Festival And Music Awards
Tropical rock singer/songwriter Don Middlebrook’s 2015 release, “Songs from Talespin Bay,” has been nominated by the Trop Rock Music Association for Album of the Year. In addition, a song from the album, “The Legend of Sunny Jim,” has been nominated for Song of the Year.
The awards will be announced and distributed on November 5th in Key West, Florida at the association’s annual Trop Rock music festival — Meeting of the Minds. Don and his band of Pearl Divers have been asked to perform as the headlining band at the Street Festival on November 6th in downtown Key West. This is a street closure festival with over 5000 in attendance.
Tuesday, November 3, 12:00 – 4:00 pm Pincher’s Crab Shack – Key West, FL
Middlebrook’s latest album “Songs from Talespin Bay” features:
21 songs, 25 contributing artists – including The Motor City Horns (Bob Seger’s horn section); Greg “Fingers” Taylor, Jimmy Buffett’s harmonica player for twenty-four years; Donny Brown, the Verve Pipe’s drummer; and Trop Rock artist “Sunny Jim” White.
World-renowned marine-life artist, Wyland, contributed the cover photo art. www.wyland.com
Tuesday, November 3, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Trop Rockin’ Magazine Party
Island Dogs Bar – Key West, FL
Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Conch Republic Seafood Co. – Key West, FL
Friday, November 6, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Meeting of the Minds, Duval St. Street Fest
Key West, FL
FULL 6-piece BAND
Friday, November 6, 7:00 pm
Songwriter’s Island Showcase
Island Dogs Bar – Key West, FL
Saturday, November 7, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Conch Republic Seafood Co. – Key West, FL
“Meet the Band”
Tuesday, November 10, 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Pincher’s Crab Shack – Key West, FL
More info at: www.donmiddlebrook.net
Short Bio:
Don Middlebroook is considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of Trop
Rock music. For more than twenty-five years, he has blazed a trail of over 170 tour
dates per year all across the United States. Middlebrook’s musical journey has taken
him from Michigan to Key West, and from Ocean City, MD to Seattle, WA.
With over 16 albums to his credit and a four-year extensive tour with Greg ‘Fingers’
Taylor, Jimmy Buffett’s harmonica player of twenty-six years, Don Middlebrook is a
name that is well recognized in the Trop Rock world.
His album “Beach Bar Serenade” features the song “Goodbye Captain Tony” which
has been dubbed the theme song for the annual Captain Tony Days in Key West, FL.
“The Key West Connection,” Don’s 2014 album, raises money for the Key West High
School Band & Choir. It was co-written with Lorian Hemingway, granddaughter of author Ernest Hemingway. The first song on the album features the kids in the Key West
H.S. Band.
Don and the band have been privileged to share the stage with all time greats like Reba
McIntyre, The Doobie Brothers, Hall and Oats, Jefferson Starship, Meatloaf, and
Lynyrd Skynyrd.
This year he’s proud to bring his full six piece band to the “Meeting of the Minds”
Duval Street Fest in Key West!
Quotes:
“Don Middlebrook, you’re one of my favorite singer/songwriters!! I was listening to your
CD on the way to work today. I have the song “Jimmy Buffett’s TV Guide” looping in my
head now!” – Bobbi S., Greenfield, OH
“Just got the new CD. Play it daily, it makes my bad day GOOD. Love the CD, Don.
As usual, great music.” – Brenda H., Cullman, AL
What made you decide to make music a full time career? I studied music at Michigan
State University. I was the third string quarterback on the football team and got my butt
kicked frequently. I basically learned to play guitar trying to avoid football practice. A
year later I joined the MSU Jazz Band. I was first chair (and only chair) guitar. I was
proudly the first person to play the guitar in the MSU Jazz Band, and they have had that
position from then on. I started writing songs at the age of 20 and have been Trop
Rockin’ ever since.
What do you enjoy most about performing? And what do you like least?
The thing I enjoy most about performing is the people. The thing I like least is getting
rained out of an outdoor venue. When I’m ready to play — I love to play.
In your music career what are you most proud of? In my music career I’m most proud
of the connections made with people. I love my old friends that come to see me play all
over the country, but I love watching them make friends at my gigs with my new
friends. Music brings people together, and watching people find each other at a gig is
a joy.
Who would you like to record a duet with? Dan Fogelberg, I adore his songwriting talent. One of my favorites is “Stars.” Unfortunately, we lost him.
If you had an opportunity to headline a world tour, who would you choose to open for you and why? James Taylor. I’ve never met him, and would love to.
Any new projects in the works? Yes, “Guitar Island” 2016
What would you like to accomplish this year? Safe travels, new songs, keeping old
friends, making a few new ones.
What do you do in your down time? What down time? Fortunately, I enjoy my work so
much I don’t usually plan on down time. If I get a break, I take in a Tiger baseball
game. This year it’s a painful hobby.
What’s your message to the audience? The gig is not about me. It’s about the audience.
I try to include them as much as possible, so they can take away a great personal
experience. I try to make memories for my listeners.
Life is short. Hug the ones you love. Be safe on your adventures.
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