It’s no secret that Cape San Blas hosts a thriving arts scene. Stop in any time of year, and you’ll stumble upon galleries, boutiques, street art, and live music pop-ups at bars, coffee shops, and community centers. It’s a chill, unassuming coastal town that welcomes visitors in with open arms. For musicians, Blast on the Bay is the place to go where the beers are cold and the crowds are welcoming every single year.
For one weekend every October, Port St. Joe hosts some of America’s most talented singer-songwriters for Blues on the Bay, a cozy, one-of-a-kind, small-town music festival boasting some huge names in the songwriting world. The action happens at multiple venues throughout Port St. Joe, and you’ll have the opportunity to hear up-and-coming musicians as well as well-established favorites.
Songwriters for superstars share the stage with uniquely talented young adults. As you might expect, much of the music is country or Americana-leaning, though you’ll find that many of the artists were heavily influenced by rock, pop, and blues, as well.
When and Where It All Happens
Blast on the Bay 2023 will take place October 19-22, with most of the events happening on the 20th and 21st (a Saturday and Sunday). The venues are all located within Port St. Joe or Cape San Blas, most of them at local bars or cozy music venues. Tickets and a full schedule of events are available online.
What to Expect
Blast on the Bay is a ticketed event, but all ticket sales go toward the non-profit Coastal Songwriters Education Coalition. Tickets get you access to all the events at every venue for the weekend, so you can come and go to see your favorite artists as they tell stories, sing, and interact with the crowd. If you’re a regular at larger music festivals, you might be pleasantly surprised by the intimate feel of Blast on the Bay; the talent is huge, but the crowds aren’t overwhelming.
You’ll get to enjoy the friendly, welcoming Forgotten Coast in one of the most pleasant months of the year, while taking in some excellent music.
The Talent
This year, the lineup features over 30 musicians with a huge range of experience and styles. Some of the songwriters here have written for superstars like George Strait, Garth Brooks, and Jason Aldean. Most come from Nashville or are Gulf Coast natives, though some hail from other parts of the States.
A few of this year’s lineup includes:
- Aaron Barker, best known for the hits he wrote for George Strait
- Alan Rhody, who wrote “I’ll Be True to You” by the Oak Ridge Boys and “Somebody to Care”, popularized by Tanya Tucker
- Brett Jones, who has 14 Top Ten’s under his belt
- Brian White, a prolific artist with 16 #1 hits–and multiple CMA and Grammy nominations
- Danny Wells, of “Check Yes or No” fame
- Jerry Salley, who has had over 450 tunes recorded over the course of his long career
- Jesse Rice, who has a spate of Billboard, CMA, ACM, AMA, and Trop Music Awards
The list goes on; the number of artists attending Blast on the Bay is truly impressive, and fans of practically all genres will find something to enjoy over the course of the weekend.
The atmosphere at Blast on the Bay leaves little to be desired. Hit up multiple venues, and you’ll experience some of the best food and drinks that Florida’s Forgotten Coast has to offer. The passion for music, story, and song is palpable. You’ll find that even the non-music venues are teeming with warm smiles and talent. The vibes are good, and the atmosphere is unlike what you’ll find at any other music festival.
