Too Much Fun

Article and Photos by Kathleen Walls

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John Anderson

The Second Old City Music Fest held at the St. Augustine Flea Market was really prime time in St. Johns County, Florida. It featured the best of the old with fine up-and-coming musicians. The music was a blend also, some Rock mixed with great Country.

One of my all time favorite singers, John Anderson, was featured. I have loved his music ever since Swinging steamrollered the County Music charts way back when. Midway into his act, he looked out at all those screaming fans and said, "I want to thank all of you for Swinging with me for the past thirty years."

The crowd went wild when he sang Swinging and continued to be enraptured when he swung into the haunting melody of Seminole Wind .

Morgan Fraiser

By the time John Anderson reached the stage, the audience had been well warmed up by a few newbies.

The opening act was Morgan Fraiser, who's new hit, Hey Bully  will bring a tear to any eye and many memories of not-so-fun school days for many of us including Morgan. It's sure to be a big hit soon.

Bush Hawg

Then there was St. Augustine's own hometown boy wonder, Craig Hand, lead singer for a hot new band, Bush Hawg. Their More than Corn is high octane.  All the young St. Augustine girls–and some of the not-so-young– couldn't get enough of him and his band. This is a home town boy made good and the fans loved him for it.

My favorite among the newbies was  Angie Johnson, one of Nashville's fastest rising stars and a really nice person to boot. I got chance to speak with her and her husband. These two are so down to earth and natural, you  feel like you are just talking casually with a couple of new friends.

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Angie  Johnson

Angie's story is a combination of perseverance and that one lucky break. The daughter of an air force serviceman father and a Japanese mother, Angie is her own unique blend. She joined the Air Force as she says "because I love my country and because my brother said I wouldn't do it."

Angie has always loved music and tried during her time in the Air Force and later while in the Air National Guard to pursue a music career but things never quite jelled for her. She decided to put aside her dream and go to college. Then, while she was deployed on a tour of duty in Southeast Asia, she sang to entertain the troops. One young service person taped her and posted it on You Tube. Suddenly she was in demand. Invited on The Voice, her unbelievably powerful voice made Cee Lo turn his chair. (What were you thinking, Blake Shelton?)

Uncle Kracker

She really warmed up the audience at Old City Music Festival with her new single, Swagger. As of this writing, Swagger had inched its way to #25 on the Country Music charts. Angie is on her way. Stardom is in her future for sure.

Uncle Kracker brought his own brand of music to the stage and kept it down to just one bit of profanity. His version of Big Bad Leroy Brown  had the audience singing along. It's contagious. None of us could help ourselves.

Richard Williams, lead guitarist for Kansas

The real old-timer of the lineup was Kansas , the band not the state. But they have credibly represented the Sunflower State for the last 40 years. Their unique sound had held audiences since Carry On Wayward Son  reached number 11 on the charts giving them their first top forty hit in 1977.

This was almost  too much fun for one night. The producers agree and next year, it's going to be a three day event. Wow! Whoever  said Ya' caint never have too much fun must have been at this concert. Three days of that much fun might just kill me. But what a way to go! The 2014 dates are November 7-9 at the St. Augustine Flea Market. See ya' there "The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise." �

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/oldcitymusicfest

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