Great Outdoors Jam: Same Awesome Funk, New Time & Place

Great Outdoors Jam has announced its initial lineup for this year’s festival, which has moved from the 4th of July weekend to the end of September. Kenny Blair is returning to GOJ to Maddox Ranch September 28th – October 1st, and this first wave of artists is chock-full of Hometeam and OBJ favorites and tremendous talent from outside Florida as well.

At the top of the list are Backup Planet, bringing their interplanetary funksmanship from Nashville. This prog-funk quartet stunned us at Hometeam New Year’s Rally 2015, came back to blow it up at GOJ last summer, and returned again for the recent Hometeam Rally.

Chris Potocik of Backup Planet
Chris Potocik of Backup Planet

And our favorite Hoosier, Joe Marcinek, will be leading the Super Jam. We have sung his praises countless times for his ability to attract incredible ensembles everywhere he goes around the nation. Check out our review of his performance at the recent Dunedin Brewery Spring Beer Jam here.

Joe Marcienk, Jason Hann & Juanjamon
Joe Marcienk, Jason Hann & Juanjamon

Groove Fetish will again deliver their groove from Wilmington NC. They too crushed their set at GOJ 2016. And you will be hearing a lot more about two newcomers (to us): Custard Pie and SixFoxWhiskey. Custard Pie, from Valdosta, serve us cosmic gypsy jam, and Boston’s SixFoxWhiskey blend folk and jam. We can’t wait to check them out.

Clay Crotts of Groove Fetish
Andy Blair of Groove Fetish

Words about two other groups before we get to our Hometeam favorites. Between Bluffs has been on hiatus for a bit, but we are truly excited about their return to action. This Dunedin group will knock you out. And speaking of a knock-out, Jacksonville’s Blackwater Grease is a new conglomeration we can’t wait to hear, featuring former S.P.O.R.E. Joe Knoebel and Steve Honig plus Greg Sears and more. Oh, damn!

Matt Weis of Boxcar Hollow
Matt Weis of Boxcar Hollow

Theoretically, Boxcar Hollow is an American/newgrass-y sort of group, but nobody who witnessed their total funk jam at HTNYR can forget it. The Groove Orient have been rockin’ the house every time they play, powerful rock and funk their stock in trade. And if somebody’s gonna get funked up, it’s gonna be YOU after you hear The Juanjamon Band. Deeper than deep.

Justino Lee Walker and Juan Santana of Justino and the Difference
Justino Lee Walker and Juan Santana of Justino and the Difference

Holey Miss Moley is off on a cross-country tour right now, but this amazing nine-member funk juggernaut will blow it up at GOJ, and you need to check out their new album, Live at Hometeam New Year’s Rally. Those lucky enough to catch the Joose set recently are aware that the addition of Justino Lee Walker has shoved this fusion band to national status (and this is NOT hyperbole). And how about a double-dose of Mr. Walker, as he leads his Justino and the Difference fusion quartet as well. And more fusion goodness heads your way from Sarasota via Wild Root. Prepare yourself!

Row Jomah and Christian Ryan
Row Jomah and Christian Ryan

The Reality just released their second album (read our review here) and are on a big tour right now. Their deliciously quirky funk will grab a hold of you and not let go. Row Jomah just released their second album, a live outing (read that review here), and the Clearwater quintet just gets better and better under the leadership of Joe Roma.

RBIDY
RBIDY

Last but by no means least are two stalwarts of our scene. Russ Bowers, the organizer of our beloved Orange Blossom Jamboree, will again unite his Russ Bowers Isn’t Dead Yet bandmates for more grateful fun. And Dennis Stadelman, one of the godfathers of the Florida jam scene from his time with CopE to the present, playing with various others, presents his dynamic Sonic Stew.

Dennis Stadelman
Dennis Stadelman

We already have the dates on our calendar. This simply confirms that we made a wise decision! Looking forward to more information and artists as we inch toward fall!

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goj initial poster

 

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