Acoustic Pete Fundraiser at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe, Sarasota

Kudos to all who organized and ran the big fundraiser at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe, in Sarasota, on Sunday, August 4, to help local musician Acoustic Pete Arevalo with medical expenses.

Continuous great music by a succession of 14 different bands, food, drinks, t-shirts and CDs, and hard-working JR and staff made for a wonderful afternoon and evening event. Somehow, the hot weather didn't matter much, with lots of borrowed pop-up tents set up in the parking lot and a huge crowd full of good spirits and warm wishes.

David Smash Opens for Holly Williams in Sarasota

On Saturday, February 16, 2013, local Sarasota bandleader David Smash will open for singer/songwriter Holly Williams (daughter of Hank Williams, Jr.) at a solo acoustic show that begins at 8PM at WSLR radio station's performance space at 525 Kumquat Court, in Sarasota FL.

Williams is in town to open for Sheryl Crow at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. The WSLR concert offers an intimate yet spacious venue from which to appreciate the talents of both Smash and Williams. Tickets are $10 at the door.

David Smash's visibility on the Sarasota live music scene gained momentum on New Year's Eve, when he and his band -- including a wicked horn section -- took to the main stage directly under the "Pineapple" poised for its midnight drop, and rocked the huge crowd with his powerful delivery of classic covers such as "Minnie the Moocher" and debut versions of new original tunes such as "In My Small Town". Even in the chaotic street scene of New Year's Eve, Smash got the crowd clapping, dancing, and singing back to him.

Here's some video from those heady onstage moments:

David Smash New Year's Bash in Downtown Sarasota

Local music whiz David Smash promises a high-energy New Year's Eve performance at the foot of the pineapple drop at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Backing him up will be his band, enhanced for the night with a stellar horn section.

The David Smash band is scheduled to play from 10:30 to 11:30 PM on Monday night, December 31st, in downtown Sarasota, between the Gator Club and Mattison's City Grille. Plan to park several blocks away and push your way through a densely packed New Year's Eve crowd. This will be a memorable night made even more so by Smash's signature band leading and lead guitar and vocals

Always danceable and full of good cheer and fun, Smash's shows are well worth showing up for.

Tapert Sparling Reunion Concert in Grosse Pointe Park MI

What always stops me in my tracks is the sound of unique voices and passionate musical performance. What gets me writing tonight is the surprise of finding Don Tapert and Tim Sparling performing in a reunion concert last July in Grosse Pointe MI.

It's been 25 years since I heard Tapert play live -- in New York, Michigan and Nashville -- and the sound of "Errol Flynn", one of his soulful original compositions, brought me right back to those prolific songwriting years.


With deep roots in Detroit blues and later adventures in country music, Tapert's style is uniquely his own. Adept at everything from beautifully rendered folk classics to original story songs to hard-driving rockin' dance tunes, he's a deft band leader who knows how to deliver a good show.



I hope this reunion is only the beginning of a new chapter for Tapert and his band. Too much mojo here to keep hidden from deserving fans.

David Smash in the News

David Smash is finding a place at the musical table in the Sarasota live music scene. Local media is taking notice with recent articles in The Observer and SRQ Magazine. His candor, positive outlook and appreciation for the opportunities he's finding here are inspiring.

Oh, yeah, and his music rocks. Go listen and dance at Ocean Blues Monday night. Can't help but smile.

David Smash at WSLR Concert

Tomorrow, Friday May 4th, David Smash will open for the Dirty River band from Louisiana at WSLR community radio station auditorium (525 Kumquat Ct.(at Orange Avenue and 6th Street in Sarasota). 

He'll perform from 8 - 8:30PM. If you can make it, you'll enjoy a solid half hour of interesting music well-played and enthusiastically presented by David Smash. 

Bain Beakley at the 5 O'Clock Club

Was intrigued to see Bain Beakley onstage tonight at the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club in Sarasota. Having seen him perform in several venues around the Sarasota live music scene for the past year, as a solo act and backing up various bands, I thought I knew his "sounds", both instrumental and vocal.

But when he stepped out front for a few lead breaks tonight, I was blown away to hear him wail on that guitar. Did not know about the screamin' bluesman he's been hiding away.  Looking forward to more of that soulful sound.


Bain Beakley can be seen playing at Sarasota Vineyard and Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota, at SKOB on Siesta Key, and various other music spots in this amazingly musical town.

David Smash at Ocean Blues

I'll cut to the chase: You absolutely must make it over to Ocean Blues on Hillview Street in Southside Village, Sarasota, on Monday night to hear David Smash and his band.

Here's a look and a listen. But video cannot convey the magic and the fun of seeing this talented young entertainer perform in person. He engages the whole room and has fun with the band, too.


David Smash's glib mastery of a soulful and dextrous electric guitar, punchy and throaty vocals reminiscent of Elvis and other iconic American blues singers, and stage presence of someone much more seasoned . . . well, he's quite the phenom in a town already full of amazing musicians.

On a related note, it's so great to finally have an alternative to the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club next door. Ocean Blues is blissfully smoke-free, with a classy interior and shiny dance floor that fills up with people of all ages who simply love to dance. Service at the bar is attentive and friendly. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood and to the Sarasota live music scene.

Kettle of Fish at SKOB with Jimmie Fadden

Yet another unique feature of the Sarasota live music scene is the seamless collaboration of musicians from different generations, along with audiences of all ages enjoying the same show.

Case in point: Kettle of Fish offering up yet another evening of masterful bluesy rock at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) on Siesta Key. Each player is master of his domain instrumentally -- base, lead, rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica -- and all four offer up a nice blend of harmonies, with each also taking turns on lead vocals.

Jimmie Fadden, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, is just one of the bandmates here, and I get a kick out of seeing the group perform 60s rock tunes -- a live memory no doubt for Jimmie and fresh classics for the other, younger players.

There are so many incredible, world-class (yes, I've said it before here) musicians in Sarasota -- like Jimmie Fadden -- and it's great that they can simply keep playing . . . on and on and on. And that we get to see, listen, and dance to them. What a special music town Sarasota continues to be. And all you have to do is walk around with your ears and your soul tuned to the magical sounds all around us.

Frankie Lombardi at The King George Pub in Sarasota

Partial as I am to both British culture and Frankie Lombardi's music, I stopped in tonight at The King George Pub, on Superior Avenue, in Gulf Gate, Sarasota, to hear Frankie's Acoustic Revolution.

The bright, cheerful, high-ceilinged interior of The King George Pub was inviting, with friendly patrons enjoying a "swift half" or pint. Owners Nick & Christie Barthram have created an inviting "home away from home" for locals to socialize and listen to live music (Frankie Lombardi on Friday nights; Irish music on Monday nights).

An unexpected gift tonight was a flurry of expert lead guitar riffs emanating from the direction of an 11-year old boy accompanying Frankie, who provided vocals and alternated between rhythm and lead on acoustic guitar. Sarasota continues to impress with an inordinate number of accomplished young players who sit in on stage with world class adult musicians, who are gracious enough to share the spotlight with them.

As usual, Frankie's vocals were intense and passionate, his guitar playing first class, and the set list familiar enough to hum along with on several tunes.

The demise of The Irish Rover left a large void in the Sarasota live music scene, so it's cheering to discover a new spot where one can be included once again in the easy sociability of Brits who've chosen to make Sarasota their home. Brilliant!