The set list is out for Tampa Bay Margarita Festival 2016 Featuring Blues Traveler and it includes fantastic local favorites and heavy-hitters!  Emceed by DJ Fresh, this year's fourth annual Margarita Festival opens Saturday at Noon at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and closes after the final song with a huge fireworks display set to light up the night! Scheduled to appear are:

  • 2:15pm - Tattered Saints 
  • 3:30pm - Gritt
  • 4:45pm - Keko & Mo Gravy 
  • 6:00pm - Southern Train 
  • 7:45pm - Mighty Mongo 
  • 9:30pm - Blues Traveler 
  • 10:55pm - Fireworks Show (or last song) 

Tattered Saints a local Rock and Roll Band includes members Al Torchia on Vocals and Guitar, with Tyler Medley - Guitar, Ryan Swilley - Drums, Kit Krumbholtz - Guitar and Mike Anthony on Bass Guitar. A hometown band they play three -guitar harmonies with a pulsing rhythm section to Torchia's  sexy rasp delivering an American Rock & Roll vibe. Influenced by Sprinsteen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Band and Gaslight Anthem Tattered Saints will open the festivities at 2:15 

Followed by my personal favorite band Gritt, originated by my nephew Ricky Cagno. Beginning as Grit in high school,  Cagno pulled together talent from his fellow Plant High School classmates and U of F friends playing gigs in both Tampa and Gainesville.  When Ricky went off to college the name changed to Gainesville Grit. The band caught on quickly and the boys were on their way. As time passed and as bands do, Gainesville Grit evolved into what we know today as, the band Gritt.  Following recording sessions at Mussel Shoals, Ricky left to finish school and pursue another opportunity, while band members Gytis Garsys - Vocals and Keyboards, Jonathon Franklin - Bass Guitar,  Ian Heausler - Lead Guitar and Max Rowe - Drums continued to uphold the spirit of rock and roll with their unique brand of psychedelic southern garage rock. Gritt takes the stage at the Margarita Festival at 3:30, look for us, we will be rocking out to songs like "Muzzle For Your Cousin" in our vintage 'Gainesville Grit' hats as we enjoy this mesmerizing band.

 

Keko and Mo Gravy, another local favorite, is perfect for the festival! Keko's discography, available on ITunes, includes Pour Me One More Margarita produced by Daniel B. Marshall. Recorded in Nashville, tracks include:

  1. Pour Me One More Margarita
  2. A Different Way to Fight
  3. Half Full Half Empty
  4. Island in My Mind
  5. Some Things in Life 

Many of us know. love and have experienced lead vocal/acoustic guitar singer/songwriter's Keith Koehler's amazing talent and know him for his huge heart! When PHS cheerleader Jackie Faircloth suffered brain trauma as the result of a hit and run accident, Keith and Daniel paired up once again, this time with Aaron Chmielewski, adding Keith's song Hanging On A Prayer to his latest album, Things That Matter. Recorded with the band from Little Big Town Keith donated 200-300 CD's for donation in support of Jackie's family. Enjoy this acoustic video about Jackie who remains on a respirator as she continues to fight her way back.

Southern Train , a southern rock band formed in 2011, hit the Tampa music scene with a fresh, new and eclectic set list based on influences from Willie Nelson, The Black Crowes, Dwight Yoakam and the Rolling Stones.  Unique and danceable, their sound leans toward modern country and pop with a southern twist.  In December 2014, Southern Train released their first EP titled, Platt Street Bridge. With more than 4000+ festival and event appearances you can expect perfection as this band barrels down the stage electrifying the early evening hours at the Margarita Festival with their high powered covers and original songs.

At 7:45 Mighty Mongo slams onto the stage with their high-energy 90's pop-rock songs, Ska and Punk sounds. Band Members Alex Card, Andrew Rotunno, Jon Tucker, Lance Cox, and Lindsay Vitola consistently put the "F' in Fest and the 'P' in party as they tour. We are excited to see them on the set-list and look forward to possibly hearing tunes from their latest project, Grand Central. a newly formed project from the makers of Mighty Mongo! Find their music on Spotify and through their website. 
 

Headlining at the fourth annual  Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, heavy-hitter Blues Traveler's John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Tad Kinchla, Brendan Hill and Ben Wilson take the Weshore Pizza stage at 9:30 pm as part of their Blow Up The Moon Tour. Excited to see this versatile band perform we are hoping for a few surprises. Blow Up The Moon is a unique album for Blue's Travleler; never into collaboration it was rare for them to have an outside artist perform or write with them. As a result of their decision to bring in collaborators the endeavor quickly became an exciting production featuring artists representing country, pop, reggae and hip-hop. Who knows what might happen Saturday night! Collaborators on the EP include Thompson Square, Plain White T’s, 3OH!3, Dirty Heads and Rome Ramirez (Sublime), Hanson, Jewel, Secondhand Serenade, JC Chasez (*NSYNC), Bowling for Soup, New Hollow and Thomas Ian Nicholas. We look forward to hope hearing favorites from their six-time platinum, award-winning, breakthrough album Four. Enjoy Blues Traveler with 3OH!3 Hurricane from Blow Up The Moon:
 

The Margarita Festival grows bigger and better each year; with 12,00 people expected to attend it has become a premier event in Tampa Bay.  We hope you enjoyed learning about the heavy-hitter bands set to appear this year in Set-List for Margarita Festival Includes Heavy-Hitters.  If you would like to learn more about the Margarita Festival, the Tequila Tasting, vendors and more read:

Want to win tickets?  Follow this link or click the photo, simply enter your phone number for a chance to win: Win Tickets to Margarita Festival 2016 with Blues Traveler


 

    See you at the festival!  Look for our photographers, it's always free to download your photos for 813area!