Gator Jam Brought Music of the Past Alive Again
This Saturday, Gator Jam took over the Miccosukee Resort and Casino for the fourth year. It was a well organized event that offered something for everyone, and it was part of a series called The Southern Uprising Tour. The organizers made it clear that they intend to continue making this an annual event as part of the casino’s entertainment calendar.
Although the weather appeared threatening the entire day, the dark clouds coupled with temperatures in the low 70s made for a comfortable climate at the start of the festival. Despite the threats of rain that continued into the evening, there was only a brief sprinkling that lasted less than five minutes. As the night went on, the temperatures began to drop, people switched from drinking beer to coffee to stay warm in 64-degree weather.
The biggest issue was certainly the weather that kept many people away. Sadly, the weather was the main factor that kept some country music lovers from enjoying a night of amazing music acts who came prepared to offer their very best.
The festival also featured some of the best BBQ pit masters from both near and far. Some came from as far north as Ohio, while others were local. They all came to compete for the coveted title of Gator Jam BBQ Champion. Barbecue was certainly the food of choice for those attending, but there were other offerings also available to satisfy the palate of those who sought an alternative.
If there was one place that stayed busy the entire night, it was the beverage tent. The offerings included both a diverse variety of beer, including the ever-popular craft beers, and a varied selection of liquor. Fortunately, everyone appeared to be well behaved and under control while enjoying a night of entertainment and drinking.
There were plenty of activities to keep everyone busy before the music started. Among of the more popular gathering places were the horseshoe pits that appeared to always have someone playing even well after the music started. Other activities included cornhole games and activities for kids. If you like mechanical bulls, you certainly had your hands full. This bucking bull challenged even the most experienced riders. It was nice to see both young and old trying to outdo each other for their own record times.
One of the most important and often overlooked parts of attending a music festival is security. The Miccosukee Police Department was everywhere. There were plenty of uniformed security people roving the grounds making sure that everyone felt their presence, giving those attending a sense of safety and security at all times.
For those who purchased a reserved seat, one of the advantages of premium seating was the excellent sight lines to the stage. The stage was at a perfect height for those who chose to watch the show from their seats. The VIP section offered a few amenities, including a covered tent, their own bar, bathrooms and plenty of comfortable, cushioned seating with an unblocked view of the stage.
The stage was about average for this type of event, typical to what is seen at most smaller music festivals. The stage lighting was also adequate but certainly wasn’t spectacular.
Tampa Bay-based Southern rockers The Outlaws opened the festival with a brief but superb set. When it comes to the Outlaws, they are as consistent as they come; if you have attended an Outlaw show in the past, you know what to expect. This is a band that always bring their best, as they have for over 40 years.
The Marshall Tucker Band was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd. The band played a short set, with a few of their classic hits peppered in with some new material. Their mix of country and Southern rock provided a steady stream of guitar riffs that kept the crowd dancing during their entire set.
Surprisingly, the Charlie Daniels Band was not the headliner, but it was clear whom the crowd came to see. When Charlie Daniels took the stage, those sitting in the reserved seats rushed the stage, cellphones in hand, to record the performance of a true country legend. It’s nothing short of amazing that a man of 81 years of age performs on stage as if he were 20 years younger. Daniels, along with the band, performed several of the many hits that have made him a household name. One of the most touching moments was when Daniels, a true American, paid tribute the our military men and women, regardless of branch or where they served. The night could not end without the song that everyone came to hear. When Daniels took hold of the fiddle, the crowd jumped to their feet to hear “The Devil Went Down in Georgia.” After Daniels completed his set, it was clear that the fans felt full and satisfied by the performance of a true music legend.
As the night headed into the final act in what was an incredible night of country and Southern Rock music, the headliner of the night, Travis Tritt, was greeted by an audience of about 30 percent less as many fans left at the conclusion of the Charlie Daniels Band performance. By now it had gotten pretty cold as temperatures had dipped into the mid-60s. Tritt’s performance can only be described as superb; the two-time Grammy winner gave the crowd exactly what they waited for, a full set with plenty of energy to reignite the somewhat tepid crowd that remained.
Overall, considering that the weather had been questionable the entire night, those who attended were treated to a memorable night of music. The night was filled with a chance to see artists who have not only endured a generation but also genres of music that didn’t exist when they first started. These living legends gave the fans exactly what they wanted: a chance to go back in time when life and music were much simpler.
