The City of Gadsden is ready to help you get in the summer mood with its Parrothead Party at The AMP on May 11.
A taste of the Florida Keys is coming to Gadsden with the official Jimmy Buffett tribute band, A1A. Parrotheads will also enjoy performances from Keith Burns and Erica Sunshine Lee.
“There have been very few people with more musical success over the past 50 years than the late Jimmy Buffett, and we wanted to bring some of his music’s energy to Gadsden,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “We’ve been investing heavily in our historic amphitheater, The AMP, and this Parrothead Party is a great way to kick off summer in North Alabama.”
A1A became the official Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show after winning a Jimmy Buffett Sound-Alike Contest for Margaritaville Records in 1992. The band collaborated with Buffett on several projects and has been influential in the International Parrot Head Club.
A1A has performed its tribute show nationwide, drawing large crowds of Buffett fans and music lovers. The band’s energy, musicianship, originality and excitement helped it remain the most widely recognized Jimmy Buffett tribute show.
Keith Burns (pictured at right) is a founding member of the award-winning trio Trick Pony and half of the 2010 independent Artists of the Year, Burns & Poe. In addition to helping write Trick Pony’s popular single “Pour Me,” Burns’ songwriting abilities have landed him on the charts numerous times, with three Top 10 hits and Top 40 hits for some of country music’s top names, such as Hootie and the Blowfish and Joe Diffie.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Erica Sunshine Lee draws musical inspiration from multiple genres ranging from tropical rock to pop and outlaw country. Her tropical tunes have landed her three Trop Rock Female Vocalist of the Year awards and four Trop Rock Music Video of the Year awards.
The Parrothead Party gates open at 5 p.m. on May 11 with food options and numerous activities, including a fins-up photo booth and a “Parrothead Elvis Encounter.” Tanteo Tequila Island Drinks will be available, and attendees are invited to dress in their “Buffett Best” to compete for cash prizes.
Tickets went on sale Thursday, Feb. 22, at cityofgadsden.com, including limited VIP packages, tickets to the Parrothead tier and general admission.
Submitted by Michael Rodgers/The City of Gadsden.