Lauren Elise - photo by Mike Carroll
Lauren Elise, Nalani Quintello to compete April 7 at Spirit of the Suwannee for a chance to perform at 2012 Suwannee River Jam
SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – The last 2012 Suwannee River Jam Audition was held at Whisky River in Jacksonville Wednesday, April 4, producing two preliminary winners, Christina Adams and Lauren Elise. Lauren Elise will compete with about two dozen other preliminary winners this Saturday night, April 7, for a chance to play at the Suwannee River Jam at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Fla!
Christina Adams, although a winner, dropped out of the competition the next day due to another commitment.
The band Homegrown, of Jacksonville, was chosen to play at the Jam without further competition.
“Home Grown” is a new band in Jacksonville made up of some of Jacksonville’s most seasoned musicians who say they wanted to bring something to Jacksonville that it has never had – a modern country band that will keep the house rockin’ all night long. The band’s philosophy: We were all born. We will all die. We’re just enjoying the ride. Band members include Scott Robbins – lead vocals/guitar; Paul Bloom – secondary percussionist; Chip Randall – lead guitar/ vocals; Shawn Abrams – lead guitar and Dan Rocha lead bass
Now, they’ve taken it a step further by winning a spot on the Suwannee River Jam stage at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak May 2-5. This band will play on the 1st Street Music & Sound Company/Budweiser Party Zone Stage at the amphitheatre.
Also chosen this week as a wild card competitor is Nalani Quintello of Orange Park. Nalani, 17, is a frequent competitor in various musical competitions. She’s won competitions at the Clay County Fair and Jacksonville’s Got Talent, the 41st annual Spirit of America Festival’s Spirit Idol competition in Alabama at age 12 and the Oz Idol competition in 2008. In 2008 she represented a Palatka radio station at the SOSMP in the state competition where Johnny Bulford won the state contest and went on to win the regional and national, taking home $100,000 in cold cash and the national title of Best New Act in Country Music that year! In 2011 Nalani again competed at the statewide Texaco Country Showdown at the SOSMP.
Lauren Elise is a multi-award winning singer with national and state titles, including vocalist and entertainer of the year in new country, traditional country and gospel. A highlight for Lauren was to perform at CMA FEST 2010 and 2011. In 2011 she and her band at the time, State of Mind, played at the Suwannee River Jam. Lauren has also developed a love for acting over the years and has appeared in many Broadway Junior productions, including “Beauty and the Beast” as “Belle,” “Into the Woods” as “Cinderella” and her personal favorite, “Sarah,” in “Guys n Dolls.”
The final competition April 7 at the SOSMP will be among about two dozen artists who also competed and won the right to be in the final Suwannee River Jam auditions. At least three winners will be chosen April 7 will perform during the Suwannee River Jam on the 1st Street Music & Sound Company/Budweiser Party Zone Stage at the amphitheatre.
Finalists from five other recent Suwannee River Jam auditions will be among those competing April 7. They are Colby Craig, Crystal Black, Steffanie Renae, Lynda Burris, Willow Veda, Lauren Ogburn, Maci McDuffie, Clay Brooker, Steven Flowers, John Markham, Rion Paige, Kevin Swenszkowski and Brittney Lawrence.
Bands previously chosen at preliminary events to perform at the Jam are The Stonebranch Band featuring Sondra Hunt, Terry Cole and the Honkytonk Hitmen and State of Mind.
Doors open April 7 to the Music Hall at 5 p.m. with competition beginning at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge. Be there early as a large crowd is expected to attend.
As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will be open and have a wide variety of food and drinks available at regular prices.
For more information about the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 2012 Suwannee River Jam, Wanee, Purple Hatters Ball or to buy tickets or book accommodations for any of these events or festivals, you may call 386-364-1683, email spirit@musicliveshere.com or go to www.musicliveshere.com.
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is located at 3076 95th Drive 4.5 miles north of Live Oak, Fl off US 129 at the famous Suwannee River. The park is 4.5 miles south of Interstate 75 and 4.5 miles north of Interstate 10 off US 129. Keep an eye out for the SOSMP sign and white painted board fence!