When Stampede Series South launched at Ferg’s Live, Tampa Bay gained a brand new venue to get their weekly country music fix! Every Thursday night, our “Stage in the Sky” welcomes talented Country artists from Tampa and beyond, to perform their original music, as well as a few covers, and entertain music-lovers of all ages with a free show under the stars.
So, slide on your boots, put on your cowboy hat, and come on out to Ferg’s Live on any given Thursday night for a free, all-ages, open air country concert with some of Tampa Bay’s biggest stars! (Note: Start times vary on nights there is an event scheduled at Amalie Arena. )
April 7th– 8PM START – John Rhey Band
April 14th – 8PM START – Clemons Road
April 21st – 8PM START – Greg Warren Band
April 28th – 8PM START – Diamond Dixie
April 7th – 8PM START
John Rhey Band: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRheyMusic
Rising from the Central Florida music scene, 24 year old Central Florida native, John Rhey, continues to make his mark on the Central Florida music scene. Born and raised in rural central Florida, Rhey found his southern roots young in life. His mother being raised in Alabama, Rhey found himself naturally identifying with country music at an early age. Writing songs as a young child, and playing piano and guitar for fun as a kid has now turned into something much bigger for John Rhey.
Formed at Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, FL; The John Rhey Band went from playing local bars to winning the prestigious 2013 United Way Battle of the Bands, which lead to them opening for southern rockers, The Outlaws. Since that day in 2013, Rhey opened for American Idol contestant and Nashville recording artist Josh Gracing, Bucky Covington, National Act Brothers Osborne and also played live on the air several times at 99.5 WQYK Tampa, Talk 1430/Talk 96.7 Lakeland and numerous other local stations. He has continued to play all over Central Florida including the Strawberry Festival, Blue Martini, Whiskey Joe’s, Boots N Buckles, Music Ranch, Uncle Mikes, Pig Fest barbecue competition, Weddings, the Detroit Tigers Spring BBQ 2014 and 2015, and the 2015 Florida State Fair just to name a few.
With his musical background and years of experience, John Rhey brings a new sound to country music that keeps audiences on their feet. His songs continue to draw people in as they are simply crafted from everyday life experiences. In early July 2015 John Rhey released his first debut single “College Girl” to ITunes. The lyric video for the song blew up on Facebook with almost 20,000 views in just over a week. Many alumni and students from the local college in Lakeland Florida (Rhey’s hometown) have been talking about the song. He is continuing to put out music as well as build a following on all markets. Rhey’s vocals and guitar stay true to the country sound; while his high energy, catchy lyrics, and unique style makes every concert a memorable experience that continue to grow his fan base and keeps new fans begging for more from Rhey. Rhey is a young man with a deep faith with a fun youthful spirit. Rhey hopes to continue to use his platform to set a good example for the young men and woman that look up to him as one of country’s rising stars!
April 14th – 8PM START
Clemons Road: https://www.facebook.com/clemonsroad
Florida is a place where the water meets the woods. A place that has as many farms as it does beaches. A place where children are raised on Hank Williams Jr. and Bob Marley. It is in this diverse state that Clemons Road calls their home. Blending Country music with an island feel or vice versa, the band always starts a party as soon as the first note rings! Pulling their influences from Sublime to Alan Jackson, Dave Matthews to Jimmy Buffet, or Lynyrd Skynyrd to Zac Brown Band, Clemons Road can keep all audiences heads bobbing and feet moving.
When Grammy award winning music producer Cliff brown (lead vocals/guitar) started making phone calls to start the band he didn’t pull any punches. “I had been writing songs and playing music for other bands and artists and this time I just wanted to do what I want to do. Play the music that me and my friends loved playing and not limit ourselves to any barriers”, Cliff explains. The first person he called was lifelong best friend and bandmate Eric Long (bass/vocals). Eric and Cliff have traveled the country playing together in various bands such as “Soulness” and “The Cliff Brown Band”. Cliff also landed Jason Baker (fiddle/piano/vocals). Jason has played professionally with many western swing and bluegrass acts nationally. Through connections with the local bluegrass scene, the band was introduced to Gavin Baulac (banjo) a bluegrass/progressive picker that can hang with the best of them. Josh High (electric guitar) has been playing with members of the group for over ten years and gives the band their full sound. Solidifying their huge sound is Chris Williams (drums). Chris grew up with the boys, right on the corner of Clemons Road, and has played in many bands throughout Florida.
The musical result is much like the place where they live. Putting all of their influences into a blender to make a concoction that everyone can drink! Cliff puts it this way, “We want to be a band that crosses cultures and breaks age barriers. We want to make people feel good and give them songs to use for the soundtrack of their lives!”
April 21st – 8PM START
Greg Warren Band: http://www.facebook.com/gregwarrenband
Greg Warren Band is a modern country band based out of Orlando Florida. Formed in 2011, their very first show was headlining the House of Blues in Orlando with support from Jared Blake (The Voice). The band has since gone on to support national acts Love and Theft, Matt Stillwell, and a sold out show at the HoB with Michael Ray as well as playing several country music festivals.
Greg Warren Band can be summed up in three words; songwriting, musicianship, and passion. They have quickly built a strong loyal following with their powerful and memorable stage performance. Combining a rock influence into country songwriting producing very melodic songs with an edge.
In November of 2012, GWB released their first indie self titled CD with 8 all original tracks including the first single “City Girl”. GWB is looking forward to sharing the stage in 2013 with some of country music biggest acts and securing their first major record deal.
APRIL 28th – 8PM START
Diamond Dixie: http://www.diamonddixie.com/
“Whether they are rocking the stage at the legendary Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge in Nashville or battling waves while surfing off the coast of Florida, Gabriela and Bianca LeDuc of Diamond Dixie work and play with a contagious zest for life. The dynamic country sister-duo from Orlando has been entertaining crowds throughout the southeast, with performances in Tampa, Daytona, Miami and the US Virgin Islands! The 17-year-old Gabriela, describing herself as spontaneous but somewhat shy, got her first taste of performing when she was in fourth grade. When she isn’t singing, dancing, or playing guitar or mandolin, she is jumping out of bed before dawn for her daily run or venturing to the beach with one of her surfboards. Bianca, 15-years-old, is the free-spirited and adventurous one. Catch her on a day when she isn’t working on music and you will probably find her with a fishing pole in her hands, hiking, surfing, or snorkeling. According to Gabriela, Bianca is also a big fan of waking her sister up from a deep sleep to take selfies for Snapchat!”
Most recently the girls have been very busy with local performances that have included opening for Little Texas, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Johnny Bullford, Lenny Cooper and Demon Jones to name a few.
