Kettle of Fish Wednesday Evening Shows Coming to a Close

SARASOTA – After just over 18 years, local band Kettle of Fish is ending its longtime run of Wednesday evening live shows from the deck of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB).

Over nearly two decades, Kettle of Fish has grown its fanbase, both locally and across Florida’s southwest coast. The band’s beginnings trace right back to their regular Wednesday night gigs at SKOB beginning in 2004.

"This isn't the end of Kettle of Fish," Lawrence told TBT in an email. "There have been changes over the two decades the band has been performing, and this is just another evolution in the journey."

"SKOB had a lot to do with the band getting started and myself cutting my teeth in the business," Lawrence added. "I am very grateful to SKOB and the SKOB family."

Lawrence said that part of the decision to make the shift to the band's schedule was to provide himself with a little more time to enjoy life and focus on his family. The decision to remove the Wednesday night performances at SKOB from the band's lineup will not be the end of Kettle of Fish. Rather, the schedule change will be the end of an era in the band's history, an era that holds many fond memories for Lawrence and the band.

Over its years of performing, Kettle of Fish has shared the stage with numerous bands and guest musicians including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Roger Waters’ Band, Devon Allman, Pat Travers, Mark Knight from Bango Tango, Duane Betts, Chuck Negron, Matraca Berg, members of bad Company, Damon Fowler, and Dickey Betts, and have played opening performances for artists such as Eddie Money, Molly Hatchet, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Trombone Shorty, the Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett (at the famous Blue Heaven in Key West), and many more.

The original trio that formed the band has since lost two founding members in passing–Sanderson Poe and Mason Dunn–and also bid a mournful farewell to guitarist Greg Poulos who performed with the band, and who most recently passed away.

On Wednesday, June 1, from 7-11 pm, Kettle of Fish founder, lead singer, and guitarist, Dana Lawrence will perform a closeout show for the band’s longtime Wednesday performances. Lawrence will be joined by local musician and former Kettle of Fish bassist Chris Guertin, local musician and former guitarist Thorson Moore, and Andy Wallace from Roger Waters’ band for the band's "last dance" performance of the Key’s Wednesday evening staple show at SKOB.

After June 1, The Bobby Schneck Trio will be taking over Wednesday night shows at SKOB, while Dana Lawrence will continue to play a solo show on Thursdays from 2-6 pm at the Oyster Bar.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar is located at 5238 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key, Sarasota.