Lakewood Ranch's Winterfest announces additions to lineup

   The lineup of acts slated to appear at Winterfest, the new two-day music festival at Lakewood Ranch, is filling up.
   Seven more acts were announced Monday: country star Ty Herndon, The Alabama Blues Brothers, Hotel California, The Backtrack Blues Band, Highway to Hell, Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall and the Mudbugs Cajun and Zydeco Band.
    Except for  Herndon, none have the name recognition of the stars that had previously been announced -- Alabama founder Jeff Cook, Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin, Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter and "Key Largo" singer Bertie Higgins -- and four are tribute acts.

Ty Herndon

   Country stalwart Billy Dean, 11-year-old guitar phenom Jake Castro and popular locals the Billy Rice Band are also among the acts announced originally.
   More additions are yet to be announced.
   “There are still a few acts we are asked not to announce until later,” said Jim Chiaffredo, the spokesperson for Winterfest.
   The festival is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. March 29-30 at the Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch.
   Winterfest officials predict about 20,000 people will attend each day. They say they plan to make Winterfest an annual event.
   Regular one-day tickets are $11.34 for kids ages 3-10, $16.52 for ages 11-17 with a valid student ID and $26.87 for adults.
   Two-day tickets are also available for $42.39. (No two-day tickets are available for kids or students, at least at this time.)
   You can also get VIP tickets for $259.74 per day, or $363.24 for both days. Those tickets get you into an air-conditioned VIP area.
   You can buy tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/435550, and you can get festival information at www.lwrwinterfest.com.

Tickets for Winterfest at Lakewood Ranch available

    Tickets are on sale now for Winterfest, the new music festival slated for Lakewood Ranch March 29-30.
   Regular one day tickets are $11.34 for kids ages 3-10, $16.52 for ages 11-17 with a valid student ID and $26.87 for adults.
   Two-day tickets are also available for $42.39. (No two-day tickets are available for kids or students, at least at this time.)
   You can also get VIP tickets for $259.74 per day, or $363.24 for both days. Those tickets get you into an air-conditioned VIP area.

Rick Derringer

   The lineup announced thus far includes Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane, Jeff Cook of country band Alabama, Manatee County resident Rick Derringer performing with his former musical partner Edgar Winter, "Key Largo" singer Bertie Higgins, country stalwart Billy Dean, 11-year-old guitar phenom Jake Castro and popular locals the Billy Rice Band.
    There's no word yet on which acts will play which days.

Jeff Cook

   Organizers say more acts will be announced later, and that they'll cover a broad range of genres, from blues and rock to jazz.
   The festival is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. at the Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch.
   Besides music, Winterfest will include more than 50 vendors and a kids' area.
    Winterfest officials predict about 20,000 people will attend each day. They say they plan to make Winterfest an annual event.
   You can buy tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/435550, and you can get festival information at www.lwrwinterfest.com.
   

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/06/19/4575800/winterfest-brings-major-rock-and.html#storylink=cpy

Rick Derringer is 'ready to rock' Sarasota Yacht Club with help from Chris Anderson, Larry Crane

The Sarasota Yacht Club's SYC Charitable Foundation has confirmed an all-star lineup for its “Ready to Rock the House on Ringling” gala on March 2.

Grammy-winning guitarist, vocalist and producer Rick Derringer, the Bradenton area resident whose many credits include writing and recording the classic rock anthem "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" is the headliner.

He'll be joined by The Outlaws' guitarist and vocalist Chris Anderson as well as guitarist/songwriter Larry Crane, who recorded a slew of songs with John Mellencamp and toured with the star from 1975-1991.

Stormbringer, one of the most popular bands in Florida for more than two decades, will be the featured house band.

Reservations are open to the public. The $150 per person ticket price is all-inclusive including an open bar until 10:30 p.m.

The SYC Charitable Foundation is a 501 c-3 corporation that provides educational scholarships to individuals for studies in marine science, marine engineering and seamanship. For more information, visit www.syccf.org.

Details: 6:30-10:30 p.m. March 2, Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.,  Sarasota. Tickets: $150. Information: 941-365-4191 or www.sarasotayacht club.org.

Bradenton's Rick Derringer on playing with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (with video)

Manatee County resident Rick Derringer, the guitar hero most famous for the self-penned hit "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and "Hang on Sloopy," will be performing with Jeff Cook (Alabama) and Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) on May 4 at the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium to raise funds for the Palmetto-based Del Couch Music Education Foundation.

Derringer told me today, for an upcoming feature story to advance the local show, that in addition to jamming with the other musicians he plans to perform a solo set and tell some stories.

Perhaps one of those tales will include the one about touring with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band in 2010 and performing the Beatles' "White Album" cut "Birthday" with Paul McCartney, who made a surprise appearance at Radio City Music Hall.

The show in New York City took place on Starr's 70th birthday.

Yoko Ono, Joe Walsh, Steve Van Zandt, Sarasota resident Brian Johnson, Jeff Lynne, Nils Lofgren, Max Weinberg and Foreigner's Mick Jones had just left the stage following a massive singalong rendition of "With a Little Help From My Friends," according to RollingStone.com. Then McCartney came out to play "Birthday" with Starr on drums and Derringer nailing those signature lead guitar licks.

"Joe Walsh arranged for the surprise appearance," Derringer said. "It was just a cool, cool experience. Paul McCartney jumped on stage to do 'Birthday' and Yoko Ono came up on stage and there was Ringo and his son Zak (Starkey). It was just fabulous."

—Photo of Rick Derringer with Brian Johnson and Paul McCartney from Derringer's Facebook page.

Jeff Cook (Alabama), Rick Derringer and Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) will join forces in Bradenton for Del Couch Music Education Foundation fundraiser

Derringer: Our Beatles connection