Bryan Jackson Music Festival
FREE FESTIVAL JANUARY 10
The Bryan Jackson Music Festival returns for a second year this January 10 at Fort Pierce beachside bar, Bottom’s Up. It’s impossible to forget the horrible tragedy that took the life of this talented 26-year-musician. More than a year has passed since that fateful October morning in 2013, when a drunk driver, traveling the wrong direction on I-95, smashed head on into the Ford Explorer carrying Jackson and two other members of his upstart indie rock band Ghost Cast. Jackson would pass after a tractor trailer smashed into the Explorer later on, ejecting him from the vehicle. This immeasurable tragedy caused Treasure Coast’s close-knit musical community to unite, and with the help of the surviving members of Ghost Cat, and Fort Pierce folk-rock group Gravel King’s lead singer Zack Jones, a benefit show for Jackson and his family was announced.
For the second iteration, Jones has staged a show that will play tribute to Jackson, but will also shine a much needed spotlight on the burgeoning music scene that encompasses the Treasure Coast. “It’s going to be much more of a celebration than last year,” explained Jones to Purehoney. All but two (Sweet Bronco and Wake Up) of the scheduled 20 plus bands are from the area.
Jones hopes to create a model for other local bars in the area to follow too. ”I’ve implemented a few very simple things that bar owners should note; I’ve set up a really good stage, parking close to the stage, that’s convenient for bands to set up their gear, and created ample space for them to sell their merch.“
The vision has been accomplished with excellent support from Bottom’s Up and it’s ample back patio area, where he has set up the larger of the two festival stages. The lineup is truly eclectic, ranging from the heavy riffs of the Prescription, to punk revivalist Church and State, and closing sets from his band Gravel Kings and, of course, Ghost Cat. With a 30 minute time limit, Jones promises, if you don’t like the type of music the current band is playing, you won’t have to wait long until a completely different group will take the stage.
Much more than music to offer, Jones tells us there will be over 30 artisans displaying and selling their artwork, a Kids Corner and mobile bar set up outside. Half the proceeds raised will go to benefit Read of St. Lucie County, a local charity chosen by the members of Ghost Cat. Jackson was an ardent fan of local music, and would be ecstatic at such a massive show set up in his honor. Bryan Jackson Music Festival: January 10 at Fort Pierce beachside bar, Bottom’s Up.
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STAGE 1:
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12:30pm – Minus Turmoil
1:30pm – Cody and The Qualified
2:30pm – The Inverted
3:30pm – The Alleys
4:30pm – wake up
5:30pm – Break The Hero
6:30pm – The Prescription
7:30ppm – The Sweet Escape
8:30pm – Gravel Kings
9:30pm – Ghost Cat
10:30pm – StrangeWave.
STAGE 2:
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12:00pm – Cerveza
1:00pm – Hidden Tree Houses
2:00pm – Church Girls
3:00pm – Spicoli
4:00pm – OSF
5:00pm – Church and State
6:00pm – Flying Sharks
7:00pm – The Pub Reckers
8:00pm – Down Coyote
9:00pm – In Motion
10:00pm – Sweet Bronco
~ Alex Rendon
