National musical acts entertain at Bradenton Area River Regatta
Brandon Heath's a big enough name in Christian music that he has no problem filling concert venues on his own.
On Saturday at the Bradenton Area River Regatta, though, Heath will perform in front of a festival crowd. He'll have a lot of fans in the audience, but he'll also be playing to a lot of people who don't know him or his music. And that's fine with him.
"I love the opportunity to play in front of people who have never heard my music," he said in a phone interview from his Nashville home. "It's a gift. I think it's a great opportunity to share my story."
Heath will headline a full day of live music at the It Works! Stage at Regatta Pointe Marina on the Palmetto riverfront. Bands will take the stage staring at 11 a.m. Heath is slated to perform at 4:30 p.m.
Some of his songs are better known than Heath himself is. He's had some airplay on secular radio stations, he's been nominated for four Grammy Awards and Carrie Underwood had him play his song "Love Never Fails" for her first dance with her husband at their wedding.
"There's a lot of people know my music who don't know my name," he said. "It's kind of fun. We play a lot of songs that people have heard on the radio, and I see the look on people's faces when they realize I'm the one who did those songs. It's kind of like meeting a pen pal that you've never met in person."
Heath's most recent album, "No Turning Back," came out last year and reached No. 9 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The second single from the album, "Behold Our God," is out now.
On the Riverwalk on the Bradenton side of the river, the headline act is Beatlemania Now!, a nationally known Beatles tribute band. They're also scheduled to play at 4:30 p.m.
Both before and after the regatta, downtown Bradenton has live entertainment lined up, with back-to-back editions of the popular Main Street Live street party. On Friday night, Kim Betts & Gamble Creek Band will rock Old Main Street. And on Saturday, if you're not ready to go straight home after the regatta, the Main Street Live Regatta Boat Race After-Party will feature Sarasota country band Rebel Heart from 6 until 9 p.m., and Brandon-based Southern-rock band Soul Circus Cowboys from 9:30 until 11 p.m. Both of the Main Street Live events are free and run from 5 p.m. until midnight.
Good advice
Bradenton Public Works Director Claude Tankersley said several people became dehydrated at last year's regatta.
His advice for people planning on coming to the event this year is that they know their own limits.
"The excitement of the event, combined with our normally beautiful Florida weather, led some people to forget to drink water, sit or seek shade," he said. "Bring sunscreen. ... Just because it's cool doesn't mean you can't get sunburned or overheated. Drink plenty of fluids, wear a hat, bring a windbreaker -- especially if you plan on watching the races from the bridge."
Saturday's forecast calls for a cloudy day with highs in the 70s. with winds up to 14 miles per hour out of the northeast.
"So plan ahead for both warm and cool conditions," Tankersley said.
Do not bring alcohol, tents, grills, large coolers, umbrellas, lounge chairs, folding tables, large banners or flags.
Tankersley said a good rule to follow is that if something blocks or irritates fellow spectators, you shouldn't bring it.
No one will be allowed to reserve space for friends or family. It is a first-come, first-served event.
Details: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Feb. 6, on and along the Manatee River just east of the Green Bridge. Admission: Free. Information: bradentonarearegatta.com.
Marty Clear, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-708-7919. Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041.
or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.
This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "National musical acts entertain at Bradenton Area River Regatta ."