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Entertainment Schedule
Map and Directions to RE Olds Park
Friendly faces, fiery wings, fabulous cars, fantastic music, a carnival full of fun and warm spring sunshine will join forces the weekend of March 26-28, as the 49th Annual Oldsmar Days celebration – presented by, The Nielsen Company and Bright House Networks – returns to the shores of Old Tampa Bay for three full days of family-oriented music, food and fun. This is a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Golden Anniversary of one of the most historic, long running and most popular spring events in the Tampa Bay Region. Check out our video promo!
Back as always will be the Saturday morning Oldsmar Days Parade, the carnival, midway, arts & crafts show and non-stop music at R.E. Olds Park.
Back, too, will be the Sunday afternoon “Wing Wars” chicken wing cook-off.
And back this year – by popular demand – will be Commander Cody … a true classic rock headliner once heralded by Rolling Stone magazine as the “best live act in rock ‘n roll.”
Commander Cody had a string of Top-10 hits in the ‘70s, but none of them bigger than “Hot Rod Lincoln,” which went all the way to #9 in 1972. The “Ol Commander’s” performance at our 2009 Oldsmar Days celebration drew the largest crowd in the history of the event, prompting event organizers to invite the band back for a well-deserved encore.
Of course, classic rock music shares the spotlight with classic cars at Oldsmar Days, as a trio of collector shows turn R.E. Olds Park into a waterside museum of American automotive history. City founder Ransom Eli Olds – inventor of the Oldsmobile – would be proud that the auto industry is still linked to his family’s name … and to the city he literally “put on the map!” And joining us this year will be R. E. Olds two great grandsons, Tom Roe and Phil Fouke, from LA and McMinnville, Ore.
There will also be a lot of “first-time” entertainment – and eats! – at this year’s festival, as a string of the Bay Area’s best classic rock and blues bands play on the beautiful R.E. Olds Park band shell.
Corvettes and Hogs ‘rock’ on Friday
The festival – sponsored this year by The Nielsen Group, Bright House Networks, Tampa Tribune, City of Oldsmar, Tampa Electric Co., Tampa Bay Downs, Budweiser Beer, Full Throttle Magazine, Goodrich-Lighting Systems, Flagship Community Bank, The Suncoast Hospice Foundation, Courtyard by Marriott and We Haul It – officially gets underway with the opening of the Arnold Amusements carnival and midway at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 26. Opening night is always popular with the teens, who grab a $18 All-You-Can Ride wristband and spin ‘til the cows come home. Or get the $50 mega ticket and ride all 26 hours of the event.
You can expect the carnival to be jam-packed with high-velocity “thrill rides,” low-speed kiddie attractions and a variety of challenging midway games, as well as some “fair”-ly addictive carnival food.
The arts & crafts show, business exhibits, food court and Budweiser Beer garden also open at 5 p.m. Friday, with music on the band shell – and our Vettes and Hogs show. It doesn’t get any more classic than that.
Check out the all-American display of automotive excellence along the waterfront, and enjoy the all-American music served up by one of the Tampa Bay area’s top southern rock bands ... Charlie O and the Houserockers.
The Houserockers bring us a unique mix of Sothern Rockin blues and soul music with Mississippi roots. Charlie O was influenced early in his career by Duane Allman and Eric Clapton so be prepared to really rock on Friday night.
They’ll play two ninety minute sets on Friday night, mixing many classics with some of their original music. The vocal mixes are really exceptional and we’re pumped about having this outstanding band in our mix. Don’t be surprised if they throw in a third set, Charley appreciates a responsive and it’s hard to get him off the stage so come and show the Houserocker's some Oldsmar style love and you’ll be rewarded.
Parade & fun ‘roll’ on Saturday
The Oldsmar Days festival grounds – including the carnival and food court – are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday March 27, though entertainment on the band shell doesn’t begin until 1 p.m.
That’s because we want to give you time to catch the 49th Annual Oldsmar Days Parade, which kicks-off at 11 a.m. The best viewing spots are along State Street in downtown Oldsmar and along Park Boulevard between City Hall and the park ... and you’d better be there early if you want to catch those coveted beads! The Shriner’s have promised to join us this year so this will be one of the largest parades we’ve had in recent years.
Once the bead-throwing is over, head on down to the park where one of the areas most popular bands, The Charlie Morris Band will take the stage. Charlie has promised to serves up original blues, cookin’ with an old-school recipe: Chicago barbecue, Louisiana spice, Tennessee twang and Florida gator tail. Charlie is currently touring Europe with gigs in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria and we’ll be one of his first stops as he brings it home to Oldsmar. The first of two one-hour sets starts at 1 p.m. sharp, and you won’t want to miss it.
The All-Oldsmobile Classic Car Show also gets under way at 12:00 noon on the lawn West of the R.E. Olds Park band shell, so make sure to check out the cars and cast your vote for the coveted “People’s Choice Award.”
Charlie Morris will be followed by another great band reprising their talents at Oldsmar Days, Slick Side. The core of the band is formed by a husband and wife team of career musicians – Billy and Jenna Sandlin who have literally appeared in venues coast to coast from LA to right here in Oldsmar (and on many cruise ships in between).
Billy has appeared with some legendary artists such as Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, Vince Gill and Montgomery/Gentry. Billy can really pick it but plays several instruments as well as doing some vocals.
Jenna’s soulful vocal style has been compared to Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt. Plus their bassist, Jim Knoll, has played with the Steven Stills band (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) and Buffy Sainte Marie. So if you want some top notch music you don’t want to miss Slick Side’s couple hours on the main stage.
As the sun goes down over Old Tampa Bay on Saturday, we’ll turn the energy level up a notch and welcome the Galloway-Kelliher band from Orlando who will warm us up for Commander Cody. Their latest album “Outlaws and Renegades” is best described as Rebel Rock at it’s finest.
You’ll get the full sound of Rebel Rock using guitars, harmonica, keyboard, drums and organ plus some classic vocal harmonies influenced by Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers and a shot or two of Marshall Tucker.
Kidd Galloway is an accomplished musician and bona fide party animal. You will not forget his booming voice or his outstanding harmonica solos. Galloway has performed with legendary musicians including BB King and Sweet Bay James Taylor. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has performed as a stuntman for over sixteen years at Universal Studios Wild West Show. You might also catch him on the drums or with a guitar. Oh, he also has written some of the original music for the band.
Tim Kelliher is the family man to Galloway’s party animal. Tim has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 30 years and living the magic of music all that time. Tim is very versatile and plays lead guitar, bass, harmonica and adds vocals and song writing to his talents. Music is really a family affair as he has often toured with his cousin and best friend Mark Emerick who will later share the stage as Commander Cody’s lead guitar. Tim has been an opener for many years for the likes of Peter Frampton and Edgar Winter as well as on the blues scene with Thin Man Watts, Martha and the Vandellas, Nappy Brown and Bo Diddley. Tim describes his music as being like a train on track, chugging along powerful and steady. We’re sure you will love the sounds and personalities of Galloway and Kelliher.
Revvin’ up the ‘Hot Rod Lincoln’
Look in any rock ‘n roll history book, and you’ll find a chapter on Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen. Back in the late 1960s, Cody brought longhair country/rockabilly music to San Francisco – and the rest of the civilized world – at a time when most of us weren’t ready for it.
Cody busted onto the California country-rock scene during the “Summer of Love” in 1969, playing the Berkeley/San Francisco scene with acts like the Jefferson Airplane, the Doors, Grateful Dead and the Eagles.
The Commander hit the rock ‘n roll Top-10 with Hot Rod Lincoln in 1972, and followed that up with Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (that Cigarette), which made the country charts a year later.
The band’s rendition of Don’t Let Go got national attention in the mid-’70s, as did the perennial Cody classic Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar.
Even then, the band was pretty much relegated to “cult” status ... until Rolling Stone magazine recognized the band’s 1974 LP – Live From Deep in the Heart of Texas – as one of the Top 100 rock ‘n roll albums of all time.
The following summer Cody and the band toured Europe, playing sold-out concerts with Led Zepplin and Peter Tosh. He later recorded an Emmy Award-winning MTV music video, and along the way helped fledgling artists like Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, Norton Buffalo and Nicolette Larsen make a name for themselves.
The 2010 version of the “Airmen” is one the strongest lineups that Cody has ever assembled. Lead guitar player Mark Emerick has shared the stage with such Southern Rock superstars as Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, the Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels, most recently joining Daniels on stage at Tampa’s Ford Amphitheater for an all-star jam at Charlie’s annual benefit concert for the Angelus House.
Drummer/vocalist Steve Barbuto has supplied the backbeat for classic rock artists Edgar Winter and his brother Johnny, and bass player Rick Mullen has toured the world with Van Morrison, Don McLean, Savoy Brown and a host of others.
Commander Cody will play two sets – at 8 p.m. and 9:30 Saturday night – don’t you dare miss ‘em! With a little luck you’ll be on hand to catch and impromptu jam session as Galloway –Kelliher and their whole crew join the Commander’s crew to really rock the house. This is arguably the best rock act in the Bay region all year.
Sunday afternoon ‘Blues on the Bay’
Sunday is another $18 “All You Can Ride “Wristband Day” at the carnival, and a spectacular “All Comers” Classic Car Show in the west lawn.
The music begins at 1 p.m. sharp, and if you want to lay claim to some lawn chair-, picnic- or blanket-space anywhere near the R.E. Olds Park band shell, you’d better get there bright and early!
We open the day with the Steve Arvey Horn Band. This will be a first for us. Be prepared for some Chicago style Windy City blues and rocks with some great saxophone sounds that we seldom get to enjoy. Steve has performed all over Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand during his three decade career.
Few performers can match his showmanship and the joy he brings to his audience because as a performer, while he's on stage he's having so much fun, the folks watching can't help but be effected by the sheer verve of the man. And it is a full dish of fun that we plan on serving up.
We will close Oldsmar Days with Stormbringer billed as Tampa Bay’s premier rock band. This five man group of accomplished musicians will turn up the heat early and often with a mix of rock classics and original music. This will also wrap up our most talent laden Oldsmar Days in history.
Lead singer John Vasalakis has opened and headlined concert bills that have included Aerosmith, Ted Nugent and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Lead Rick Moon has a long rock history and was a founding member of the bands Deep South and Steinhardt-Moon with Robbie Steinhardt of Kansas. He has recorded many tracks at national studios including Motown Records. Keyboard artist Mark Pankratz has toured the country with numerous top 40 bands and has performed with the Drifters and Marvellettes as well as opened for headliners including Donna Summers, Glenn Frey (Eagles) and Joe Walsh. We are proud to welcome Stormbringer to the R.E. Olds stage and one thing’s for sure … they’re guaranteed to knock your socks off and have your feet tapping all the way to our 50th celebration in 2011.
‘Wing Kings’ to be crowned
Of course, the other “headliner” on Sunday afternoon will the 10th Annual Wing Wars chicken wing cook-off. A dozen different Bay Area restaurants will compete for the “Wing King” crowns, which were captured last year by GrillSmith the (Judge’s Award) and McDivot’s Wings & Raw Bar (People’s Choice).
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Other past winners have included Rock’NHard Café, Cody’s Original Roadhouse, the Wing House, Winner’s Grill and Hennessey’s, and it’s always a hard fought – but friendly – competition when the world’s best wing-meisters go head-to-head at Oldsmar Days.
Wings can be “sampled” for just 50-cents apiece, though we suggest that you try at least 10 before casting a vote for your favorite fried fowl.
Getting there ... and more!
Oldsmar Days is organized each year by the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, and held on the shores of Old Tampa Bay at R.E. Olds Park. From Tampa Road or S.R. 580, take Bayview Boulevard south approximately 1 mile to Shore Drive ... and you’ve arrived!
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