AGP Executive Report

Local Music Spotlight: Tampa Bay band Phoenix5 was picked to headline the City of Tampa’s Liberty by the Bay America 250 Fourth of July celebration at Julian B. Lane Park, with sets timed around Mayor Jane Castor’s remarks, a guitar national anthem, a 250-drone show, and fireworks. Tribute & Legacy: Sarasota’s Dickey Betts legacy keeps rolling—his family and community unveiled a Dickey Betts Memorial Highway sign in Osprey and hosted an all-star tribute concert featuring longtime band members. Community + Culture: New Port Richey’s Richey Suncoast Theatre marks 100 years since opening in 1926, now operating as a community arts hub for live music, comedy, kids programming, and more. Music & Pop Culture: Shakira brought her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour energy to South Florida, mixing dance-heavy performance with pop, rock, and Latin rhythms. Independence Day Planning: With a heatwave impacting parts of the U.S., some communities are adjusting holiday schedules—so Florida fans may want to double-check event times before heading out.

Local Spotlight: Jacksonville music teacher Joel Pace is behind Be the Change Northeast Florida, a nonprofit that gives away clothing and hygiene with no applications or judgment, plus monthly homeless outreach. Benefit Concert: Madison, Florida’s International Hyperbarics Association is launching “Harmonies for Hope” with LeAnn Rimes on July 10 to expand access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 4th of July Music & Fireworks (Space Coast): Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and more kick off America’s 250th with fireworks, drone shows, parades and live music starting July 3. 4th of July Music & Fireworks (Cape Coral): Cape Coral’s Red, White & Boom runs July 4 with Rosada Project, DJ Sinister and Chris Lane, plus fireworks powered by Lee County Electric Cooperative. New Music Release: Brian Kelley starts a “Jimmy Buffett Summer” with his new single “Jimmy Buffett Summer,” co-written with his wife. Guitar Shop Opening: Amp’d Guitar Den opens on Mills Avenue in Orlando with gear, repairs, and plans for local instruction and live sessions. Pop Culture/Florida Music: Drake is the subject of a new university course, while Florida rapper Yung Miami says she wants to collaborate—“pick up the phone.” Family-Friendly Fun: LEGOLAND Florida debuts a LEGO Pokémon Play Zone July 20–Aug. 16 with interactive challenges and a giant Pikachu.

Local Music & Events: Brian Kelley kicks off a “Jimmy Buffett Summer” with his new co-written track “Jimmy Buffett Summer,” plus Surf Post Sessions shows July 23-25 in Grayton Beach. Miami Family Fun: The Museum of Miami’s July 4 Independence Day party pairs live music and vendors with a rare founding-documents exhibit. Dance Spotlight: The 31st International Ballet Festival of Miami returns July 25–Aug. 16 with 10 performances across South Florida, master classes, and an opening-night celebration. Community Arts Access: Winter Garden nonprofit Let Kids Create Inc. is expanding performing-arts opportunities for kids who lack access, building on earlier outreach work. Live Music for the Holiday: Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach lines up parade-day festivities, live sets, and fireworks for July 4. Orlando Indie Scene: I-4 Fest is back for July 4 at Austin’s Coffee in Winter Park with multiple stages and local artists. Arts in the Galleries: Pérez Art Museum Miami opens “Basquiat: Figures, Signs, Symbols,” a major show drawn from the Kenneth C. Griffin Collection. Music News (National): Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies at 74; he co-wrote “YMCA.”

Christian Rock Expansion: Trinity Music & Media Group says The Trinity Rock Hour is adding new radio affiliates across Florida (Daytona Beach, Madison, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay) and into Riverside–San Bernardino, CA, continuing its nationwide push. Opera in South Florida: Florida Grand Opera announces an Italian-language season in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, featuring “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Don Giovanni,” and “Nabucco,” plus a one-night Verdi celebration running Nov. 2026–May 2027. Local Pride Nightlife: Gainesville’s University Club marks Pride Month with a look at how the 1990-founded LGBTQ+ nightclub remains a key safe space for queer community in Florida. Classical Education with Real Impact: The Florida Orchestra wins a $10,000 Mockingbird Foundation grant to expand its Detention Center Strings program in Tampa Bay DJJ facilities, adding more violin and cello instruction and performances. Live Music Calendar (Tallahassee): Tallahassee’s July 4 “Celebrate America” at Tom Brown Park and “Independence Bash: Red, White & Moon” at The Moon are among the standout holiday events. Sports + Music Crossover: A proposed 8,000-seat pro soccer stadium in Melbourne would also host concerts and community events year-round, aiming to become a local gathering hub.

Fourth of July Music & Community: Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville hosts “Defending Democracy,” a July 4 concert launching independent candidate Mike Klein’s Florida 3rd District campaign. Local Concert Picks: Fort Myers’ America 250 weekend at Luminary Hotel & Co. spotlights classic-rock tributes—School of Rock’s Tom Petty and Eagles set at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater (July 3)—plus a big downtown live-music and fireworks night. Jazz Spotlight: Orlando’s Tyreek McDole, fresh off acclaim for his debut album Open Up Your Senses, talks about bringing new energy to jazz after wins at major vocal competitions. Kids & Dance: Palm Beach County’s 15th annual KidsFit Jamathon returns as a high-energy “fitness concert” built around dance and youth arts. Florida Arts on Stage: Florida Studio Theatre’s Honky Tonk Angels blends three women’s stories with a live four-piece band and a rotating cast of musicians. Music Industry Notes: ACM Studio Recording & Industry Awards winners were announced, with producer Dann Huff and audio engineer Justin Niebank among the top honors. New Music Release: Kings Point drops “America On My Mind,” an acoustic father-daughter-written track featuring Kent Hilli.

Kanye West in Tampa: Despite backlash and a petition from Sen. Rick Scott, Ye’s Raymond James Stadium shows went on, with tens of thousands attending and officials citing venue rules and free-speech/contract limits. Local Music Education: Crooms Academy in Seminole County is reviving its Marching Panthers tradition with a $5,000 grant, aiming to restore a community-rooted cultural institution. Music Law: Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment won dismissal in a lawsuit over an EDM sample used on “Alien Superstar,” after the court ruled the claim didn’t hold up. Jazz Spotlight (Florida connection): The American Piano Awards named five jazz piano finalists for 2027, including Florida-based talent Joe Block’s peers as the competition heads to Indianapolis this fall. Florida Music Business: iHeartMedia Miami launched a daylong fundraising push with Global Empowerment Mission for Venezuela earthquake relief, airing appeals across South Florida stations. Touring/Live Music: Shakira’s Miami Kaseya Center run (July 1–2) is drawing heavy demand, with last-minute ticket discounts showing up on resale sites.

Latin Music Milestone: Grammy winner Carín León made history at Miami’s Nu Stadium with the venue’s first-ever concert and first-ever sold-out show, drawing 24,000+ fans and featuring surprise guests Juanes and Silvestre Dangond. Community Fundraiser: Somos Orlando is hosting a pay-what-you-want Caribbean Heritage benefit for the Florida Immigrant Coalition at Will’s Pub (June 30), with music spanning bomba, jazz, reggae, rock and funk. Local Live & Family Arts: Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach is rolling out Stars & Service (patriotic music, veteran comedians, and resources for veterans) and Olaf’s Summer Bash (free interactive DJ party for families). Florida Music Calendar: Billboard Latin Music Week returns to Faena Forum in Miami Beach Oct. 19–22, with tickets now on sale. Jazz Spotlight: The Jazz Club of Sarasota earned a spot in DownBeat’s 2026 Great Jazz Venues Guide.

Florida Music & Community: The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg is offering free admission June 26–28 as a counterprogramming option during Kanye West’s Tampa run, aiming to keep history accessible and push back on rising antisemitism. Local Pride & Events: Riviera Beach earned a 2026 All-America City Award, spotlighting community wins as the city heads into a busy summer. Fundraisers With a Soundtrack: College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is gearing up for “Swords & Tails: A Seaside Soiree,” a music-and-dancing fundraiser supporting CFK students and programs. Florida Live Music Buzz: Noel & Maria kick off the swing ahead of the High Country Jazz Fest with a May 10 show at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. Pop Culture Meets Politics: Ye’s Tampa concerts reportedly went smoothly despite protests and a Rick Scott petition, while the broader controversy keeps spilling into Florida headlines.

Heat & Hydration at Stadium Shows: Medical staff say a Morgan Wallen “Still the Problem” stop at UF’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium sent about a dozen people to the ER for dehydration and heat exhaustion, a warning sign for football-season crowds. Independence Day Music in Gainesville: WUFT’s FANFARES & FIREWORKS returns July 3 (free) with the Gainesville Community Band, Gainesville Pops, and local groups, plus fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Reggae Breakthrough: Vernal Sage’s “Good Over Evil” is climbing urban/ethnic radio charts and hit the Top 10, with a video teaser already out and a full release planned for early July. Orlando Rock Longevity: Our Lady Peace marked 30 years with a sold-out Orlando show, leaning into their alt-rock hits and their message of hope. Florida Community Pride: Miami-Dade’s America 250 Fourth of July plans spotlight live music and fireworks at Tropical Park and Bayfront Park. Local Music Calendar: Pensacola’s summer series “Bands on the Beach” and Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter kick off the week with live music.

Local Pride Spotlight: St. Pete Pride Parade drew hundreds of thousands downtown, with organizers crediting the turnout and looking ahead to funding pressure after Tampa Pride was canceled earlier this year. Florida Music News: Ann Wilson (Heart) is set to release her second album with Tripsitter, Consecrated Ground, dropping Aug. 14, with a Sept. 12 start in Lady Lake, Florida. Tampa Bay Live Music & Controversy: Kanye West’s Tampa shows are moving forward at Raymond James Stadium despite protests and a Rick Scott petition, with the Tampa Sports Authority saying no taxpayer money is used and that free-speech rules apply. World Cup x South Florida Culture: Colombia closed Group K with a 0-0 draw vs. Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, advancing as group winner and setting up the Round of 32 vs. Ghana. Community & Safety: H2O Music Fest in Englewood brought thousands to a floating stage in Gasparilla Sound, with law enforcement on hand and multiple arrests reported.

Jazz in the Sunshine State: Confluence brings melodic jazz and originals to Amana Performing Arts Center July 17 (donation admission), with seasoned players drawing from legends like Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea. Local Pride & live music: St. Pete gears up for its Pride weekend expected to draw 300,000+ people, with concerts, DJ sets, a Trans March, and a main parade along Bayshore Drive. Community scholarships with a soundtrack: Reach for Greatness hosts “Reach for the Stars” Feb. 28 in Key West, featuring cocktails, a silent auction, and live music from student band Zero Turbulence. Arts funding call: Deering Estate opens applications for its 2027 Artist-in-Residence program (visual, literary, performing, cross-disciplinary) with an Aug. 31 deadline. Florida music history spotlight: A FOX 13 countdown highlights Ray Charles’ Tampa Bay roots, tying his genre-bending rise to Florida’s broader cultural legacy.

Florida Music & Live Shows: Orlando International Airport’s Liberty Weekend brings a free concert Saturday, June 27 (6:30 p.m., Terminal C) featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra plus the Central Florida Community Arts Choir. Local Country Spotlight: Cody Johnson released Banks Of The Trinity, a 16-track album rooted in his Texas hometown memories. Jazz in the Spotlight: The High Country Jazz Festival returns June 10–14 with sold-out shows and performances by Spyro Gyra, Wycliffe Gordon, and the Emmet Cohen Trio. Local Music Scene: Gainesville’s Crimson is celebrating its new album Cowabunga after recording at Pulp Arts. Theater + Music: Florida Studio Theatre’s summer season includes Honky Tonk Angels, a country-music story built around songs by female legends. Big National Music News (Florida tie-in): Kanye West/“Ye” performed at Raymond James Stadium despite calls from Florida lawmakers to cancel.

Kanye West in Tampa: Despite backlash and calls to cancel, Ye’s Friday and Sunday shows at Raymond James Stadium are still moving forward, with legal experts pointing to contract language that limits cancellations over public fallout. Florida Keys Summer Music: The Keys are gearing up for a packed stretch of events, including Key Lime Festival (July 1-5) and the Key West Mermaid Festival (July 2-5), plus America 250 celebrations across Monroe County. Local Stage Spotlight: Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret is staging “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” a ’60s folk singalong-style program that sold out on opening night. Ann Wilson Update: Ann Wilson and her band Tripsitter announced their second album together, “Consecrated Ground,” arriving Aug. 14, with a new single out now and a Florida tour kickoff in Lady Lake. Community Music & Pride: St. Pete Pride’s Friday concert is set to feature Chinchilla, Flyana Boss and Cain Culto as the city marks a big weekend for 2026.

Local Jazz Fundraiser: The Rotary Club of Palm Beach is launching a monthly rooftop jazz series, “Red Velvet Jazz Rooftop Series,” starting June 30 at Hotel AKA West Palm, with live sets and food to support scholarships and charitable programs. Album Spotlight: WMNF’s Song of the Day for June 26 is “Doom Mood” by Pearl and the Oysters, a Gainesville-to-LA indie pop duo blending dreamier synth-pop and classic influences. Live Music Guide: CMA Fest 2026’s primetime concert special airs tonight on ABC (and streams via major OTT options), with a lineup that includes Ella Langley and Jelly Roll. Tour News: Ella Langley is extending her sold-out “Dandelion Tour” with 21 new dates, including major stops like Red Rocks and the Greek Theatre. Dance Music in Florida: Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando 2026 has dropped its lineup and ticket info, with Insomniac listing a huge roster for Nov. 6–8 at Tinker Field. Community Remembrance Through Music: The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida marked the Pulse nightclub anniversary with “Invincible,” featuring a world premiere requiem commissioned for the occasion.

CMA Fest TV: ABC’s “CMA Fest Presented by SoFi” airs tonight, with Riley Green and Lara Spencer hosting a star-packed lineup that includes Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and more—plus a first-ever live performance of Shaboozey’s “Cowgirl.” Orlando Live Music: Flamenco del Sur brings “Fenomenca” to the Dr. Phillips Center on June 28, blending flamenco, theater and music in a story of transformation. South Florida Rock/Metal: Worm closes out its tour in Orlando this weekend, with local openers Druid Lord and Pontifex also on the bill for a dark, theatrical black-metal night. Local Spotlight: Hillsborough teen Anthony Delgado is a self-taught pianist who plays by ear and uses music as therapy. Jacksonville Country: Ella Langley lands at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Sept. 19; ticket sales begin June 26 after a presale Ticketmaster hiccup. Community Calendar: Glazer Hall launches a Summer Jazz Series in Palm Beach with weekly Wednesday shows starting July 8.

Florida Live & Festivals: Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill musical is headed to Broward County, bringing the Tony-winning stage hit to South Florida. Community Music Moments: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened a free “FlyBrary” inside the terminal—take a book, leave a book—plus the airport is eyeing more passenger perks like music on weekends. Patriotic Pop Culture: Freedomfest in Port St. Lucie adds a choreographed drone show for July 4’s 250th-birthday celebration, with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Max Weinberg headlining and a South Florida rock opener. Local Scene Spotlight: Goodland’s Little Bar wrapped up Spammy Jammy, extending the end-of-season party across a full weekend. Music History (Today): June 25 marks early sung-mass history in Quebec (1615) and the birth of pop icon George Michael (1963).