A vibrant celebration of great music, good eats, and rich patriotic and community traditions, Red White and Brews is a popular holiday festivity that marks its grand return this year. “Hernando County’s Independence Day celebration returns to Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill, from 5-10:30 pm on Saturday, July 1, with live music, food and beverage vendors including beer and wine, kids play area, and Hernando County’s ONLY free fireworks show at dark,” said Atlanta McDonald, account executive at Hits 106, a premiere event sponsor.
This year’s Red, White, and Brews event is presented by HITS106, Lowman Law Firm, Hernando County Parks and Recreation, and Great Bay Distributors and promises a full schedule of star-studded entertainment. Gates will open at 5 pm, music starts at 5:30 pm, and fireworks will be displayed at 9:15 pm.
The gates open at five with music from Tampa Bay’s favorite party band Jam Jones, with American Idol finalist Curtis Gray, The Bearded Brothers take the stage at 7:30, followed by an amazing fireworks show,” said McDonald. “Then Homegrown, The Zac Brown Experience makes their Nature Coast debut after playing sold-out shows across the southeast!”
Admission is free at Red, White, and Brews, with plenty of adjacent parking for $10.
In addition, a portion of the parking fee and all proceeds from beer and wine sales will benefit Operation HeartFELT, a local charity that feeds Hernando County kids in need via backpacks of food sent home during weekends and holiday breaks.
“Part of the parking goes to Operation HeartFELT, plus the proceeds of the beer sales will go to us,” said Pattie Stepbach, executive director of Operation HeartFELT. “Operation HeartFELT is increasing in the numbers of children we serve, and our food costs are rising. One hundred percent of the proceeds we receive from this event will go to provide nutritious meals to our food-insecure children in Hernando County. Come out for a great time and help us continue to “feed empty little tummies.”
Operation HeartFELT is filling more and more little tummies each day. “It is baffling to me that we started in 2009 with six families and nine children. We are now serving about 367 families and 800-850 children,” Stepbach said. “There are times our numbers are higher.”
American Idol finalist Curtis Gray is excited to be a featured performer at this year’s Red, White, and Brews. Curtis Gray graduated from Spaulding High School in 2001, then moved to Florida to pursue his dreams of being an entertainer and joined a 12-piece funk band called Timejam. After making his appearance on the hit TV show American Idol, Curtis jumped on the stage with “Curtis and The Away” and recorded his first album with Resort Recordings. Currently, Curtis has been with his band Jam Jones, based out of Tampa, for the past six years, where they perform his original music and cover songs from other bands with a “Jam Jones twist.” They perform at music festivals and concerts all over the state of Florida for Hits 106 and agent bookings. His energy and soulful “feel good” vocals define him as a successful artist, musician, and songwriter.
“This particular event brings a little more excitement than most performances I’m hired to play,” he said. “Not only do I get to celebrate our independence with the community, but I get to celebrate it close to home with friends and family. These are the types of performances that make it all worth it for me.”
Jam Jones performs energetic funk, rock, and soul, as well as love songs, with no limits in style or genre. The band consists of Curtis Gray, Keyboard/Vocals; Adam Landry, Bass/Vocals and member of the Tampa Bay Music Hall of Fame; Rick Morgan, Guitar/Vocals (Soul Circus Cowboys – Angie Rey – Secret Service); Paul Cazares, Lead Guitar; and Kenneth Eskridge, Drums and Retired U.S. Army Drummer for the First Calvary.
“It means everything to me/us to perform at Red, White, and Brews,” said Landry. “I love it so much I carry it (patriotism) with me every day. This will be my favorite concert of the year, hands down.”
“Thanks to our biggest fans, Hits 106FM,” he continued. “My wife is a Navy veteran. Most of my family are veterans. Our drummer is a retired US Army Drummer. His wife is still active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.”
New Port Richey’s Bearded Brothers mixes Southern Rock roots with a vibrant, cross-genre style. Band members are Thomas Giamo, Lead Vocals/Guitar; Billy Isner, Lead Guitar/ Vocals; Ghaith Khder, Drums; Jason Allen, Lead Guitar/ Vocals; and Tre Dicci, Bass/ Vocals.
“We are super excited to celebrate America’s Birthday with our hometown family and friends this weekend,” said Thomas Giamo, The Bearded Brothers. “It means the world to us that we get to do what we love and play music all over. But there is nothing better than a hometown crowd. We look forward to seeing everyone!”
Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Experience is also excited about its upcoming appearance at Red, White, and Brews. Members are Thomas Giamo, Jason Allen, Tre Dicci, Leify Green, Billy Isner, and Ghaith Khder. “As a Tampa Bay-based band that plays all over the Southeast, we can’t tell you how “at home” we feel to be playing America’s birthday for our hometown crowd!” said Jason Allen, lead guitarist. “Nothing better!”
For more information about the 2023 Red, White, and Brews, visit https://bit.ly/4327RR6
