Weekend Sounds December 16-18

BRADENTON – This weekend Biscuit Miller will return with the blues to Cottonmouth Kitchen, Hot Club of SRQ will be jazzing up the park, and The Lee Boys will perform with Melody Trucks from the Big Top stage, and that’s just some of the great shows scheduled at area venues this weekend. Check out the Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

On Friday, Biscuit Miller will be joined by fellow Chicago blues musicians Frank Bang(former Buddy Guy guitarist) and Wayne Baker Brooks (of the Wayne Baker Brooks Band). The trio will bring a night of Chicago Blues to the Cottonmouth patio stage.

Biscuit Miller is an American electric blues bassist, singer, and songwriter. Biscuit has been touring extensively ever since his band, The Mix, won its first Blues Music Award in 2012. The Mix recorded and released "Wishbone" in 2016 and won a second BMA in 2017. Biscuit is consistently known for his high-energy shows and blazing million-dollar smile. The cover is $15

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton Village of the Arts, Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen has quickly become one of Bradenton, Florida’s more popular outdoor music venues. Music is hosted on their intimate 80-seat capacity patio garden, a perfect setting under the branches of towering live oaks in the heart of VOTA. Known for his eclectic southern dining, Chef Dave Shiplett puts his creative spin on southern classics serving up his brand of southern soul food in this 100-year-old cottage that doubles as an art gallery. The venue offers craft beer, wine, a list of creative hard ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are recommended due to limited capacity. 1114 12th Street West, Bradenton.

Hot Club of SRQ plays gypsy jazz deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This trio's music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance. The Hot Club of SRQ’s sound can best be described as a 21st-century hybrid of the famous Quintette du Hot Club de France. The likeness of these two ensembles is the violin and guitar that makes their music so captivating. Another likeness is the infectious groove known as La Pompe, which literally means the pump, and is an unmistakable hard-swinging rhythmical characteristic of this music. This style of swing jazz is more accessible to a broader audience. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Payne Park, downtown Sarasota, Cafe in the Park captures the spirit of a quintessential urban cafe terrace. It's the perfect place for a great coffee, a fresh sandwich, and live music. The family-friendly spot has menu selections of healthy cafŽ-style food, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine, all served in a community park setting. Truly a great place to catch a live show. Please no outside food or drink. 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

The Lee Boys and Melody Trucks are joining forces for a series of live performances scheduled throughout December. There is no cover charge for Friday's performance at Big Top Brewing in Sarasota.

The Lee Boys are one of America’s most celebrated sacred steel ensembles. "Sacred steel“ is a type of music rooted in Gospel music, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and ideas from other nations. Sacred steel music features lap and pedal steel guitars.

This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee, and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass), and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. The Lee Boys have played notable shows and festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, Langerado, Chicago Blues Festival and Bonnaroo.

Melody Trucks is the daughter of legendary Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks and carries on a family tradition of music and performance. After touring with Butch Trucks and the Freight Train, Melody Trucks immersed herself in the music scene of Jacksonville, Florida. In 2017, the Melody Trucks Band was formed.

About the Venue:

Big Top Brewing Company is a Sarasota-based production brewery. Valuing their great town and its great history, they set out to add in great local beer. A compliment to Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, famous architecture, the best art and design schools, and world-renowned tourism, Big Top Brewing artistically crafts world-class beers, inspired by their hometown. Featuring brewing, tasting, BBQ, and live music from some of the area’s best performers. A great outdoor venue with an expansive beer garden and porch bar. 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Dead Set Florida is a Tampa Bay-based band performing music of the Grateful Dead and The Jerry Garcia Band, as well as solo material from Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. The group was founded in 2017 by bassist and vocalist Christian Walker. Walker is joined by Paul Wolff (lead guitarist), Tucker Waud (keyboardist), Michael Garrie (rhythm guitar and vocals), Mike Garrie (drums and vocals), and Michael Pandiscio (rhythm guitar and vocals). Pandiscio is the band’s newest member, joining during the 2020 pandemic. A year later, the five-piece is complete and continuing its mission to keep the legacy of "the greatest musical presence of the 20th century" jamming, spinning, and dancing. Cover $15.

About the Venue:

Birdrock Taco Shack has a new, larger location, just a couple of blocks from its original location in Bradenton Florida's Village of the Arts. Birdrock is a unique funky-fun taco spot. Owner and chef David Shiplett–also the owner of popular Cottonmouth South Soul Kitchen–doesn't serve up just any tacos, these are Dave Shiplett tacos! Dave has worked as a Chef in San Francisco, San Diego, Sarasota, and now Bradenton. Dine inside the eclectic cozy shack or outdoors in the garden or on the covered porch. 1213 13th Avenue West, Bradenton.

Selwyn Birchwood is an intentional and domestically touring blues guitarist and lap steel player. He classifies his original music as "electric swamp funkin' blues." Birchwood has been called a remarkable contemporary bluesman and a gritty and unvarnished vocalist. His seemingly meteoric rise from playing small Florida clubs to headlining international festival stages has seen his music and performances receive a Blues Music Award, a Living Blues Critics’ Award, the 2015 Blues Blast Rising Star Award, and raving reviews in publications from Rolling Stone to The Wall Street Journal. Birchwood and his band have toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe. Cover $20.

Rye Road returns to the beer garden stage of Motorworks Brewing this Saturday! Rye Road has been rocking audiences up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida for over a decade. Their sound is a unique blend of new country and rock. The band features Pete Tamburin’s emotional vocals and country-influenced guitar, drummer Dan Garrido’s solid rhythms and amazing high harmonies, the energetic and booming bass lines of Bryant Crawford, and the soaring keyboards of Tim Meyer. Catchy, accessible melodies under lyrics that everyone can relate to. No cover.

About the Venue:

Since its opening in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has become one of the most awarded breweries in Florida, with over 22 national and international medals. With 20+ beers on draught, a full liquor bar, wine, and a rotating batch of seasonal and specialty brews available in the taproom, Motorworks is a great place to join friends for a fresh pint of beer or a cocktail. The tree-canopied Beer Garden hosts a raised deck, games, an outdoor stage, ample patio seating, and room to dance. Food offerings from local food trucks. 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts.

On Saturday, The Boomers Band will play their unique blend of 60s rock in the beer garden of 3 Keys Brewing. Performing at venues around the Suncoast, this Bradenton-based rock band plays a wide range of songs from 1964 to 1969. Lead singer/rhythm guitarist Bob Cary, lead guitarist Ted Mork, keyboard player and saxophonist Bob Hepler, bass player Todd Bohlmann, and drummer Mike Kennedy play an energetic mix from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Steppenwolf, The Grass Roots, The Monkees and many more of the decade's iconic bands. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton off of east Manatee Avenue, 3 Keys Brewing is a family-friendly brewery with a full kitchen serving up gourmet-style pub fare. Offering an inviting social atmosphere and weekly list of entertainment, music, and food and drink specials. Enjoy their expansive front porch or take in the sounds of the beer garden with a beverage in hand... and bring your 4-legged friends! 2505 Manatee Ave East, Bradenton.

Dirty Byrd is one of the area’s favorite party bands. The Sarasota-based jam band performs blues, country, R&B, funk, jazz, rock, southern rock, and more. Led by two seasoned local musicians, Brian Byrd (pedal steel guitar and lead vocals) and Thorson Moore (electric guitar and vocals) and joined by talented musicians Damon Owens (percussion/drums) and Andrew Glasgow (electric bass). The band's shows frequently include some of the area’s most talented musicians as guest performers, creating shows that are unique each time the band takes the stage. No cover.

About the Venue:

Founded in 2001, Gilligan’s Island Bar prides itself on serving quality food, cocktails, and great service. The venue hosts live music on its front deck, and offers back patio seating, a tiki bar, and a fire pit for cooler nights. The flickering tiki torches, palm trees, and cool Gulf breezes are exactly what you have been looking for. Located on Siesta Key, 5253 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota.

Join RJ Howson and Mike Kach with Burt Engelsman and Garrett Dawson this Sunday for Blues and Brews!

Roots-rocker and bluesman RJ Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with blues icons and fellow musicians, with openers for Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, Buddy Guy, and a host of other musicians. Having played music beginning in his youth, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to funk, soul, rock, gospel, country, salsa, and World Music.

Mike Kach, keyboardist to Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Kach's soulful vocals can be heard on Betts originals like No One Left to Run with It, Nobody Knows, and Southbound. Kach's own ballad, Get Away, appeared on the Dickey Betts & Great Southern's live CD/DVD set Rockpalast: 30 Years of Southern Rock. No cover.

The popular local band Kettle of Fish has been performing in clubs, pubs, and venues across Manatee and Sarasota, as well as across Florida and the U.S., for years. Lead singer, guitarist, and band founder Dana Lawrence is one of the area’s favorite singer-songwriters. Kettle of Fish is a band with an ever-fluid rotation of talented local and guest musicians.

Over their years of performing, Kettle of Fish has shared the stage with numerous bands and musicians including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Roger Waters’ Band, Devon Allman, Pat Travers, Damon Fowler, and Dickey Betts. They have also 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. Kettle of Fish delivers a sound that is a rootsy "blues rock with soul" that works to bring together soulful blues with the energy of rock n’ roll. If you like the sound of the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, Robert Cray, the Neville Brothers, Buddy Guy, Stevie Wonder, the Allman Brothers, or The Grateful Dead, you will love Kettle of Fish. No cover.

About the Venue:

East of I-75 on Fruitville Road, Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse is an open-air barbecue restaurant set under an expansive outdoor tiki hut, including an old-Florida style Tiki-bar. Established by the Stottlemyer family, the family-friendly restaurant and live music venue serves brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sandwiches, and salads in a unique atmosphere. Reservations are accepted. 19 East Road, Sarasota.