Jett, Survivor to Headline Destin Seafood Festival
Special to the Beachcomber

June 25, 2009 Issue

Survivor and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will take center stage during the Destin Seafood Festival’s 31st celebration, set to take place Oct. 2-4 along the Destin Harbor.

Grammy winners Survivor will take the stage Friday night at 8.†The band has released 10 albums in its 32-year career and scored hits like “I Can’t Hold Back” and “High on You.” They exploded onto the national scene in 1982, when Sylvester Stallone used their “Eye of the Tiger” as the theme song for Rocky III. Black-Eyed Blonde, featuring Beachcomber Music Award winning bassist Dan Collins, will open for the band.

The Northwest Florida State College Soundsations Show Choir will perform at 4:45 p.m. The choir performs a collection of music ranging from classic rock ‘n roll to contemporary pop in a style similar to a Las Vegas floor show.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will headline Saturday night. The band’s hits include nine Top 40 singles, including the #1 hit “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.” The band’s most recent album, 2006’s Sinner, was a critical success. College radio favorite Ocean Street (“Till I’m Gone,” “One Horse Town”) will open for the Blackhearts—their music can also be heard on several MTV series.

Other local favorites will hit the stage during the event. Chuck Lawson will kick off the entertainment Saturday at 2 p.m. Lawson is a songwriter and singer who performs a wide variety of genres along with upbeat, highly acclaimed original songs. The Forrest Williams Band will perform at 4, with a set that is certain to include their trademark acoustic sound combined with rock, soul and country.

The Sal Salaz Project is set to perform Sunday at noon. Salaz, a master percussionist, has played in various Latin and jazz bands and is known for his remarkable hand drumming. Jones and Company will follow at 2. The enduring band, fronted by Beachcomber Music Award winner Cheryl Jones, always plays with heart and conviction.

For more information, visit www.destinseafoodfestival.org, or contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241.†

FRIENDS OF THE BEAT
Beachcomber Music Award winning singer-songwriter Reed Waddle informs the Beat he’ll be performing June 25 in New York City with the prestigious New York Songwriters Circle. Waddle will share the stage with John Oates (Waddle’s collaborator on Piece by Piece), Phoebe Snow, Jesse Harris, Tina Shafer and Marcus Hummon. “Each of these fabulous songwriters has sold multimillions of CDs and written songs that are like old friends to music lovers everywhere,” says Waddle. He also just released a performance video of “Piece by Piece” from his recent gig with the All American Rejects. www.reedwaddle.com.

Marc Harris—profiled here years ago—says he’s been playing in Destin a lot these days and got “my first real royalties” from a song he performed on E! television last fall. The show “ended up re-running about 20 times through the fall of 2008.” Harris is also gearing up for the release of his next CD, Slow Down You’re Here, and will play some of the new songs on the July 2 installment of WUWF’s RadioLive on 88.1 FM. “The title song was inspired by the old sign in Grayton Beach,” says Harris. Other gigs include Gulf Place Beach Bar in Santa Rosa Beach July 3 and 4, the latter date with acclaimed songstress Alice Bargeron; July 3 and 4 at Santa Rosa Beach’s Ballyhoo—formerly Salty Dog, formerly Snapperheads--with Tasha Johnson; and Hog’s Breath, Destin, July 8-11 with Cadillac Willy. www.marcharris.com.

RECENT GIGS
If you’ve caught a great show—locally or otherwise—send us a review. Your comments and photos are always welcome at thebeachcomber@earthlink.net. Please provide date and location, along with your sharp observations.

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