Weekend Sounds June 17-19

BRADENTON – The weekend has arrived bringing another great lineup of live music options at local venues. Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

"Country rock, island style." Singer-songwriter Eric Von is a Nashville recording artist, born and raised in Cortez, Florida. Von started playing guitar and writing music at just twelve years of age and was performing live by fourteen. Eric spent three years in Nashville, playing on Broadway, and writing and recording his second CD. His song, I Can't Help but Smile made it to number 64 on the Country Breakout Charts. In 2007, Von was named the Colgate Country Showdown winner for Central Florida, and advanced to secure the title of Colgate Country Showdown winner for the State of Florida that same year. In 2008 he was named the winner of Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star of the Tampa Bay Area. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in one of the oldest fishing villages in the United States, the Cortez Kitchen is a top destination for locals and tourists alike. Named for the body of water it sits on and known by locals as "the kitchen" due to its bountiful supply of fish and seafood, visitors love the laid-back Florida feel of Cortez Kitchen as well as the live music every weekend. Offering a full bar, old-fashioned seafood, and seaside views. 4528 119th Street West, Cortez, 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.

Sarasota-native Brian Byrd has been performing nearly all of his life. He began his music career on the drums at age two. Byrd has performed with numerous bands in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and has built a large following across Florida’s Gulf Coast. His true passion–and perhaps what the musician is most known for–is the pedal steel guitar; however, his strong vocals do not go unnoticed against his many years’ experience with his favored instrument.

Thorson Moore is best known for his distinctive tone and invaluable guitar skill. Born in Hawaii, Thorson moved with his family at the age of 10 to Sarasota, beginning his musical journey in his early teens. The guitarist began as a drummer but later evolved into a highly experienced professional guitar player. Having performed and recorded with various bands and artists, played to festival crowds, and released an album of his own in 2014 entitled, Mr. NoBody, Thorson is a guitarist who carries a reputation not built upon raw talent and a genius intuition of music alone, but years of impassioned dedication to the instrument.

About the Venue:

Located on Main Street in downtown Sarasota, Cask Ale and Kitchen is a restaurant and bar known for its hand-crafted cocktails and contemporary atmosphere. The venue has seating both indoors and outdoors. Cask Ale and Kitchen serve a limited menu of up-scale pub-fare cuisine, including appetizers, burgers, and tacos. The beverage menu includes beer and wine selections. 1548 Main Street Sarasota.

The Divebombers are, "Toe tappin' knee slappin' foot-stompin' good ol' American music." Members George Worthmore (Blues Hall of Fame inductee), Nat Langston (Sarasota's fingerpickin' Whiz-Kid), and Chad Clifford (Veteran Rock and Roll Bassist) perform music from the likes of George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Non-Fat Elvis. $5 cover.

About the Venue:

Jiggs Landing Outpost is located inside the Manatee County Park, Jiggs Landing. The outpost features a public boat ramp, fishing, cabin rentals, kayak and canoe rentals, bait shop, and a small cafŽ – but they are also a live music venue! The outdoor venue is on the Evers Reservoir and Braden River with prime views of the sunset. Enjoy a beautiful natural venue in a historic area in the heart of East Manatee. CafŽ offers a light menu, adult and soft beverages, snacks, and Big Olaf ice cream. 6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton.

Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, roots-rocker and bluesman RJ Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with blues icons and fellow musicians at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead, and many other clubs in the Windy City as well as countless other venues across the Midwest. RJ continues to be steeped in the southern stews since moving to Florida, 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 legendary 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. 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 their front deck, 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.

Rye Road Band 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, a sound sure to rock and move you! No cover.

About the Venue:

Since 2014, Motorworks Brewing has quickly 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, an expansive wine collection, 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. Their 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.

Locally-based singer and performer Twinkle has worked with Aerosmith, Dickie Betts, Rod Stewart, Gregg Allman, and countless others. In the 90s, she was signed to Warner Brothers for her debut album Haunted by Real Life produced by Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters, Pink Floyd) where it gained ready attention on the jazz/pop charts for its title song. Rock Soul Radio members are lead vocalist Twinkle, guitarist Lenny Brooks, bassist Tony LeClerc, and Benny Puckett on drums. Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio was recently named the area's best band in TBT's Best of Manatee Bradenton Awards. No cover.

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 a 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.

Born in New Orleans, drummer James Varnado relocated to Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2006. Varnado has performed and toured with the likes of George Porter Jr (The Meters), Charmaine Neville (Neville Bros Family), Tab Benoit, Mem Shannon Blues Band, Jon Cleary, Dickey Betts (of the Allman Brothers), The Dixie Cups (Doo-Wop), and has shared the stage with various local bands.

Johnny Barker and Sergae Glushenkov join Varnado for this eclectic rotating jazzy blues jam. Barker is a bassist and the founding member of "The JBP," also known as The Johnny Barker Project. Sergae Glushenkov is a Ukrainian-born pianist who currently serves as band director at Southside Elementary school.

The trio offers audiences something a bit more like a variety show, leading the jam with opening songs, and welcoming a rotation of other talented local guest musicians to join the stage. A jam session guaranteed to bring sound surprises you won’t hear anywhere else. No cover.

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. 1114 12th Street West, Bradenton.

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. 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 slow-cooked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sandwiches and salads, and a unique atmosphere. Reservations are accepted. 19 East Road, Sarasota.