By Wes Fell
The only three-day, indoor music festival ever held in this area is coming to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center Friday- Sunday, March 8-10. Event Promoter Wes Fell with Paradise Promotions of the Emerald Coast has contracted with seven awesome classic bands to perform, featuring four national, touring tribute bands and three Northwest Florida local bands to appear on the Florida Power and Light Stage for the Paradise Music Festival.
The Friday lineup opens with Jessie Ritter and Jessica Heit, a country duo with Nashville roots and amazing talent. Jessie Ritter is a rising country singer who will someday win a CMT award. And Jessica Heit is a violin/fiddle player extraordinaire who has worked with many bands locally and in Nashville. Following Jessie and Jessica on Friday night will be one of the best local bands in Northwest Florida – the awesome Paradise Bayou Band who plays Classic Rock, Country, Motown and lively dance tunes.
Friday night’s headline band – back for a repeat performance from 2023 – is the 7 Bridges Eagles tribute band that will make sure you “TAKE IT EASY.” Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed 7 Bridges the Greatest Eagles tribute on Earth. The Saturday lineup features two great national touring tribute bands beginning with Departure from Atlanta, Ga., advising you to “DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’” with an incredible tribute to a favorite—Journey.
Headlining the Saturday lineup will be “STILL STANDING” with a tribute to Elton John. They’ll have you chanting, “SATURDAY, SATURDAY’ over and over again. On Sunday, we open with a fantastic tribute to the Man, the Myth, The Legend – Mr. Jimmy Buffett. Nashville recording artist and Destin resident Chuck Lawson, along with his awesome partner, Cheri Salvetti – the duo SHACK N UP, will take you down memory lane as you are “WAISTING AWAY AGAIN IN MARGARITAVILLE” dressed in your favorite Parrot Head attire. And to keep the beach theme going, the show will close with the best Beach Boys tribute band on the planet known simply as ENDLESS SUMMER. You will be feeling many “GOOD VIBRATIONS” as you are dreaming of “SURFIN’ USA.”
As mentioned, this one-of-a-kind event will take place in air-conditioned comfort at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, with 1000 seats each night, including 700 reserved table seats and 300 general admission seats. There will also be a spectacular light show, food and beverages, as well as vendor booths with band merchandise.
Ticket start at only $35 each night and can be purchased online from Eventbrite by visiting ParadisePromotionsFL.com. This event is sponsored in part by Life Media, Cox Media, Florida Power and Light, Omni Broadcasting, Fast Signs, T-Mobile and ZooGraphix Online—another great Paradise Promotion!