Yep, it's a concept album about traveling, with 20 original songs by local (but hardly amateur) bands and musicians.
Cover photo by famed photographer Burk Uzzle (Car on a Pole)
Laura "BAAMO" Keene is one of the leading forces behind the organization. When asked about the future of BAAMO as CD's and radio stations are being phased out, Laura told me: "There's still plenty of college and community stations. If they're going to keep playing music, I'll do everything I can to get Tampa Bay music into the hands of their listeners."
And indeed she has put it out there. After a very quick web search I found tracks from the new album on playlists in the Netherlands, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and all over the U.S.
If you'd like to get in on the fun before too many people know about Tampa - and it's overrun with hipsters and Republicans - come out to the CD release party this Saturday at New World Brewery. The music starts at 6 p.m.
Support Tampa Bay's best musicians this Saturday night as they head to Austin next month to represent. (Yes, I'm married to one, but I adore the others, too!)
A public service announcement from Flee (aka BFF of the Tampa Bay music scene):
NATIONAL TOM PETTY WEEK PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, WMNF and BAAMO jointly partner to foster responsible adulation of the works of TOM PETTY and the HEARTBREAKERS and all related solo and side projects heretofore referred to as TOM PETTY; and
WHEREAS, 2010 will be the first year, to honor TOM PETTY and his incredible rockness:and
WHEREAS, NATIONAL TOM PETTY WEEK will be widely celebrated throughout the United States;and
WHEREAS, all the music of TOM PETTY, videos, books, Facebook postings and tweets will be honored and plentiful in their volume; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2010 Proclamation is “JUST DO ME LIKE THAT”; and
WHEREAS, WMNF and BAAMO represent the fictional character “The Last DJ” that “plays what he wants to play”Neither bowing to corporate pressure and are supported one listener and concert attendee at a time; and
WHEREAS, both WMNF and BAAMO present a concert in tribute to TOM PETTY on Saturday October 23rd in honor of TOM PETTY WEEK and TOM PETTY’S 60th birthday; and
WHEREAS, 17 bands from the Tampa Bay area gather together to play the music of TOM PETTY.Each band doing their versions of 3 TOM PETTY songs.Representing approximately 50 classic songs over a 6 hour period; and
WHEREAS, the tribute to TOM PETTY named Just Do Me Like That, will commence at 5pm with music of TOM PETTY starting at 6pm sharp and continue to the hour of midnight; and
WHEREAS, the musical tribute to TOM PETTY will take place at Skipper’s Smokehouse on Skipper Rd in Tampa, FL; and
WHEREAS, tickets to the tribute are available in advance at 813-238-8001, WMNF.org and WMNF ticket outlets. Advance price of $12/Door price $15;and
WHEREAS, all proceeds go to WMNF and BAAMO if TOM PETTY fans cannot make the show, donations to keep non-commercial WMNF and non-profit BAAMO alive can be sent to:BAAMO www.baamo.org and WMNF www.wmnf.org/giveOr 813-238-8001 during business hours.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of Tom Pettyness to be affixed on this 15th day of October, in the year two thousand ten.
The Bay Area Arts & Music Organization, or BAAMO as the cool kids call it, is celebrating the very active (if not slightly secretive) Tampa Bay music scene with the release of its sixth compilation entitled Tales of Highways & Low Roads.
