Ready for a sun-soaked day of country music that won't cost you a dime? The Jax Beach Country Fest returns to the Seawalk Pavilion on Saturday, June 14th, bringing an impressive lineup of rising stars from Nashville, as well as talented local performers.

After drawing nearly 7,000 fans to its inaugural event last year, this free festival has quickly established itself as a must-attend summer concert. The 2025 lineup features The Voice Season 22 Winner Bryce Leatherwood, whose powerful traditional country sound and newly-released EP are generating serious buzz in Nashville. You'll also catch John Morgan, who's currently riding high with his #1 hit collaboration with Jason Aldean, "Friends Like That." Tigirlily Gold rounds out the national acts as headliner, bringing their energetic performance style to the beach stage. Local talents Darryl Rae, Emily Mikus, and The Voice alum Katie O complete the diverse lineup.

What makes Jax Beach Country Fest special is the opportunity to see tomorrow's country music headliners in an intimate beach setting before they're selling out arenas. As 99.9 Gator Country Program Director Brian Jordan mentioned, "This is the last time you're probably going to see John Morgan for free." The festival area will feature food trucks, vendor booths, and even a mechanical bull for those feeling adventurous.

Gates open at 2pm with music starting at 3pm. The event follows clear bag policies (similar to Jaguars games), and while coolers aren't permitted, attendees can bring one sealed water bottle per person. Public parking is available, though biking or rideshare is recommended. Don't miss what's quickly becoming Jacksonville Beach's signature summer music event – completely free and open to all country music fans!

The stars align this month as Jacksonville welcomes an extraordinary lineup of musical legends, and I've secured exclusive conversations with two icons who changed the sound of popular music.

First, I share a comprehensive guide to June's concert calendar—from Styx and Kevin Cronin (former lead singer of REO Speedwagon) to Luke Bryan and Avril Lavigne—offering a chronological roadmap to this month's must-see performances across Jacksonville's premier venues. Whether you're looking for country, rock, or nostalgic hits, this summer promises unforgettable live music experiences.

But the heart of this episode features my deeply personal conversation with Ron Dante—the voice behind The Archies' "Sugar Sugar," a song that literally changed my life, and set me on my path in music and radio. Ron shares incredible "behind-the-song" stories about recording this iconic hit (including how Andy Kim strummed with a matchbook when his pick broke!) and reveals that both Betty and Veronica's voices were actually sung by just one talented woman. Now touring as lead vocalist for The Turtles on the Happy Together Tour, Ron's musical journey comes full circle as he performs alongside other 60s legends like Little Anthony and Jay and the Americans.

I also speak with Tommy Heath (better known as Tommy Tutone), who discusses his upcoming album and offers refreshing wisdom about his "one-hit wonder" status. Tommy brings his signature hit and new material to the Florida Theater as part of the Totally 80s Tour with Big Country, Gene Loves Jezebel, and Bow Wow Wow.

Don't miss these legendary performers as they bring their timeless music to Jacksonville! Visit floridatheater.com for tickets and information, and join me next episode when we preview the Jax Beach Country Fest.

Ready to dive into Jacksonville's red-hot entertainment scene? Join host Amadeus as he unveils the most anticipated shows hitting Northeast Florida's premier venues.

The podcast kicks off with a comprehensive rundown of upcoming performances across Jacksonville's iconic venues. From Brit Floyd and Frankie Valli at the Florida Theater to Styx and Old Dominion at Daily's Place, music lovers of all genres will find something to mark on their calendars. The spotlight shines brightest on the St. Augustine Amphitheater's "I Want My 80's Tour" featuring Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and John Cafferty coming May 29th.

The heart of this episode features an engaging conversation with Wang Chung's Nick Feldman, who shares fascinating insights into the band's evolution as live performers. "I think we're like a fine wine," Feldman reflects, "I think we've hopefully matured well with age." He discusses the gratification of connecting with audiences spanning generations and even reveals his current musical obsession with genre-defying artist Lewis Cole – a recommendation worth checking out for anyone seeking fresh sounds.

Amadeus then shifts focus to Jacksonville's theatrical treasures with a spotlight on the Alhambra Theater & Dining, recently crowned the nation's best dinner theater by USA Today. Local actor Gary Webber discusses his role as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" (running through June 22nd) and eloquently captures why theater remains such a meaningful creative outlet: "Some people play golf, some people hunt or fish. I do theater and it's a great release."

Whether you're planning your concert calendar or looking to experience award-winning local theater, this episode delivers the essential guide to Jacksonville's most exciting entertainment offerings. Subscribe now to ensure you never miss an update on the shows and performances making Jacksonville a must-visit destination for entertainment enthusiasts!