Brevard Live March 2015
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Brevard Live March 2015 - 1 2 - Brevard Live March 2015 Brevard Live March 2015 - 3 4 - Brevard Live March 2015 Brevard Live March 2015 - 5 6 - Brevard Live March 2015 Contents March 2015 FEATURES LET’S GO TO THE FAIR Columns AUSTIN PETTIT’S CELEBRATION For many years Brevard Productions Charles Van Riper He will always be a guitar legend on the has brought us the big fairs. At first, it 22 Political Satire Space Coast and one of the most loved was yearly. With the growth of the area musicians in our community. Many came the fairs became bigger, they are now to his Celebration of Life last month. Calendars held twice a year, and are a popular fam- Live Entertainment, Page 11 ily attractions with over 100 thrill rides. 25 Concerts, Festivals Page 15 GOOD COMPANY Outta Space For the months of March and April Good by Jared Campbell Company will be in Cocoa Beach play- LAGOON-FEST 30 This is a big music festival with an even ing several clubs in different formations. bigger meaning. It is all about involv- Local Download This is a band of musicians traveling all ing the public, young people included, Chatter About The over the US and abroad. 33 to unite over the cause to help save our Local Music Scene Page 13 Indian River Lagoon. Page 18 Flori-duh! JAMAIKIN ME CRAZY 36 by Charles Knight For the past 26 years Brevard’s finest reg- ANDY HARRINGTON gae venue is drawing the crowds. After Matt Bretz was sent on a mission to con- The Dope Doctor a short break during the winter months tribute a local musician profile to this 38 Luis Delgado, CAP JMC is ready to start up again in March month’s issue. He chose this to be Andy featuring the best area reggae bands live Harrington. What he came back with Knights After Nights on stage at Mambo’s at the International was rather “silly.” But we were told that Hot spots, events, Palms in Cocoa Beach. they both had a merry time with it! 44 by Charles & Lissa Page 15 Page 34 Brevard Live March 2015 - 7 8 - Brevard Live March 2015 Brevard Lately BREVARD LIVE The largest and most popular free entertainment magazine on the Space Coast and beyond for 23 years. PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Heike Clarke SALES MANAGER ASSISTANT EDITOR John Leach ACCOUNT MANAGER Charlene Hemmle MUSIC WRITERS John Leach Charles Knight Matt Bretz PHOTOGRAPHY Chuck Van Riper Lissa Knight COVER PHOTO Chuck Van Riper Jack Simpson Recorded His Last Radio Show COLUMNISTS After Over 40 Years Of ‘Jazz On The Beach’ Chuck Van Riper Charles & Lissa Knight fficially, Jack Simpson, host and share, we ask? “No way,” said Simpson. Jared Campbell Ofounder of ‘Jazz On The Beach’ radio “I have so many more recordings. I just Reproduction of any portion of show, recorded his last show at the studios ordered some new albums that I discov- Brevard Live Magazine is strictly of WFIT 89.5 FM last month. At 90 years ered on the internet and didn’t even know prohibited without the written old he decided it was time to retire his they existed.” He has more than 15,000 permission of the publisher. radio career that he began in 1967 when albums and 2,500 compact discs and he is Jack debuted his very first radio show still looking to discover more. It is quite ADVERTISEMENT/ SALES with the theme song Enchanted Lady on clear that his passion is as strong as ever. Phone: (321) 956-9207 WKRT-FM in Cocoa. ‘Jazz on the Beach’ And what does he think about downloads [email protected] holds the honor of the longest running jazz on digital handheld devices? “Not much,” COMMENTS & LETTERS radio show in Central Florida which aired he waived it off. “I’m on the internet, even Brevard Live Magazine until now on WFIT and WUCF. on Facebook, but when I listen to music, P.O. Box 1452, Over the past 40 plus years, Jack I prefer good stereo equipment if it isn’t Melbourne, Fl 32902 and his wife Lorraine have been active in live on stage.” One more question before Copyright © 2015 community fundraisers, raising money for board engineer Fred Migliore needs Jack’s Brevard Live many worthy causes: disadvantaged chil- attention back on the program: Will this All rights reserved We are not responsible for photos dren, the food bank, jazz scholarships and really be his last show? He laughs. “Who or scripts sent to Brevard Live much more. Jack has been instrumental in knows. I might sit in for someone every Magazine. Published photos and putting together and hosting a plethora of once in a while.” articles become property of this jazz concerts and festivals. He has had the The local airwaves might have to say publication. We are not fortune to meet and interview many of the good-bye to a legendary personality but responsible for wrongful jazz legends: Wynton Marsalis, George Jazz music still has its number one fan. advertised or canceled venues. Benson, Dave Brubeck and Gerry Mulli- Just on a more private level. Download a pdf file gan to name a few. Thank you, Jack Simpson, for the BREVARD His last day in the studio was busi- wonderful music you shared over the past FLORIDA ness as usual - he laughed, told anecdotes decades. You certainly brought Jazz to our and educated listeners about jazz music. beaches. LIVE So did he play all the music he wanted to Heike Clarke/ Photo by Chuck Van Riper at www.brevardlive.com Brevard Live March 2015 - 9 10 - Brevard Live March 2015 Brevard Lately Celebrating Austin Pettit’s Life ome people are larger than life - and Austin Pettit is Sone of them. For music fans in Brevard County he is an icon, a guitar legend, and our best friend. This did not change when he passed away on January 24th after a long and painful struggle with health. Austin Pettit’s Celebration Of Life was held February 7th from 1 to 5 pm at the Cocoa Beach Country Club Pavilion. Many musicians performed on stage, all of them had played with Austin Pettit at one time or another, among them the legendary Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie, Rosanne, and former band-mate of Austin’s in Grinder- switch), who drove all the way from Nashville. Many other members of our music community came to show their re- spect and love for Austin’s talent and personality. His fam- ily took the stage as well sharing some precious memories and moments of his life that was filled with music, the love for his family, and a heart and soul bigger than life. His brother Dean, his wife Tina and his sons Austin Jr. and Da- rin remembered his humor with stories that made us laugh and cry. This is the family Austin was so very proud of, he said it all the time. They had a lot of fun - in good times and even when it got tough. The music continued all afternoon and the celebration ended with a gathering on the beach where Beverly Mc- Clellan, a top four finalist from the first season of TV’s “The Voice,” performed a solo acoustic version of Amazing Grace. Without any rain clouds in the sky a rainbow ap- peared over the ocean and left the crowd in awe. Throughout the couple of weeks leading up to this cel- ebration the Pettit family has stayed in touch with Austin’s friends via his Facebook page keeping us informed as well as announcing their appreciation for all the help they re- ceived. Darin Pettit posted: “The entire event was a wonder- ful and beautiful tribute to my Dad. I think it is exactly what he would have wanted.” Photos by Chuck Van Riper, Judy Tatum Lane, Heike Clarke Brevard Live March 2015 - 11 12 - Brevard Live March 2015 Brevard Live March/ April In Cocoa Beach GOOD COMPANY Is Coming To Town After a month in The Florida Keys in January, and a tour through the Midwest in February, they are now taking over Cocoa Beach. ood Company is a collective of Then they move on. Micah Reed who preparations and accommodations. “I Gperforming songwriters. Criss- is part of the musical trek partnered need to find a house where the band crossing through networks across the with founder Mike Willis for the Space can stay.” he said. He also has to take United States, these career singer/writ- Coast area and was happy to announce care of the sound and the promotion. er/instrumentalists have forged this that he “just booked 229 gigs and still “Right now we have about 25 ac- project from mutual admiration and a counting for Good Company Music in tive musicians in Good Company. The shared passion for the history and fu- March and April right here in Brevard network itself includes about 60 play- ture of American music. County. If you want to see some awe- ers from all over the country.” It takes More than a band name, Good some musicians from all over the coun- a lot of commitment to keep the tour Company encapsulates the belief that try mixed with some of the best of the going. The active musicians are work- music can be the common bond that best local players just come on out and ing non-stop in different areas and their brings individuals together through catch a show!” At press time follow- families stay behind. “We earn decent grace, understanding and appreciation.