Greetings from Florida Tour Does Shuffle in Tampa
The Greetings from Florida tour featured three young musicians and bands performing in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando June 5-9. The tour stopped at Shuffle in Tampa Saturday, June 8, thanks to Brokenmold Entertainment. The object of the tour was to introduce the musicians to brand new audiences around the state. Based on the Tampa show, it was a great success.
Up first was Hannah Stokes, a singer-songwriter who accompanied herself on guitar. Her lovely vocals shimmered, and she got a great tone from her guitar, opening with “This Mountain.” She told us about each song: origins, inspirations, and the like. “1957 (Grandpa’s Song)” was a tune she wrote seven years ago with Ashley Dudukovich (Chasing Jonah).
She described a trip to Yellowstone National Park to introduce “Landscapes.” On that plaintive last song, “How Could This Love Be So Lonely,” she very effectively used vocalese. She is a great up-and-coming talent (Christian Ryan was correct).
[STOKES: This Mountain, Waste Time, Right Where I Belong, 1957, Landscapes, How Could This Love Be So Lonely]
Cat Ridgeway is a dynamic performer, singing and playing guitar and banjo. Her band for this set featured John Dorney, bass; Andrew Williams, guitar, vocals; and Kaleigh Lebeau, trumpet, vocals. Missing this night was Christian Ryan, reeds and flute. Filling in on drums was one of the area’s very best, Natalie Depergola (Katara).
There was a great “check engine light” reference in “Sprinter.” Ridgeway has a fine voice, and she can, as Tina used to say, “do it easy… and do it rough.” “Get Well Soon” was a perfect example, as she eased into the song and then roared! The three-part harmonies with LeBeau and Williams were lovely. LeBeau’s trumpet offered a fine coda.
Williams was a standout on guitar throughout the set, and LeBeau’s trumpet features were delightful. Dorney worked well with Depergola to provide the platform for the songs. Ridgeway played inspired guitar; her banjo was more guitar-like in approach but really enjoyable, as on “What If.” After “Go Long,” Ridgeway honored the punk tradition with some truly punk banjo on “Epilogue.” What an enjoyable set!
[CAT: Sprinter, Get Well Soon, Blessed Be the Beast, What If, Aspen, Go Long, Epilogue]
That left it to Dorney, who had been bassist for Ridgeway, to cap off the evening. He was joined by Andrew Williams, who also played with Ridgeway, Bucky Buckingham on drums, JJ on bass, and Megan Shay, percussion, synths, and vocals. This was a rocking set backing up Dorney’s vocals. ‘Here Now” and “Real Love” were good examples, the latter with fine synth work from Shay.
Williams and Dorney both had fine guitar moments, including some great feedback from Dorney on the ballad “Wade In.” This made it three entertaining sets on the evening, a perfect trifecta.
[DORNEY: 1 > Take It As It Comes, Here Now, Real Love, 5, Wade In, 7, I Don’t Wanna]
There is so much great music being performed out there. You don’t have to wait for stadium shows or overpriced concerts; there are plenty of free and low-cost shows every day, just like this one. Get out there to support live music!
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