Ted Lukas

In the mid-to-late 90′s, Ted Lukas served as the premier songwriter and lead guitar player behind Big Deal Recording Artists, Barely Pink. He is featured on the group’s Big Deal debut, Number One Fan (’97), and their follow-up release, Ellie’s Suitcase (’99). Both Big Deal releases were also licensed to the major label, JVC/Victor in Japan. Ted Lukas and Barely Pink were also featured on Big Deal’s 1997 Burt Bacharach tribute CD, What the World Needs Now.

In 1998, Ted Lukas formed Tampa Bay’s breakthrough Americana band Hangtown, releasing two full length CDs: Here For Now (1999) on the Florida based Blue Heart label, and Eleven Reasons (2001) on Mississippi based Black Dog Records, a label founded by members of the legendary alternative country band, Blue Mountain.

In 2003 singer/songwriter Ted Lukas released a solo CD, Distracted, to much critical acclaim. In 2006, Hangtown reunited to release the EP Gone Today, Here Tomorrow. Sessions for this EP were mixed by known producer, Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel at Cowboy Technical Services in Brooklyn.

With the 2008 solo release, Misled, Ted Lukas revisited his power-pop roots. The 10-songs on this self-produced, self-released CD capture the dynamic guitars, catchy melodies, and heartfelt vocals that were once made popular by classic artists such as Big Star, Nick Lowe, and Badfinger.

On April 6, 2010, Ted Lukas and the Misled release their latest CD, Learn How to Fall, on Nine Alarm Records. Produced by Ted Lukas and mixed by Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel, this 10-song CD is a rich Americana blend of rootsy rock and twang, featuring plenty of big guitar riffs and catchy melodic hooks.

Over the past fifteen years, Ted Lukas has appeared at some of the most reputable, well known original music venues and showcase events in the U.S.

Rebekah Pulley & The Reluctant Prophets

Rebekah was raised in a musical household with her nine siblings in rural Alaska. A self taught guitarist, she gained an ear for music by listening to her father practice and perform his pre-rockabilly style with country greats such as Charlie Ryan with whom he recorded the original version of Hot Rod Lincoln.

At a young age Rebekah moved away from her family and found a new home in St Petersburg, FL. She worked odd jobs and spent her free time writing songs. Eventually, she built up the courage to perform at some of the local open mic nights, which over time, led to her now full time career in music.

Rebekah has enjoyed the last 12 years performing at venues ranging from intimate coffee houses to large festivals. Her natural home is now on stage both solo and with her backing band, The Reluctant Prophets.

During this time, she has recorded 4 full-length CD’s that have permeated American and European airwaves. Each CD contains its own distinctive blend of tough but tender songs reflecting heartache, love, self-discovery and worldly chaos. Her unique combination of skilled songwriting and powerful stage presence has earned Ms. Pulley a place in the hearts and CD players of fans and critics across the nation.

La Lucha

La Lucha is a Tampa Bay based trio that consists of three best friends from three different parts of the world; Colombia, Mexico & United States. Its members are Alejandro Arenas, bass; Mark Feinman, drums; and John O’Leary, piano. Their repertoire is a diverse mixture of Jazz standards, Latin inspired rhythms and original compositions. Each member of the trio has extensive national and international performance experience, including a tour of Italy and France with performances at the “Umbria Jazz Festival” and “Jazz a Juan” in Juan Les Pins.

La Lucha aims to create music that transcends genres and classifications. They consider music to be live art, which will continue to breathe, grow and evolve with their commitment to it.

Their debut album, “A Cup of Fuzzy Water” was released in 2009 and their second album will be available in Summer 2012, featuring Jun Bustamante on vocals.

Jun Bustamante is a singer-songwriter located in St. Petersburg. Born in Japan and raised in Venezuela, Jun has been exposed to a wide variety of music and incorporates this into her unique approach.

10th Concession

10th Concession is a Tampa based rock/pop breath of fresh air fronted by brothers, Ian and Evan Koteles. The duo spent 2 years in Nashville writing and recording their debut album under the direction of producer, Fred Mollin. Upon completion of the album, Ian and Evan returned to Tampa to recruit the rhythm section that would complete the package and take 10th Concession to the next level. After months of auditions Matt Brady joined on bass, found through Craigslist, and Aaron Mederos on drums, referred by a mutual friend in the Tampa music scene.

In 2010 the guys self managed and booked a year of 200+ shows, TV appearances (local and abroad) as well as the release of their latest self-titled EP in December. The release also doubled as a fundraiser where 10th Concession raised $8,000 to benefit Ellen Degeneres’ anti-bullying campaign, It Gets Better.

Voted best indie rock/pop act by the readers of creative loafing, Tampa, as well as TBT’s Ultimate Local Band, their sound has been described as follows:
“10th Concession’s sparkly blend of middle-of-the road pop and modern arena rock is what you’d get if the ’70s group America were reincarnated as Lifehouse.”

10th Concession’s next goal is to find the right management/label that believes in the potential of their project so they can further spread their music.

Pete Merrigan

Audiences everywhere have been enjoying Pete Merrigan’s bands and solo performances for many years. Since the age of 15, Pete’s career has taken him from high school stages to concert halls, smoke-filled barrooms to festivals, opera houses, radio shows – over the airwaves and on the internet – and most every imaginable venue in between, through 19 states and 3 countries, a half million miles and several thousand shows. Pete has entertained crowds from the Caribbean Islands and the beaches of Florida’s west coast to the ski resorts of New England playing acoustic guitar and harmonica and singing the songs he and his audiences love to hear.

A love of performing and a genuine love of his audience is what has made Pete Merrigan such a successful entertainer for all these years. People always sense that he truly enjoys what he does and that creates a good feeling in any room anywhere!

His fellow musicians have described him as the best front man they’ve ever worked with; a consummate performer with an innate sense of theatrics complemented by a funky, offbeat sense of humor, unlimited energy, a strong voice and the ability to portray, rather than just deliver a song. Whether the occasion calls for familiar, danceable material, a quiet dinner set, Pete adapts to the environment.

Four very polished albums, The Eyes of a Child, State of Grace, The Last Resort and the incredible live recording of him and his friends, The Mad Beach Band; A Night at the Opera, chronical his original songs such as “State of Grace,” “Born Here” and “Eye of the Devil” (of which Steven Tyler, lead singer for Aerosmith, said “That’s a great song!”) Although solo performing is Pete’s main focus these days, he has a ready list of talented side-men to accompany him when the gig calls for a 2, 3, 4, or 5 piece band.

Not Broken Yet

Based in Tampa/St. Petersburg Florida, Not Broken Yet consists of Paul Cataldo, acoustic and electric guitars and vocals, L. A. Moore, acoustic and electric guitars and vocals and John Stone, bass and vocals and Rick Olson on percussion. We are primarily an acoustic band but our sound is influenced by Rock, Rhythm and Blues and the Folk Music of the 60′s to the present.

Kasondra Rose

Solo acoustic performer. Group fitness instructor. Devourer of cookies.

John Paul Goetsch

John Paul Goetsch is a local singer-songwriter and musician from St. Petersburg FL. Raised in a household where music was always present and supported, he started playing guitar when he was twelve. He quickly took to the folk, rock, and blues traditions laid down by countless artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Howlin’ Wolf, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, among others.

It’s his love of writing, performing, creating music that is his passion.

He got his start at open mics, eventually becoming the host of one in downtown St. Pete for about a year in 2009/10, where he met many other artists. He has performed all over the St. Pete scene, as well as being a founding member of several local groups. For him, every song has its own unique voice, and how you deliver that song matters every time. For him, every song can take on a new meaning with the strike of the pick.

Deserie

Deserie has shared the stage with many of the St. Petersburg/Tampa music scene’s finest artists for the past 20 years. Her sultry, soulful crooning is reminiscent of Norah Jones and Eva Cassidy, and when she belts out the blues she stands toe to toe with blues greats like Bonnie Raitt. Her influences also include the great female rhythm and blues artists of the 20th century such as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Deserie recently teamed up with songwriting and production partner Rick Schettino to compose “I Miss You So,” a gospel-style blues ballad. Look for more original music from Deserie in the near future.

Adam Shoemaker

Musician – Guitarist, Singer, Drummer, Bassist, Songwriter… Music is my life…

A.J. Swearingen

A.J. has been writing, performing and producing his own style of acoustic music for the last twenty years. His voice is rich and uniquely soulful and his contemporary songwriting clearly pays homage to the standout iconic folk-rock-pop artists of the past. “A Straight Line”, released in 2011, is AJ’s finest work to date. This new collection is a fresh yet familiar extension of AJ’s songwriting, production and musicianship. These songs will grab your heart in ways that only your favorite artist can. A.J.’s musical journey started in Bethlehem, PA and has expanded to a national / international following through performances and cd sales to Germany, Belgium, Japan and Spain. A.J has also shared the stage with numerous recording artists including Livingston Taylor, Kenny Rogers, Jonathan Edwards, John Gorka, Dave Mason, and Tom Rush. As a songwriter, A.J.’s compositions have gained the attention of his peers. In fact, Tom Rush’s latest release, “What I Know”, includes A.J.’s previously recorded, “You’re Not Here With Me”.

SWEARINGEN & KELLI

“Swearingen & Kelli”, fresh to the 2012 music scene, is the blending of AJ Swearingen & Jayne Kelli’s unique artistry. Known for their rich and silky vocals, this powerful songwriting union crosses genres from acoustic-folk to edgier and darker indie-pop. They melt into each other’s sound and captivate audiences with emotive harmonies and stellar musicianship. From outlaw to absolute romanticism, the energy of this combination reveals imagination and expansion on the new musical frontier.

Visit Jayne Kelli’s site: jaynekellimusic.com

SIMON & GARFUNKEL retrospective

AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle have been performing this remarkable tribute to the music of “Simon & Garfunkel” for more than a decade and their sold out shows prove the effect on their audiences is undeniable. A chance meeting in 1991, in a local club in Bethlehem, PA, brought these two talented artists together. A brief introduction and moments later they were blending their voices as if they had been performing together for a lifetime. AJ’s warm baritone and Jonathan’s soaring tenor combine flawlessly to capture the essence and magic of “Simon & Garfunkel’s” sound of the early years in Greenwich Village. With a quiet stage and an acoustic guitar, A.J. and Jonathan re-create the memories of the classic hits and obscure songs of “Simon & Garfunkel.” Discover why audiences are cheering for this duo as they capture —the magic of “Simon and Garfunkel.” website: simonandgarfunkeltribute.com

AJ is one of the featured artists for Voyage-Air guitars. These are remarkable instruments for touring. Check them out: voyageairguitar.com

Jayne Kelli

Michigan born singer/songwriter Jayne Kelli released her album, Wake, this year, unveiling a personal collection of transformation and romantic strife. This rising songwriting powerhouse has haunting and powerful vocals to match, delivering emotive performances that are quickly gaining attention. Kelli has been based in the Tampa Bay area for the last few years mixed with tours up to the mid-west, Italy, and England. She was selected as one of the 2011 favorites on the WMNF Florida folk show by host Pete Gallagher. Though some of her music, as reviewed by El Paso music critic, Doug Pullen, has been described as “very organic, soulful folk-rock with prosaic lyrics”, Kelli bends genres into the alternative dark-pop zone in some of her new material. A new album is in its infancy stage, but Wake is still going for the hard push in 2012.

John Kelly

John Kelly is a singer/songwriter from Teaneck, NJ living in Saint Petersburg, FL. John’s newest album, Welcome Home is set to be released in Summer 2012. John is also the owner/operator of The Hideaway Cafe – a music venue and recording studio in Historic Grand Central.