The nation’s entertainment industry continues to take a major financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting thousands of lives on stage and back stage.
In Southwest Florida, local musicians, singers and bands are trying to make ends meet and be artistically creative at the same time. With restaurants operating at limited capacities and bars and other music venues still idle, it’s been tough for some local acts to get gigs. Additionally, there are many people who still don’t want to go out to public places for health and safety concerns … but still want live music.
Continuing our long-time mission to promote local and live music, Happenings Magazine is spotlighting more local talent. These gifted folks can be seen live at various locations around SW Florida, but you can also support them virtually online through social media (via virtual concerts). And, for those who own a restaurant or need live music for a function or event, these performers are available for hire.
Here are some more local musicians in our monthly series:
Moony Mann
Moony Mann plays guitar and sings. He performs 400 shows a year in Southwest Florida as a soloist or with The Moony Mann Band.
He says he digs cars, guitars, cigars, and anything with handle bars.
Moony closed a retail apparel business and retired 14 years ago and went back to his musical roots. Now, he performs as a solo or with the Moony Mann Band as singing, guitar playing front man at some of the best venues in the area. He was voted best entertainer in Naples in 2009.
He enjoys traveling and has toured Europe for two weeks every summer since 2001 playing in various venues. He adds that he likes to go crazy in Las Vegas about five times a year.
Other members of the Moony Mann Band include Miro Tubic on bass, Mike Barbone on drums and Evan Barr on saxophone. The band is a light dinner background/atmostphere music to full throttle dance band.
Because of his busy schedule, he plans to take a little time off in September. Catch Moony Mann at Bice Restaurant on 5th Avenue South in Naples November 2020 through May 2021 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m.
You can follow Moony Mann and the band on Facebook or online at their website at www.moonymann.com.
To hire Moony Mann, call 239-404-0007.
Thunder Beach
Thunder Beach is a five-piece, classic dance rock, powerhouse group, performing an amazing selection of the best classic rock music from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. They have a focus on tribute-level performances to all the songs you forgot you loved.
They’ve performed festivals, country clubs, bike nights and select local venues.
The band’s motto is “Classic Dance Rock … Done Right!!”
Thunder Beach will be performing at the upcoming grand opening of the Twisted Fork restaurant, on the grounds of Bert’s Black Widow Harley-Davidson in Port Charlotte on Friday, Sept. 4.
Thunder Beach band members are Jim Stewart on lead guitar and vocals, John Haussmann on bass guitar and vocals, Vinnie Piccolo on keyboards, Ray Marsch on drums and vocals and Chris Day on lead vocals (and manager).
You can find out more about the band, its members, schedule, music videos and contact information, on their website www.thunderbeachband.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thunderbeachband
To hire Thunder Beach, call 609-238-8838 or email them at thunderbeachband@gmail.com.
David C. Johnson
David C. Johnson, born in Detroit, Mich., began studying piano at the age of 7. He then went on to take up the bass guitar on his own at the age of 11. At an early age, David knew that music was his calling. He performed all over the Detroit area until he took an offer to work with a band in Southwest Florida in 1989.
Since that time, David has become one of SW Florida’s premier musicians, and a “first call” bassist. Since 2000, David has toured with the Grammy Award winning legends, The Neville Brothers. He is also currently bassist/vocalist/keyboardist of the Aaron Neville Quintet, with performances on Steven Colbert, CBS This Morning, David Letterman, Jay Leno, the Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres and The Martha Stewart Show to his credit.
While at home in Southwest Florida, his unique one-man show, The David Johnson Show spotlights his talents as a multi-instrumentalist/entertainer (keyboard, bass, vocals and guitar). He is often seen at Keylime Bistro on Captiva Island, Dogtooth Sports and Music Bar in Naples (with Mudbone), Seed to Table in Naples, Space 39 Art Bar in Fort Myers, The Center Bar in Bonita Springs and other venues.
Follow David on Facebook or go to his website at www.davidjohnsonmusic.com. To hire David, call 239-910-0768 or email at dacajo@davidjohnsonmusic.com
