The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) in conjunction with Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) is thrilled to present a free concert series beginning Thursday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, September 1 at HarborWalk Village. The fourth annual event will showcase more than a dozen BMI songwriters who will sing country’s biggest hits and tell the stories behind the songs. The Labor Day weekend concert series will also feature a local songwriters contest sponsored by Hwy. 98 Country and Apex radio stations and The Beachcomber. The FRLA is the prime sponsor of these concert performances through their Endless Summer Music Series program designed to promote the local tourism and hospitality industry throughout the year.
The concert schedule is as follows. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free event. Food and drinks will be available and fireworks will bookend the series
Thursday, Aug. 29
7 p.m. - Local Songwriters Contest
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks over the Destin Harbor
Friday, Aug. 30
6 -7 p.m. - Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter, Bill LaBounty
7:15 - 8:15 p.m. - Trent Summar, Will Rambeaux, Sherrie Austin
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Aaron Barker, Bridgette Tatum, Alissa Moreno
9:45 - 10:30 p.m. - Danny Myrick, Tim James, Kendell Marvel, Megan Linville
Saturday, Aug. 31
5 - 6 p.m. - The Villagers
6:15 - 7 p.m. - Kendell Marvel, Danny Myrick, Bridgette Tatum
7:15 - 8:15 p.m. - Aaron Barker, Bill LaBounty, Tim James
8:45 - 10 p.m. - Andy Velo Band
Sunday, September 1st
5 - 6 p.m. - The Villagers
6:15 - 7:15 p.m. - Will Rambeaux, Sherrie Austin, Alissa Moreno
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Candi Carpenter, Bobby Tomberlin, Kendell Marvel, Tim James
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks over Destin Harbor
8:45 - 10 p.m. - Nashville Songwriters Danny Myrick, Aaron Barker, Trent Summar, Megan Linville
Aaron Barker - Aaron Barker was born in San Antonio, Texas, and began his musical career in a “variety band.” Driving his bus from place to place, he began playing with original melodies and lyrics hoping to create his own songs. His first attempt, “Baby Blue,” was recorded by George Strait on the “If You Ain’t Lovin” album. Aaron began developing his own sound and refining his original material in small clubs and cafes where he would play on weekends. One night after a long father and son talk, he wrote “Love Without End, Amen.” Believing this would be a song that he would play for his family, Barker decided to see what would happen if he sent it to George Strait. Strait recorded it and it stayed at the No. 1 position in Billboard Magazine for five consecutive weeks. For more information, go towww.aaronbarker.com
Alissa Moreno - Alissa Moreno is an acclaimed singer/songwriter. Her music has been featured in television shows including “Laguna Beach” and “How I Met Your Mother.” In addition to co-writing and singing the theme of the ABC show “Hope & Faith,” her song “Far From Here” was used in radio, television, internet and movie theaters to promote the hit series “Army Wives.” She wrote songs for Rascal Flats including “Everyday” and collaborated with industry veterans such as Matt Scannel, Jamie Houston, Jeffrey Steele, David Baerwald, Kevin Hunter, Tony Scalzo, and Miles Zuniga. She currently lives in Los Angeles, and performs regularly at some of L.A.’s hottest clubs: House of Blues, Knitting Factory, The Viper Room, and The Hotel Cafe. For more information, go towww.alissamoreno.com
Andy Velo Band - His road to becoming a rising country music sensation has been paved by singing as if his life depended on it. Recognizing his artist’s soul at an early age led the Georgia native down the path of writing and performing songs that both energized and fueled him. Now, his love of music and his dreams of performing have intersected, moving him rapidly along a road of success traveled by many country stars before him. His exciting fusion of a classic country and newer country rock creates a sound all his own, a sound that is steam-rolling into the consciousness of a wide range of country music lovers. For more information, go to www.andyvelo.com
Bill LaBounty - Bill LaBounty’s musical direction was clear by the age of 19, when he was signed with his rock band to RCA Records. The Pacific Northwest native then took his act solo, recording an album for Twentieth Century Fox Records, followed by three albums for Warner Bros — records, which spawned the pop hits “Never Gonna Look Back” (with James Taylor), “Livin’ It Up” and “This Night Won’t Last Forever.” Bill’s album “The Right Direction,” co-produced with Robbie Dupree, enjoyed success in Europe and Japan with featured singles “The Right Direction” and “Mr. O.” He also established himself as a songwriter for other artists, with successes that span almost two decades; his resume includes artists such as Jimmy Buffett, The Temptations, Tim McGraw and Patti LaBelle. To date, he has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists, resulting in 25 BMI awards, including 10 Million Performance awards. For more information, go towww.billlabounty.com
Bobby Tomberlin - Bobby co-wrote the No. 1 Country and Top 5 AC single “One More Day” recorded by Diamond Rio, and co-authored the inspirational book by the same title. He has songs recorded by Josh Turner, Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, Rodney Atkins, Joe Nichols, and many others. Some of Bobby’s co-writers include Steve Wariner, Bill Anderson, Lee Brice, Phil Everly, Steve Dorff, Mac Davis, Josh Turner, Heidi Newfield and many others. Bobby can currently be seen every week as one of the singers on the new CMT hit series, “The Singing Bee.” He has also appeared on numerous other television shows. He can also be seen interviewing Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Legend Bill Medley (of The Righteous Brothers) from Capitol Studios in Hollywood on the recent DVD/CD release of “Damn Near Righteous.” As a voiceover artist, Bobby can be heard on projects by Trace Adkins, Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton, The B52’s and many others. For more information, go towww.bobbytomberlin.com
Bridgette Tatum - Rooted in her earliest memories growing up in Florence, South Carolina, this firecracker brunette was raised on soul-shaking gospel music, swirling with the Holy Spirit and saturated with raw passion. It was through the encouragement of her manager Carolyn Miller that Bridgette collaborated musically with her future producer, Danny Myrick. Their partnership proved as successful in songwriting as well. They co-wrote “She’s Country,” the No. 1 smash for Jason Aldean, as well as many of the songs on her self-titled release, including the single “Hillbilly Rockstar.” Add to these accomplishments Bridgette’s own album, “Sex, Church, and Chicken” released on Root 49 Records. For more information, go towww.bridgettetatum.com
Candi Carpenter - Candi Carpenter began her professional career in music at the early age of 15, moving to Nashville, Tenn. She worked shows with legends including Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Porter Wagoner, Michael W. Smith, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Glaser, Bill Anderson and many others. No stranger to the small screen, Candi’s new music video for “My Fault Too” is currently in heavy rotation on The Country Network. Look for her in music videos including Alan Jackson’s “Too Much of a Good Thing,” and playing guitar for Brooks & Dunn in their video for “Put a Girl In It.” She has recently co-written songs with Grammy award winning and nominated writers such as Bill Anderson, Bill Labounty, Bobby Tomberlin, Mickey Raphael and Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers. For more information, go to www.candicarpenter.com
Danny Myrick - A little bit country, a little bit Mississippi preacher’s kid, Danny recorded his first album at the age of 7 with his family band in Pascagoula, Miss. After spending a few years in the ’90s as lead singer for country band Western Flyer, Danny began lending background vocals to artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Keith Anderson, and Blake Shelton. Danny then turned his focus to songwriting and eventually signed with Jeffrey Steele’s 3 Ring Circus Music. He now writes and produces for Root 49 Music and Zone 7 Productions and works as a writer and/or producer for numerous talented artists. Myrick has had a number of hits including Craig Morgan’s “International Harvester”, and “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean. In 2010 and 2011 Danny has enjoyed radio success with Chris Cagle’s “I Got My Country On,” Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” and he wrote and produced the Farm’s debut CD including first single “Home Sweet Home.” For more information, go towww.dannymyrick.com
Kendell Marvel - Kendell Marvel, a Nashville songwriter from Southern Illinois, has been cranking out country music hits ever since his top five song for Gary Allan, “Right Where I Need To Be.” He has had cuts by Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Jamey Johnson and Josh Thompson, as well as numerous hits by Jake Owen, including “Startin With Me,” “Yee Haw,” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You.” Other chart toppers include “Tougher Than Nails” by Joe Diffie, and “Twang” by George Strait. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/kendellmarvel
Megan Linville - Her Nashville roots wind back to her grandfather, the late Jerry McBee, who penned songs for many of Nashville’s great country artists. In 2007, her Freshman album was recorded at the famed Cash Cabin Studio under the production of Grammy winning John Carter Cash. This initial CD was comprised of songs all co-written by Megan. She has performed main-stage with well-known country artists Jason Aldean, Phil Vassar, Heidi Newfield, Jamie O’Neal, many others. In between a hectic writing schedule and a jam-packed show schedule, Megan has just completed her Sophomore album. For more information, go towww.meganlinville.com
Sherrie Austin - Australian born Sherrie Austin was signed to Arista in 1997 where she released two albums and charted several singles including “Lucky In Love,” “One Solitary Tear” and “Never Been Kissed.” She went on to make two more independent records and in 2003 had her first top 15 hit with the title track from her album “Streets of Heaven.” In 2005 she stretched her theatrical wings in New York where she received critical acclaim for her role as Bonnie Parker in the Musical Theatre Festival’s “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde.” She used this as a springboard to Broadway when she joined the cast of “Ring of Fire.” Her latest song, “Hey Bully,” was recorded by Morgan Frazier, who is rising in the country music charts. For more information, go to www.sherrieaustinmusic.com
Tim James - Singer, songwriter, and musician Tim James was born in Dearborn, Mich., but grew up in the desert community of Apple Valley, Calif. When James was two, he surprised family members with his skills on a toy piano, playing tunes by ear. A year later he was singing, and by 11, writing songs. James first tasted real success, penning the excellent tune “I’ll Be Your Everything” that was used as the theme song for Disney’s Inspector Gadget. He also wrote the theme for ABC’s Wasteland and the single “Another Dumb Blonde” for the movie “Snow Day.” While touring, James has opened for major acts like Christina Aguilera. In 2000 he released his self-titled debut album. One of his latest hits was recorded by Lee Brice, “Love Like Crazy.” For more information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Tim-James-country-music-songwriter
The Villagers - Recording artists with Fame and Atlantic/Atco Records in the late ’60s, their first hit, “Laugh It Off,“ was No. 1 in Panama City and No. 2 at WBAM in Montgomery, Ala. It was recognized in Billboard Magazine as a “pick hit.” They followed with additional recordings “Where Have You Been” and “Thank You Baby,“ performing throughout the Southeast and playing with Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and the Swinging Medallions. After 40 years they have reunited to share their commitment to the music of their generation.
Trent Summar – He has an evocative and altogether hard-to-resist term for the music he makes: Farm Rock. As a songwriter, he’s had cuts recently on quite a few records, including Billy Currington’s popular sophomore album, “Doin’ Something Right,” and Gary Allan’s 2003 release “See If I Care.” “Love You,” which Summar cowrote with pal Jay Knowles, is currently on the charts as a single for Jack Ingram. While Summar’s sharp songwriting is a focal point of “Horseshoes & Hand Grenades,” one cover will likely catch listeners’ attention. It’s a punched-up treatment of the classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” For more information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Trent-Summar.
Will Rambeaux - Will Rambeaux was born in Lafayette, La., in the heart of Cajun country. On a chance visit to Tennessee in the 1980s, Will managed to get a tape to his boyhood idol, Roy Orbison. Orbison took note of his talent and offered to bring Will to Nashville where his career as a writer and producer has blossomed. Will fronted his own original roots-rock band for years, but really hit paydirt with his first cut as a songwriter in 1993. Recorded by Warner Brothers artist Faith Hill, “Wild One” took the country charts by storm staying at No. 1 for four weeks and breaking all records for a new female artist. He then had a pair of back-to-back No. 1songs for country crooner John Michael Montgomery, the first one, “How Was I To Know,” followed by “Hold On To Me.” He has also had several other top 10 singles. Will’s songs have also garnered many BMI “Most Performed Songs of the Year” awards, as well as several BMI “Million-Air” awards and included in over 50 million records sold worldwide. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Will-Rambeaux/