Full Throttle Fall Jamboree - October 28-30, 2004 -The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground Live Oak, Florida.
The bikes began rolling in early Thursday for a weekend of sun-n-fun at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground in Live Oak, Florida. David Hogan of "Hogan Entertainment", once again, put together a "Southern Rock" show that had all in attendance on their feet for three days. Thursday night began the weekend with a free kick-off party featuring the "Hooters Girls", free beer from "Budweiser", free pizza from "Dominos" and great music by "Core" and "Lock & Load.
Friday, the music got serious. The music started off with an acoustic guitar set performed by a young man named "John Harrison", a local boy, who knows he can sing, or should! John primed the audience for "Gritz Magazine's" own… "Michael Buffalo Smith". Michael wooed the crowd with stories and songs that let you know who he was. Michael is a genuine figure of a man. His down-to-earth personality made friends of all who encountered him. The "Gritz" booth was set up next to the stage for anyone interested and was never empty. After Michael's set, your's truly, "The Graveyard Boogie Band" went on for a set but, humility must leave it there.
The "Stars" of the show were about to take the stage. After decades, one of my favorite Southern Rock bands from the seventies,… "Grinderswitch" featuring founding member…"Dru Lombar". ("The train to "Grinderswitch" is running right on time…", "The South's Gonna Do It Again"…"Charlie Daniels"). It was, in a word, GREAT! There is no one on this earth, in my opinion, with as much soul as Dru. He oozes it. They played some old tunes and some new ones from their first CD in a long time…"Ghost Train To Georgia". My favorite tune from the album is "Who's been cheating on who" which can be played at their website. The guys should be really proud of themselves. It took a while for the crowd to settle down and get ready for the next act. If you get the chance, you must see "Grinderswitch". It is well worth it.
After the show ther was a dance party that carried on 'til the wee hours of the morning featuring "Biker" favorites…"Southern Outlaw Band" all the way from Georgia. The partiers woke up Saturday to music by local band…"Faster Than Flash", they cover every one from "Skynyrd" to "ZZ Top" but, I enjoyed their original music more. Check out their site, its really good stuff. Festivities ensued as "John Harrison" prepared the crowd for another set by "Michael Buffalo Smith". Then came, master of the guitar,…"Josh Kirkland and The Josh Kirkland Band". What a guitar player! Josh used to do a "Stevie Ray" tribute that left you thinking unthinkable things. Josh's drummer has a medical problem (our prayers are with him) at this time and "The Graveyard Boogie Band's" drummer…"Andy Riotto" has been filling in for him and has been doing a "BANG-up" job. The show ended with a set by Jacksonville, Florida's…"Big Engine". This band is nothing but hot! They feature "Molly Hatchet" founding member…"Banner Thomas" on bass and do a mixed set of original songs as well as excellent presentation of cover material including some "Molly Hatchet" favorites. I can't wait to see them again. You can go to Gritz Magazine for photos of the show. The shows at "The Spirit of the Suwannee" keep getting bigger all the time. David Hogan'snext show will be April 1st & 2nd, 2005 and get ready for this…Friday the 1st will feature Blues/Rock legend…"Pat Travers" and Saturday the 2nd will feature the return of "Blackfoot" with original members…Jakson Spires, Charlie Hargrett and Greg T.Walker. You better get your tickets early for this one at Eventsbyhogan.com. You should also check out "The Spirit of the Suwannee's" wesite for information on this beautiful place and what it has to offer at http://www.musicliveshere.com. Thanks to David Hogan and James Cornett for providing such a beautiful venue to have these great shows….John Lanham (The Graveyard Boogie Band)
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