A few months in the past, somebody posed this query on reddit.com/florida: “Why is Florida’s music business so weak?” In case you missed the purpose, they continued, “I don’t suppose Florida has a really consolidated music scene. It nearly seems like people listed here are principally thrilled by novelty and high-energy eccentricity.”
Effectively, ouch.
We might not be Nashville or LA, however South Florida has a thriving music scene. Iconic musicians reportedly dwelling right here at the least part-time embody Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, PitBull (Mr. 305), Cher, Rick Ross, Barry Gibb, Pharrell Williams and Diddy.
A number of the most well-known albums and songs have connections to studios right here: James Brown’s “I Obtained You (I Really feel Good),” Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band,” John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane,” the Bee Gee’s “Saturday Night time Fever” (one groove was sparked by the sound of tires going over the causeway), Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Road Survivors,” The Allman Brother’s “Eat a Peach,” Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla and Different Assorted Love Songs,” Eric Clapton’s “461 Ocean Blvd.” and AC/DC’s “Freeway to Hell.”
Lots of the recordings had been executed at Standards Recording Studios, whose Wikipedia web page lists practically 120 well-known musicians who’ve recorded right here.
There’s a rising variety of music festivals: Rolling Loud, Tortuga, Okeechobee Music Pageant, SunFest and Extremely. There are many venues for giant enviornment and stadium acts. There’s a historical past of storied occasions—did Jim Morrison actually do that at Dinner Key Auditorium?
For many people, although, the day-to-day pleasure goes to a bar or restaurant and seeing dwell bands. I can stroll into Galuppi’s in Pompano Seashore, order a beer and listen to a band that transports me again to my youth.
Melanie Geronemus Smit could also be Way of life’s artistic director by day, however she’s an avid band fanatic at evening and on weekends. She deserves credit score for conceptualizing this concern’s cowl package deal, ably assisted by freelance author Michelle Solomon.
South Florida has a lot uncelebrated and accessible expertise, Mel says. On any given evening, you’ll be able to see any style you want. “Not everybody can spend a thousand {dollars} on a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Pricing is insane.”
Going to see musicians carry out fills a void in our fashionable lives.
“Every part is digital now, so there’s typically no precise connection between the musicians and their followers and audiences,” Mel says. “It’s an essential a part of our tradition to attach with music and fill our lives with music and it’s essential to attach with the individuals who make the music. Why not rejoice South Florida expertise with folks doing what they love most and have the expertise for?”
Certainly. Take that, Reddit.
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