if she wins just two more times has Emily overjoyed. “I’m just dying to go the Ryman Auditorium and Nashville! Tennessee is a good place to be!” She should know - she and her family visited there recently for the CMA fan week activities, spending the night on the streets in line to see Taylor Swift the next morning. It wasn’t exactly a quiet night…Emily was asked to sing instead of paying for a magazine about Taylor Swift and that had the more than 600 people in line cheering and asking for more. The next several hours Emily was a street performer, playing guitar and singing by request while her mom watched in amazement. The next day, she performed for Taylor Swift’s mother!

Emily said she believes she gets her musical ability from both parents. Her dad played guitar during high school and occasionally plays in their hometown. “I’ve been singing since I was three and in my car seat!” Emily points out when asked about her talent. “We are always riding along singing and doing air guitar!” this soon-to-be fifth grader laughs.

Only eight months ago, she began performing publicly at the Hurricane Grill and Wings in Royal Palm Beach every Saturday night. Emily had only taken guitar lessons for about a year and a half from Mark Boreffi of Boomers Music in Wellington when Boreffi asked her to join him every Saturday night at the Hurricane for his show and do her own 30 minute set, singing and playing guitar! Performing is now in Emily’s blood! Emily’s mother said owner Robert Clark told Emily’s dad he could come over and play his guitar there anytime he wanted, but he had to bring Emily along! Due their daughter’s newfound performance popularity, her mother said she and Emily’s dad are now comfortable just being referred to as “Emily’s parents!”

There’s nothing Emily likes better than getting before a crowd to entertain. When it’s her turn on stage, she takes ownership of the stage, smiling that charming smile while she wraps the audience around her little finger!

That charm, coupled with her amazing talent, could help her to win the state competition where she would receive $1,000 and go on to the regional competition. Regional winners go to Nashville in January of 2010 where they will vie for the coveted Best New Act in Country Music title and a $100,000 check!

Last year’s state winner, Johnny Bulford of Orlando, won the state title at the SOSMP and went on to win the national competition and a $100,000 check!

For more information about the SOSMP, more exciting upcoming events like the huge, sanctioned BBQ Festival this weekend, July 24-25 with a Spotlight on Local Talent July 24 and David Cooler “The Dog Hunt Man” July 25, Michal Bailey and A Night of Detroit Blues Aug. 7, The RedCoats Beatles’ Tribute Aug. 8 and Colt Ford Show Aug. 28 with Johnny Bulford, go to www.musicliveshere.com or call the SOSMP at 386-364-1683. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

Colgate Showdown winners prepare for finals July 17 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Last year’s Florida winner, Johnny Bulford of Orlando, went on to win the regional and the national competition, taking home a check for $100,000! Although Johnny won’t be performing at the Live Oak North Florida finals due to scheduling, he will perform July 11 at the SOSMP’s Music Hall.

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - Six new winners have been chose to compete in the North Florida finals for the Colgate Country Showdown July 17. The winners were chosen Friday night, June 26, during the third and final competition at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. These winners will join 10 previous winners July 17 at the SOSMP to see who will represent North Florida in the Florida Colgate Country Showdown in Pensacola.

Each contestant is vying for a chance to win $100,000 and be named the Best New Act in Country Music in January of 2010.

Winning the final round were Emily Brooke of Wellington, Becky Britt of Live Oak, Michelle Underwood of Live Oak, Whitney Law of Ft. White, Ariel Ratliff of Jasper and Gabrielle Buchanan of Live Oak.

The winner of the North Florida title will compete Oct. 25 at the Pensacola Interstate Fair for the Florida title and the opportunity to move on to a regional event. Winners of the regionals across the country will compete for the national title on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in January 2010.

Last year’s Florida winner, Johnny Bulford of Orlando, went on to win the regional and the national competition, taking home a check for $100,000! Although Johnny won’t be performing at the Live Oak North Florida finals due to scheduling, he will perform July 11 at the SOSMP’s Music Hall. Be sure to plan now to be there to see this fantastic country performer who is a songwriter, guitarist and has his own band. It will be a rare opportunity to hear Johnny Bulford at the SOSMP as this young man is headed to the big time in Nashville and will soon be booked around the country!

The North Florida 2009 Colgate Country Showdown is sponsored by the SOSMP and WQHL 98.1 radio of Live Oak. WQHL radio personality Kevin Thomas is the emcee for local Colgate events. To learn more about the Colgate Country Showdown or the SOSMP, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

The North Florida Final Showdown July 17 will be held in the SOSMP Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., event begins at 7 p.m. As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have delicious food and beverages available from its menu at regular prices.

For overnight or weekend accommodations at the SOSMP, call 386-364-1683. Reserve overnight accommodations early for this event. Beautiful cabins, as well as primitive camping and RV sites with water and sewer hookups, are available. Among the amenities are horseback riding, golf cart rental, bicycle riding, hiking, jogging and much, much more.

Come join Mike Mullis and his band WhooWhee June 27 in A Night of Lynyrd Skynyrd music at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - It will be a rousing good time this Saturday night, June 27, at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak when Mike Mullis and his band WhooWhee brings to their fans A Night of Lynyrd Skynyrd music.

Mike, a Gainesville area musician and songwriter who has made other appearances at the SOSMP to the delight of his fans, will have his band in top shape for this special performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd music that will have the rafters rocking and dance floor shaking before the night is over!

Mike is a drummer, vocalist, songwriter who on his last trip to the SOSMP brought the house down with his rendition of Wipeout. Just a few of the artists Mike has opened for include .38 Special, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry, Sawyer Brown, John Conlee, Billy Dean, Suzy Bogguss, Tommy Cash, Johnny Cash’s brother (6 White Horses), David Houston (Almost Persuaded), Johnny Russell (Rednecks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer), Nat Stuckey (Pop-A-Top Again), Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery, Sonny James Band, Razzy Bailey (Midnight Hauler), Del Reeves, Becky Hobbs, Justin Tubb (Earnest Tubb’s son) and Michael Twitty (Conway Twitty’s son). Mike has played drums on a studio CD project for Miss Florida Kylie Williams and co-wrote words and music for the song "GatorChomp," a rollicking song about the UF football program. GatorChomp was a licensed collegiate product sold throughout Florida and at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gift Shop.

Doors open to the Music Hall at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. Admission for this fabulous Mike Mullis event is $15 at the door. As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have available at regular prices wonderful selections from the menu along with your favorite beverages. Dancing is encouraged!

On Friday night, June 26, there will be final competition for the North Florida Colgate Country Showdown in the Music Hall where winners have the opportunity to try for area, state and regional titles leading to the national finals where if they win, they will be awarded $100,000 in cash and named the Best New Country Act in America in January 2010! Don’t miss this exciting event beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night.

If you would like to make reservations for the weekend at the SOSMP or find out more about this weekend’s events or other upcoming events, give the SOSMP a call at 386-364-1683 or go to the website at www.musicliveshere.com. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

America’s Comedian Tommy Blaze to entertain at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park June 1

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA - This Saturday night, June 13, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is proud to bring to you one of America’s top comedians, author and internet comic strip designer Tommy Blaze.

Blaze has been called America’s premiere relationship comic and a funny Dr. Phil. He’s performed on military bases, in casinos, cruise chips, churches, TV, film, comedy clubs and colleges to audiences who just couldn’t stop laughing.

Blaze discovered the source of wisdom and comic inspiration for his new CD, Twice

Bitten, in a most unlikely place; The Holy Bible. Says Blaze, “The Bible is the best self help book ever written and comes with a triple your money back guarantee, but only if

you read it.” Twice Bitten is neither sacrilegious nor sanctimonious, but rather an honest

and hysterical depiction of why marriages and couples are in a present state of disarray.

Blaze is working on several other projects in addition to his stand-up comedy. One Question For God is his new book that poses a simple scenario; if you could ask God one question, what would you ask? To date, Blaze has collected thousands of questions from across the globe.

Additionally, he writes the internet based comic strip Knocking on Heaven’s Door, which

follows the misadventures of a six-year-old boy and his very special best friend.

Music Hall doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 per person for the Tommy Blaze performance.

As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have available delicious meals and beverages at regular prices during all shows in the Music Hall.

Plan to spend the weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park this weekend and enjoy Tommy Blaze on Saturday night and also the first of three Colgate Country Showdown North Florida contests Friday night, June 12. The Colgate Showdown will have two more contests June 19 and 26 to pick winners who will vie for the North Florida Colgate Showdown title July 17 in the Music Hall.

For more information about both events and the SOSMP, go to musicliveshere.com or give the SOSMP a call at 386-364-1683. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!