Bradenton based Billy Rice Band has some very exciting news. Coming this fall they have plans to play at some larger festivals in the state of Florida. With that in mind, they are proud to announce that they have a brand new promotional video!
This photo tells it all. Last night was epic! Thunder by the Bay was back on Main Street in Sarasota for one night. And, it was quite a night. The streets were packed.
Can you hear it? The thunder of thousands of people descending upon Sarasota, some coming by car, most coming by bike, but all returning to the place where it all began. Thunder By The Bay is returning home with a new date, new venue, and renewed efforts to retain its status as a premiere motorcycle festival in the nation. They are celebrating a huge milestone this year, their 20th anniversary! The masses are coming and they are bringing their tourist dollars to infuse Sarasota and the surrounding area with an economic boost and will be providing crucial funding for Suncoast Charities for Children, for whom the event directly benefits. Thunder By The Bay is one of the largest festivals Sarasota has hosted in the past, and by all accounts, this year is going to be a record-breaker.
What a year of music in 2017 around the Suncoast and Tampa Bay and it covers a lot of ground, from Spring Hill to Clearwater, St. Pete to Sarasota and every town in between. Music is everywhere from the clubs to the arenas and we are lucky to have some of the best musicians who live on the west coast of Florida. It’s tough to pick a few to acknowledge but I will do my best to list the notables of the year that came our way. Starting with some of the biggest arena and stadium tours:
The Sarasota County Fairgrounds is the new home for Thunder By The Bay! The fairgrounds are located close to hotels, downtown Sarasota, and offers excellent parking for RV’s and other types of camping.
Save the date….January 4-7, 2018. Thunder By The Bay will be back at the Lakewood Ranch Premier Sports Campus.
It was a bit on the chilly side, but that did not stop thousands of folks to come out to the huge Thunder By The Bay event at their new home in Lakewood Ranch at the Sports Complex on Sunday. Rain and cold held back the crowd on Saturday, but Sunday was huge! The event helps to support Suncoast Charities For Children. Festival Director, Lucy Nicandri had a huge smile throughout the event yesterday as she saw everyone having a great time and enjoying the music. Hundreds of volunteers helped to make the event very special.
New Yorker Kasim Sulton is a bass player’s bass player. Starting out in the 70’s as part of the band Utopia and playing with a who’s who of rock musicians, he has been in the music business for over 40 years. Touring with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers like Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Hall & Oates and Cheap Trick, he has also played on many studio albums over the years including the classic Meatloaf bazillion selling smash “Bat Out of Hell”.
I recently made a visit to Loveland Center at the bequest of Tim Britt, a fantastic photog and community partner. Located in Venice, Florida, this facility is an innovative home for Special Needs people. Tim wanted me to see Loveland because we, Rock Soul Radio, are playing “Thunder by The Bay” again, and this place, along with others, is what that day is all about.
Big News! Tickets for the opening night Kickoff Party for Thunder By The Bay to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children are now on sale. (Limited Tickets Available)
Tim Techandphoto posted this on Facebook and has given us permission to share on The Sarasota Post.
City leaders need to consider the “big” picture and not look at Thunder By The Bay as a burden on City resources. This is the same charity that pulls the permits and finds funding to pay for July 4th Bayfront Fireworks, the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, and New Year’s Eve Fireworks.