PERFORMANCE TIME: 11 a.m. Sunday, April 27
Charlie Olson, better known as “Charlie O.,” has performed with many bands in the last 40 years. Plant City-area fans most likely know him from his current outfit, previously known as Charlie O. and the Houserockers.
Olson’s pleased with the current lineup. So pleased, in fact, that he’s changing gears in 2014 — he’s putting 100 percent of his energy into the newly christened Southern Legacy Band, which will be playing Sunday at the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival.
“I couldn’t be happier with this band,” Olson says. “It’s the best I’ve played with in over 40 years.”
It’s still the same core as Charlie O. and the Houserockers. In addition to Olson on guitar and vocals, Billy Dickerson is singing lead and playing lead guitar, Rich Miller is still on the keys, Eddie Cash is still playing the bass, and Pat Neff still is drumming. Besides some of the music, it’s just everything else that’s new: a new Facebook page, new logo and new shirts.
So, why change the name? Simply put, the band felt that “Houserockers” didn’t really mesh with their sound. These guys are sticking to their guns and serving up a set full of Southern rock: music for fans of the Black Crowes, Blackberry Smoke and the Allman Brothers Band, plus some original tunes from an upcoming album.
“‘Houserockers’ wasn’t a Southern name,” Olson says. “You’d hear that and think, rhythm and blues, a little rock ‘n’ roll, something like that — not Southern rock. We finally came up with a new name after two or three years of trying to think of one.”
It’s a deviation from last year’s appearance, when Olson and some of the Houserockers broke off into a smaller, acoustic group — the Corkscrews — created specifically for shows at Keel and Curley. In addition to playing the festival, the Corkscrews played monthly at the winery’s Uncorked Friday Nights.
“We had a great time,” Olson says. “We always have a great time there — we play once or twice a month. The Blueberry Festival rocks.
“We’re looking forward to the audience,” he says. “Great crowd out there, on a Plant City Sunday. Where else would you rather be?”