Sunshine Get Down at Florida Sand Music Ranch Lineup Announced

Last year’s inaugural Sunshine Get Down at Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, Florida, was a blast. They have really upped the ante with the announcement of 25 bands for the sophomore edition, slated for May 16-18. Florida Sand (formerly Sertoma Youth Ranch) will again utilize the main stage and the second stage adjacent to it, with music bouncing back and forth for three glorious days.

The lineup includes the New Jersey band Rainbow Full of Sound, featuring touring pro Waynard Scheller on keyboards, performing Dead Zep. Not much interpretation required there. Also atop the list are Melody Trucks and Vaylor Trucks with Melody’s band lovingly presenting the music of their late father, Allman Brothers Band founder and drummer Butch Trucks.

Before we get to all the Sunshine State goodness, let’s look at a couple bands from out of state. Start with Ponder the Albatross from Colorado, adeptly whipping up punk, jam, and newgrass, and Georgia funk machine Adam and the Testifiers. Speaking of Georgia, there was just no chance keeping The Ain’t Sisters and Tire Fire from crossing the Florida-Georgia line to head to Florida Sand. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

You can have that covers-vs-originals debate if you like, but most festival-goers seem to adore BOTH. As noted above, they’ve already got The Dead, Zep, and ABB covered. Add to those Antelope: A Tribute to the Band Phish, Wall of Echoes (Pink Floyd), and Mushroom Soup (more ABB).

There are thoughtful acoustic and bluegrass sounds coming from Free Range Strange, Light the Wire, and The Wandering Hours. More great original indie rock comes from Harber Wynn, Row Jomah, shoeless soul, and HoneyWhat.

Killer rock? Of course! Tand, Minim, Grindstone Sinners, Tony Tyler Band, and Earth Bombs Mars, plus funky grooves by The Strangeways and The Low Heavies. And it is impossible to describe the depth and breadth of talent produced by the students of Sgammato School of Music, ably led by Chris Sgammato.