MILTON — For the next nine weeks, the Blackwater River will be rocking with some of the best local musical talent as the City of Milton hosts its second annual Bands on the Blackwater.
After a big 2012 with four originally scheduled concerts, the City of Milton Downtown Redevelopment Board and the Milton Parks Department has grown the event into a nine-week free concert series every Friday 6–8 p.m. during May and June.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned out last year,” said Milton Parks and Recreation Director John Norton. “Another amazing thing was the number of people who wanted us to extend the concerts to July.
“We listened and added three more concerts to the original four we had scheduled.”
A few things are different this year for Bands on the Blackwater. The first change is the time of year, while the second is the location. Bands on the Blackwater for 2013 will be held just south of the Milton Riverwalk.
“We moved the concerts to months where we could enjoy some cooler weather, while also avoiding the rains of April and July,” Norton said. “We are also moving the location just a little north on Willing Street so we can help showcase the beautiful Milton Riverwalk as well as get the music to the people on the boats better.
“People can bring their coolers and lawn chairs and enjoy the concerts near the stage or set up on the Riverwalk overlooking the Blackwater River.”
Some groups like Not Quite Fab, a Beatles tribute band, and the CrossTown Band will return while others will make their first appearance at Bands on the Blackwater like The Springs, a high-energy country/southern rock band out of Nashville.
“We have a wide variety when you look at the acts from a Beatles cover band to southern rock,” said Norton. “Most groups are proven acts that have played at places like Bands on the Beach in Pensacola.
“The Springs are an interesting group who we were connected with through Joe Lewis and the BonfireJam. They are a proven group out of Nashville who should be signing a major record deal sometime in the next year.”
According to Norton food and beverages will be available for purchase and personal coolers are permitted.
Also this year there will be representatives from the BonfireJam with giveaways, contests, and information on their event planned for December featuring country artist Jake Owen.
Check the website for information regarding all city sports and activities at www.ci.milton.fl.us or contact the Milton Community Center at 983-5466
Bands on the Blackwater Lineup
May 3: Southern Soul, Southern-fried rock and roll
May 10: Dr. Breeze, jazz, blues, and classic rock
May 17: Not Quite Fab, Beatles tribute band
May 24: Cross Town Band, classic rock, blues, and everything in between
May 31: Southern Breeze, country, acoustic, and southern rock
June 7: 13th Hourglass, music from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and some ’90s
June 14: Modern Eldorados, American honky tonk
June 21: Reunion Band, rock, oldies, and R&B hits from the 60’s
June 28: The Springs, country/southern rock