Songwriters Festival a Blast

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Forgotten Coast Chapter promised a blast, and that's what they delivered.

The inaugural Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival drew large and spirited crowds to three area establishments on Oct. 16-18.

Songwriters Walt Aldridge, Sonny Lemaire, Will Rambeaux, Jillia Jackson and Thom Shepherd joined local husband and wife songwriting duo Charlie and Dana Black for performances at the Thirsty Goat, Dockside Café and Indian Pass Raw Bar.

The songwriters, who have written hits for artists such as Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Crystal Gayle and Marty Robbins, performed at one venue each day, with crowds turning out in record numbers.

FRLA president Jason Bogan estimated a crowd of 200 people at the Thirsty Goat, with another 100 at Dockside and 250 at the Raw Bar.

Another 40 or so turned out for a songwriter's workshop held on the afternoon of Oct. 17.

Hosted by Rambeaux, Jackson and Shepherd, the workshop taught a gathering of all age groups the craft of songwriting and the path to publication.

Charlie Black was thrilled by the turnout, which he described as the largest ever for a local musical performance.

"It was a lot of fun for all the artists and Port St. Joe really came out for it," he said.

Black, who was inducted in the Songwriter Hall of Fame in 1991, wrote the hits "You Lie" by McEntire, "Right on the Money," by Jackson and "Come Next Monday" by K.T. Oslin.

Black invited Aldridge and Lemaire to join the festival, and said they can't wait to come back next year.

Bogan said he and the artists have already discussed ways to top this year's Blast on the Bay.

The artists, Bogan said, are returning to their labels to "figure out how to blow it up" next year.

Some suggestions include adding additional venues and inviting more songwriters to take part in the festival.

Through sponsorships and raffles of signed guitars and other memorabilia, the event, which was free to the public, raised between $2,000-3,000 for the FRLA Educational Foundation.

The Foundation sponsors school-to-career programs which allow students to interact with instructors and industry leaders.

Additional event photos can be viewed at the Blast on the Bay website, www.BlastOnTheBay.com.