Trop Rock Junkies at Runaway Island Bar and Grill
The place ended up being packed out with partiers. We saw way too many friends to try and name them all. Suffice to say we had a lot of fun. The Junkies did a great show. The food and drinks were good. It was a good start to the weekend. Sunshine Cindy and I ended up at Tootsies for a while. We have been going there since they opened about 5 years ago. The place is always packed now.
Friday was the day everyone was getting into town. We met a bunch of our Destin friends for lunch as they were getting in early. The music was starting at 4 pm. About 3:30 we all decided to head over to the venue at Pier Park. Kenny said he would take us all over in his mini-van. We put 11 people in the van. We were crammed in like sardines. It had to look like a clown car when we all piled out.
Jerry Diaz and Hanna's Reef
The venue was fantastic. It’s a big amphitheater and the sound was perfect. We had VIP tickets so we were right up front. The three musical acts included our friends Jerry Diaz and Hanna’s Reef. It was hot but the sun was going down so that helped. Part of the VIP package included food, a couple free drinks and a cash bar that served strong drinks for a reasonable price. Needless to say a great time was had by all. After the show we went back to the hotel and had a party by the pool until security broke us up.
Saturday started out at Margaritaville with a show by Jerry Diaz. Bud was with him playing the conga’s. It was a good time that included a conch blowing contest lead by the Queen of Conch, Mary Lou. For once Margaritaville actually had some specials for the Parrot Heads. That was nice. I had drove BadAss over with the top down. As the show was ending Joe mentioned how dark it was getting. This was to the east where I could not see it from my seat. I walked out and sure enough it looked like we were going to get a bad storm soon so I put the top up. About 20 minutes later we drove back to the hotel right as a monsoon hit. It did cool things off for a while.
Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band
About 3:30 we headed back to the venue. It was now drizzling a little but it felt good. As Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band were playing it got dark again and we saw lightning off in the distance. We knew that was not good. Sure enough, about an hour into his show they stopped it because of the lightning. We saw the radar and it did not look good for the night. About 10 of us decided to walk to Tootsies to wait it out. Well the storms were all around and they ended up calling off the rest of the nights music. That was a bummer as it was going to be fun with a Jan and Dean and Beach Boys show.
We stayed at Tootsies and had a great time there. I thought I recognized the drummer. During a break I talked to him and it was Thumper who we had meet in New Orleans previously at Tropical Isle. He was playing with a guy that was on the road but he is now the house drummer at Tootsies. His wife was there too they both remembered Sunshine Cindy and I. That was a lot of fun. Thumper is a cool guy. We got back to the hotel about 11 and hung out with our friends till almost 1 am.
Fun at Tootsies
Sunday everyone was moving slow. We had to check out and the music was not starting till noon. We got a late checkout then went to Pompano Joe’s for lunch. It was a HOT day. The sun was beating down. Everyone was looking for some shade to stay cool. I was able to meet Mike Miller. Mike will be playing for us at Phlocking of the Phaithful next year in Put in Bay. We look forward to having Mike and his band on the island. If you want to register for this fun four day Trop Rock event you can do so here: http://www.crabislandmambo.com/Crab-Island-Mambo-presents-Phlocking-of-the-Phaithful.html
Sunshine Cindy and I stayed till about 2:30 and decided to head home. We missed hearing Mac McAnally. He closed the festival. Our friend Loujean told us she was able to get Mac to autograph her Crab Island Mambo tee shirt. I told her I need a picture of that.
The music festival was a lot of fun. They announced they will do it again next year. They also announced the headliner will be Alan Jackson. How cool will that be. Kudos to the organizers and to the Panama City PHC for making this happen.
Have a great week. See ya Thursday!
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