Music, music and more music

Wow, if you are a music lover, the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast is the place to be. The offerings in 2010 will fit any taste for any genre. Blues, rock, gospel, country, bluegrass, and everything in between, we have it all.

One of the most exciting new events of 2010 is The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival May 14-16. This inaugural large-scale festival will actually take place on the Gulf Shores Public Beach. There will be four stages with the two main stages on the beach. The people on the stages for this event are the big news. With 60-plus artists, someone is bound to catch your ear.

One of my favorites, Alison Krauss and Union Station, is on the list. Also, The Black Crowes, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Trey Anastasio and TAB, Zac Brown Band, John Legend, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the list goes on and on. A full listing of the announced artists can be found at www.Brett-Robinson.com under latest news. Brett/Robinson is a sponsor and has the only accommodations bordering the site with Phoenix All Suites Hotel, Island Winds East and Island Winds West.

Of course, The Hangout isn’t the only place that has it going on this year. Another new event is just north of paradise at the intersection of County Road 20 and the Beach Express. The Festival of Musicians will take place March 12-14 at 21774 Miflin Road in Foley. The posters for this event tout 12 stages with hundreds of acts. Check their Website, www.festivalofmusicians.com for the latest on the festival news.

Not to be outdone, The Amphitheater in Orange Beach has also released an impressive lineup of artists for the 2010 Pepsi Star Series. Rascal Flatts with special guest Darius Rucker starts the series March 6. Also in March, Corey Smith with the Randy Rogers Band come in on the 13th. April 11, country superstar Tim McGraw takes the stage with special guest Lady Antebellum and the Lost Trailers. May brings Widespread Panic, with special guest Band of Horses, for two nights on the 7th and 8th. Jason Aldean is scheduled for June 26. Montgomery Gentry makes a return appearance to celebrate Independence Day and lead up to the fireworks spectacular on July 4.

Like I said, there is something for every musical interest and that is just the first half of 2010. I am looking forward to spending some time listening to music in the sand, under the sun and under the stars.

Spring on the Gulf Coast

Spring is almost here and the Alabama Gulf Coast is like a flower ready to bloom. Spring is one of my favorite times of year. After a quiet winter, the coast springs back to life with activity.

Music, flowers, trains and Barbeque are just a few of the things you can find on the coast in March.

• Wales West Light Railway Bluegrass by the Tracks concert series. Every Tuesday and Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m. through March hear great local bands. Free refreshments and train rides top the evening off. A donation of $5 is requested at the door, County Road 9 in Silverhill, call 888-569-5337 for more information.

• Wales West Light Railway Fifth Annual Cottontail Express. Ride the steam train and see the Easter Bunny March 1 through April 3, 2010. There is also an Easter Egg hunt and treats and refreshments. Weekdays by appoint and weekends 1 to 5 p.m. $10 per person. Located on County Road 9 in Silverhill.

• Azalea Bloom Out at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore March 13 through 21, 2010. Visitors will enjoy the blooms of more than 250,000 vibrant azaleas in an explosion of color throughout the 65 acres of Bellingrath Gardens during March. For more information, go to www.bellingrath.org.

• The 2nd Annual BBQ and Blues at Foley Heritage Park is March 20, 2010. Children’s activities, silent auction, barbeque tasting, giveaways and entertainment make this an event not to miss. Tickets are $10, children 10 and under are free. There is also a cook-off competition open to “back yard” and professions teams.

This is only a small sample of what is happening in March on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. I’ll talk about some big-name music coming up next time.

February Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

The weather may be cool, okay cold, but the fish are still biting.

Good catches of black drum and sheepshead are being reported around the Perdido Pass Bridgerocks and jetties. Live shrimp and fiddler crabs are the preferred bait.

Red fish are being caught in the Perdido Pass or just outside on cut baits. You can also troll for them with planers and spoons; a pink or a green spoon being the color of choice. Look for the birds diving and troll around the diving birds.

Speckled trout are in the deep holes in the rivers and being caught on live shrimp or croakers, if you can get them.

Offshore around the rigs black fins are being caught on diamond jigs at night. Trolling with ballyhoo and dusters or chunking might land you a yellow fin tuna. The cool water temperatures are keeping the dolphin and the wahoo away.

Red snapper are everywhere. These fish are being caught on cut bait or live bait. At this time, the red snapper are only catch and release. It is our understanding that the season, sizes and bag limits will not be announced until May.

Some nice amberjack are showing up on the deep water rocks and rigs. These fish are being caught on live bite or jigging. Good catches of vermillion snapper and trigger fish can be caught in the 125’ to 130’ depths on cut squid .

Capt. Randy Boggs

Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina

www.sanrocfishing.com

251-981-7173 or 1-800-806-7889