We the Kings free show today near Bradenton

We the Kings play free 'Hometown Holiday Show' show today at The Hall in Palmetto.

Tis the season for holiday happenings.

And for fans of modern rock, it doesn't get much better than this bash.

The platinum-selling pop-punk band We the Kings' sixth annual Hometown Holiday Show will be a freebie 7 p.m. today (Dec. 27) at The Hall in Palmetto.

It will be first-come, first-serve at the door to receive free tickets. Meet-and-greet tickets will be available for $50 and include early entry and a meet-and-greet with We The Kings. Meet-and-greet tickets can be purchased only at Georgia Carpet World, 5425 14th St., Bradenton, during normal business hours.

We the Kings, which formed in Bradenton, sold out all its previous pay shows at the 950-capacity Manatee County venue.

"We wanted to do something where we could give back," singer/guitarist Travis Clark told the Herald. "Christmas time is really damaging on peoples' wallets and we didn't want anyone worrying about buying a ticket. It's our friends and family and only seems right to give back to the community.

"We're expecting an absolutely packed and wild party," Clark added. "Each year it gets better and better."

Boyce Avenue, a rock band that formed in Sarasota and released the album "All that We Have Left" through Universal in 2010, is also scheduled to perform during the four-hour concert that starts at 7 p.m.

"They're amazing guys and really good friends of ours and super talented," Clark said. "They have the same hometown pride that we do."

Clark, who grew up in Bradenton and has a house here, moved to Hollywood about four months ago.

Read more here.

New Year's Eve celebrations and more in Weekend.


—Publicity photo of We the Kings.

Bradenton area to be home of Ringling Bros. Circus Winter Quarters

Elephants on parade during Ringling Bros. media event Dec. 14, 2010, at Winter Quarters in Tampa.
Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2010/12/ringling-bros-ringmaster-announced-for.html#storylink=cpy

A major boon appears on the horizon for the bustling Bradenton area.

One that could not only result in more high-paying jobs, but also some nice name recognition.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus became synonymous with Sarasota when its Winter Quarters were there from 1927 to 1959.

Now "The Greatest Show on Earth" might be just as closely associated with Manatee County.

Feld Entertainment, which acquired Ringling Bros. in 1967, plans to eventually move Winter Quarters to Ellenton from the Florida State Fairgrounds, where the circus is currently rehearsing its 143rd edition for a world premiere Jan. 2-6 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The new Ellenton facility will house 100,000 square feet of office space and 450,000 square feet of manufacturing in two buildings along U.S. 301.

"We're not at a place yet where we can tell when we will have the capability to rehearse all the circuses at this facility," Feld spokesman Stephen Payne told the Bradenton Herald.

"But the long-term goal is to move Winter Quarters to Ellenton."

Read more.

Ringling Bros. ringmaster announced for 141st edition debuting in Tampa

Country star Kellie Pickler playing Palmetto

Kellie Pickler headlining Ribfest

Country star Kellie Pickler ranks as a pretty good get for the fifth edition of The Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest.

The lineup announcement came today for this year’s fest taking place April 8-10 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto.

Pickler performs April 9.

The 2005 "American Idol" finalist's hit singles include "Red High Heels," "I Wonder," "Best Days of Your Life," "Didn't You Know How Much I Love You" and her most recent, last year's "Makin' me Fall in Love Again."

In addition to 24-year-old Pickler, Tampa-formed Southern rock heroes the Outlaws, popular smooth jazz saxophonist Eric Darius (who grew up in Tampa) as well as contemporary R&B crooners Lloyd and Tank are also confirmed.

Regional and local artists include The Boss Hawg Band, The Dr. Dave Band, The Mitch Clark Band, AJ and the Automatics and the On Que Players.

Ribfest tickets go on sale March 18.

Click for details/complete entertainment roster.

Bill Bailey's Winter Gospel Music Convention in Bradenton Jan. 31-Feb. 5

My interview with Bradenton-based pastor and nationally acclaimed gospel music promoter Bill Bailey:

A multitude of people will pour into Palmetto next week to celebrate Christian faith with song at the Winter Gospel Music Convention.
Organizers expect the convention to draw between 2,000 and 3,000 for each 7:30 p.m. performance Monday through Saturday at the Manatee Convention Center. And free 1:30 p.m. matinees, which run daily starting Tuesday, are an added bonus for the congregation of locals and out-of-towners.
Headliners include the Blackwood Brothers (Monday; pictured), Booth Brothers (Tuesday and Wednesday) and the Triumphant Quartet (Thursday).

Continue reading.

Manatee County Fair headliner The Band Perry talks about smash single 'If I Die Young,' Lady Gaga and upcoming Grammy Awards appearance

PUBLICITY PHOTO From left, Reid, Kimberly and Neil Perry

The Band Perry, which performs at the Manatee County Fair on Jan. 20, had one of the biggest country hits of last year with "If I Die Young." The sibling act's oldest member and lead singer Kimberly Perry, who performs with younger brothers Reid and Neil, wrote the song and it has landed the group an invitation to the Grammys on Feb. 13. I talked with all three Perrys during a recent phone interview for this story running in the Weekend section of today's Herald:

“If I Die Young” has been nominated for Best Country Song and the trophy goes to the writer. Competition includes songs written for George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson and Zac Brown’s self-penned “Free.” Win or lose, the Perrys are just excited about being invited to the music industry’s biggest night -- and maybe crossing paths with their favorite pop star.
“Neil is looking forward to meeting Lady Gaga,” 22-year-old Reid said of his younger brother, who’s 20.
Kimberly quickly added: “I love her. Especially when she strips down to just her and the piano. Everything about her. She’s just really interesting.”

Continue reading.

The Band Perry: 'If I Die Young"