PERFORMANCE TIME: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27
Another Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival newcomer is Plant City’s own Double Barrel Band, but they’re no strangers to the venue.
The party band, which mainly brings flavors of Southern rock, blues and country to its performances, has played its share of shows on weekends at Keel and Curley.
“This is the first time we will have played the Blueberry Festival, but we have been playing at Keel and Curley for over a year now, and we love it,” frontman “Trailer Park” Mark Sprouse says.
The band itself came together in early 2009, while Sprouse was working as a solo country artist. He had just released an album, “It’s a Country Thing,” and a local newspaper sent a writer to do a story on him. That’s where the first seeds were planted.
“I found out he played keyboards, and we got a band together,” Sprouse says. “We had five people to start, and we are now a three-piece.”
Sprouse handles the band’s lead guitar and vocals, and also plays the fiddle and harmonica. Chris Klear, the drummer, contributes percussion and backup vocals. And Rich “Six Strings” Fiore, in addition to playing his trademark six-string bass, sings backup and some lead vocals.
“We are a very energetic band,” Sprouse says. “We use a wireless system that lets us get off the stage and interact with the crowd, have fun with them.”
The band’s goal is to be the “best party band in Tampa Bay.” It also dabbles in funk, disco and bluegrass, performs a number of classic-rock covers and even includes some comedy in its sets.
Following the Blueberry Festival, the band’s next big concert will be in Plant City for the Fourth of July celebration at Plant City Stadium, for which they’ve been named the featured entertainment.
At the festival, the band not only is looking forward to playing one of its favorite venues but also playing for a broad audience. Sprouse says Double Barrel Band always enjoys playing for people of all ages.
“Fun and family,” Sprouse says. “This is a family event for all ages, and we all have kids, so we like the fact that our kids can come out, have fun and get to see us perform.”