What is cooler than mixing camping and music? Nothing! And you will find no better combination of the two than Camping with the Blues, which takes place the weekend of October 21-23, 2016 in the rolling hills of Florida…and yes, I said hills! Located in Brooksville, on the Hernando/Paso county lines, this laid back, high caliber blues camping experience is one you don’t want to miss out on.
With over 80 acres of oak trees, creek and lake, Sertoma Youth Ranch, which hosts the festival, has over 200 water/electric sites with 30 amp service, a bathhouse with restrooms and showers, propane refilling tank and dump station. Plenty of space to spread out under the stars while you are tent camping in our primitive areas, but easily accessible to the bathhouse. Campfires are allowed and the park is pet friendly, so you don’t have to leave your beloved dogs at home!
This will be the third year of the festival, and each year GPS Festival Productions, partners Paul Benjamin and Greg Herndon, have created a stellar festival experience with an unbelievable lineup of blues artists. The inaugural festival, 2014, brought Johnny Rawls, Victor Wainwright, Albert Castiglia, Biscuit Miller, Anthony Gomes, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, Bryan Lee, Sean Chambers Band, Harper, Betty Fox Band, Joey Gilmore, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson and The Delta Swamp Rats to perform.
The following year, 2015, included the Damon Fowler Band, Teeny Tucker, Joe Moss, Brent Johnson, Lauren Mitchell Band, Tas Cru, Bobby Messano, The Peterson Brothers, Rockin’ Jake, Daddy Mack Blues Band, Anni Piper, Skylas Burrell and the Bridget Kelly Band.
This year, 2016, you will see Sari Schorr, Lisa Mann, Little Mike & The Tornadoes, Diedra & The Ruff Pro Band, Jeff Jensen Band, Gina Sicilia, Tullie Brae, Lionel Young Band, Eliza Neals & The Narcotics, Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames, John Long, RB Stone, Ghost Town Blues Band and RJ Howson. Imagine, seeing and hearing this eclectic lineup of fourteen multiple award-winning blue artists performing live over three days and they are ready to roll, so you better have your blues on!
New this year, the Campers Acoustic Jam! Each day before the first artist performs, campers and attendees will meet at the main stage pavilion to jam, so please remember to bring your instruments and join in.
But wait, not a camper? That’s okay, you don’t have to camp to attend! Advance day tickets are available thru October 20, 2016 for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and weekend passes and there are hotels just up at the next exit to accommodate your stay. If you plan to camp, reservations are suggested.
Paul Benjamin, founder of the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Maine and Chairman of the Board of the Blues Foundation and booking agent, books the artists; Greg Herndon, president and owner of Mojoe Productions, brings in the production (stage, sound and lighting) for their events. There is a myriad of details that goes into the making of a festival, and these two highly sought after professionals know how to create festivals that you won’t soon forget!
Sertoma Youth Ranch is located at 85 Myers Road, Brooksville, at exit 293 off I-75, about thirty minutes north of Tampa. Food and merchandise vendors will be on-site all weekend.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please call Mojoe Productions at 941-758-7585 or go online: www.campingwiththeblues.com
Camping with the Blues is less than two weeks away, so purchase your tickets today and invite your friends and family to come with you.
Paul and Greg also produce the Suncoast Blues Festival in Sarasota on January 27 & 28, 2017. Early bird tickets are available for purchase now, online only, thru 10/31/16 at the unbelievable low price of $30 for two days! Check out their lineup: Balkun Brothers, Jordan Patterson Band, Chris Duarte, Tommy Z, Charles Wilson, Annika Chambers, Studebaker John, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers and Selwyn Birchwood! Mark it on your calendar to attend. www.suncoastbluesfestival.com
photos provided by MoJoe Productons
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