Visionary ensemble features GRAMMY and IBMA winners Singer and banjoist Barry Abernathy and family featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and more! PERRY, Fla. – Award-winning super-pickers Appalachian Road Show are set to bring their riveting performance to the Florida State Bluegrass Festival Saturday, April 1st at 6:30 pm in Perry, Fla. Appalachian Road Show is a visionary acoustic ensemble, comprised of GRAMMY and IBMA award winners and nominees, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass, and folk songs, as well as offering innovative original music, all presented with a common thread tied directly to the heart of the Appalachian regions of the United States. GRAMMY-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy joins forces with GRAMMY-winning fiddler Jim VanCleve, fresh off of his recent stint touring with multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner, as well as esteemed vocalist and mandolinist Darrell Webb, who has recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent, among many others. The group also includes bassist Todd Phillips, an acknowledged legend in bluegrass music circles, with two GRAMMY wins and four GRAMMY nominations under his belt, along with 23-year-old “old soul” guitarist Zeb Snyder, whose fierce and versatile playing recalls Doc Watson and Norman Blake as readily as it does Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band recently released their latest album ‘Jubilation’ on which country legend Dolly Parton introduces and is an ode to the life, culture, and lifestyle of Appalachia. Watch/listen to Parton’s introduction HERE. The Tennessean also recently featured the supergroup to... Read More

Santa Rosa Beach FL – March 1983 marks the humble beginning of Footprints Gifts. A transformed gas station was reimagined into an apartment complex and then eventually converted into a retail store by Janet Reeves for the “Footprints Gift Shop.” This Miramar Beach “Mom and Pop” gift store is a genuine success story! The name came about by a complete family agreement to the Biblical reference in Psalm 77:19, that says, “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” Janet fulfilled her childhood dream of opening a one-of-a-kind retail store that developed into reality when her father-in-law’s one-bedroom apartment became available. She jumped on the opportunity! Life prepared Janet in her early years to launch this now local treasure. She worked at a local movie theatre and was honored with the title “youngest Confection Manager” at Sears department store! Fast forward to today, Footprints Gifts retails some of the best crafters in the area and is one of the top souvenir destinations in Sandestin/Miramar Beach. This retail haven of all things “beach centric” began with t-shirts, beach supplies, keep sakes, and inflated beach toys (supplied by the former gas station air pump). It evolved into an exclusive representation of local artisan products such as colorful bird sculptures, Sandy Pickle(ball), art prints, and magnets. In addition, including beach style home décor and gift items, or sea turtles, you can find man-cave tiki motifs, golf items, outdoor furniture, shells, and more! This... Read More

Spring break is a popular time for college students to flock to the beaches of Panama City Beach in Florida. However, in an effort to prevent excessive partying and potential dangers associated with alcohol consumption, an alcohol ban is in place during certain dates. The alcohol ban typically runs from the first weekend in March to the second weekend in April, which aligns with the peak of spring break season. During this time, it is illegal to consume alcohol on the beaches of Panama City Beach. The ban is enforced by local law enforcement officials, who patrol the beach and surrounding areas to ensure that the ban is being followed. Violators may face fines or other penalties. In addition to the alcohol ban, there are other regulations in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers. These include restrictions on glass containers, a curfew for minors, and rules regarding noise and trash. These regulations are in effect year-round. It’s important for anyone planning to visit Panama City Beach during spring break to be aware of the alcohol ban and other regulations in place. By following these rules, visitors can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for themselves and others. The alcohol ban during spring break in Panama City Beach is enforced by local law enforcement officials, including the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Beach Police Department. The officials patrol the beach and other areas to ensure that the ban is being followed. Anyone... Read More

Link Up Performance Featured 2,000 Local Elementary School Students SINFONIA GULF COAST SWELLS TO AN ORCHESTRA OF 2,000 MEMBERS FOR SPECIAL INTERACTIVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE OF LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES On March 8 the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. was transformed into an electrifying concert hall when Sinfonia Gulf Coast — the only fully professional non-profit orchestra on the Emerald Coast — presented its 9th live Link Up concert performance “The Orchestra Moves,” a national program presented in partnership with New York’s Carnegie Hall Weill Institute of Music. This year’s Link Up program showcased the talents of more than 2,000 local 3rd-5th grade students from Okaloosa and Walton Counties performing on recorder and singing. The concert was conducted by Sinfonia Gulf Coast Maestro Fuller. With recorders in hand, the students performed from their seats when given their cue by Maestro Fuller to join the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra for a range of pieces from Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez, The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss and Toreador from Georges Bizet’s Carmen and others. But these inspired kids didn’t stay in their seats, at this spirited performance they were up out of their chairs singing, dancing choreographed moves they have been practicing for months. This curriculum is geared towards 3rd-5th grade students, and in many cases locally, is the only education that they receive during the school year. The theme of this year’s Link Up program was centered around movement. Students learn how we can perceive... Read More

A stirring new portrait of Country music, Will Thompson’s parodical new single “Checklist” is truly the refreshing dose the genre needs A beloved and soulful genre, Country music has long been known for its relatable lyrics and catchy tunes. However, the Country music world has also been long criticized for being formulaic and repetitive, with ‘most songs on the radio sounding the exact same.’ However, a divergent and disruptive force in the music world aims to undo the cycle. Will Thompson, a talented songwriter, and musician has taken it upon himself to poke fun at the genre’s cliches and buzzwords with the drop of his new single, “Checklist”. Written and composed as a playful song, rife with exciting wordplay and compelling instrumentation, alongside co-writer Ashley Watson, Thompson initially penned “Checklist” as a joke. However, after performing it at the Annual Songwriters Festival in Panama City, Florida, the captivating track was met with an overwhelming audience reaction, convincing the artist that he had something special. Woven seamlessly with a catchy melody and lyrics that will make you laugh out loud, “Checklist” is an ironic, enthralling single which truly has “every word you have to say on a country radio hit.” Swiftly becoming a fan favorite at Thompson’s live shows, “Checklist” embodies Thompson’s passion for music, and displays it as a force beyond parodying the industry’s tropes. Cementing his position as a versatile songwriter who writes in every genre and wants to blur the lines between dynamic sounds, the new single is... Read More