Musicians helping Musicians the Suncoast Way!
A charity event to help to local SRQ musicians whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Irma was rockin’ at Kelly’s Live at Sarasota Skybar on Sunday! Four great hometown bands played and raised over $2,000.00!
Starting things off was Seven Years Past! A four-piece band, churning out their original rock tunes. Lead singer Lisa Larkin is a rock force fronting this band. Lisa was also one of the musicians they were playing to help as her Bradenton home was damaged in the storm. She said “It felt weird to be a receiver of a benefit, but am grateful for everyone who showed up”. If you are a hard rocker, be sure and check out Seven Years Past, who two years ago won Hard Rock Rising in Tampa.
Kettle of Fish was second in the lineup. Each band played 45 minutes. Dana Lawrence, Kettle’s lead singer came up with the idea to help his fellow musicians and got everyone to jump in for the benefit. Kettle of Fish plays the local Sarasota scene with a variety of gifted musicians that can change on a dime depending who is available and keeps it interesting for the audience. From the Dead to Tom Petty, they can play it.
Sarasota’s own star, Twinkle Yochim and her band Rock Soul Radio came on third and rocked the house with a mix of covers by Led Zeppelin to AC/DC to their own well-known original songs that the SRQ audience knows and sings along! Their storytelling is humorous and the band is lifer musicians! Lenny Brooks is one of the best guitar players anywhere along with Tony LeClerc on bass; they have been playing together since they were 17. Benny Puckett is an acrobat drummer not only keeps the beat but gives a great show with his sticks.
Closing out the show was Reverend Barry and Funktastic Soul featuring the Hellacious Horns! A mouthful of a title for a band! A great dance band that brought the local dancers out in force! Drummer Ray Williams lost his home in St. Pete due to Irma but the generosity of people donating to GoFundMe and this event, Ray will be getting a new home in Sarasota! Ray has been blind all his life and has played music since he was 3 years old! He was grateful and humble for the help from the Suncoast music fans!
Kudos to Kelly’s Live for donating the venue and Berry Duane Oakley, (yes, son of the late Allman Brother) for running sound and lights! Check out Berry’s band “Indigenous Suspects” around the SRQ scene. Sarasota has an incredible bunch of talented musicians on the music scene and helping each other! The Suncoast has the best music fans who want to help keeping the music playing! Rock on!
photos by Vicky Sullivan / Rock the Lens Photography