Radio Trop Rock Blog: Karavan To The Keys Road Trip – Bushwacked At The Flora-Bama Bar

Making Our Way Along The Alabama Gulf Coast

This is a series of articles on an island-themed road trip from Texas to Key West with stops along the way for concerts and fun, making for a true travel adventure.

ISLAND RETREAT RV PARK, GULF SHORES, AL

After a relaxing evening in Henderson Louisiana it was time to continue east to Gulf Shores Alabama. The day’s drive was about five hours, mostly along interstate 10. Once we arrived and had set up camp the Karavan group divided and concurred the coastal area.

Some had dinner and drinks at Lulu’s Homeport which is Jimmy Buffett’s sister’s restaurant. Others stopped by the world renown Flora-Bama. The Flora-Bama has been the subject of many songs including ͞The Flora-Bama recorded by Kenny Chesney. It is also recognized as one of the top 10 beach bars in the WORLD by many publications, including USA Today. The group that went to “the Bama,” as the locals call it, got ͞Bushwhacked.

The bar is not just known for it’s beachside location, it is also known as the best place to get the popular Gulf Coast “adult” ice cream, a drink called the Bushwacker. After drinking a few of those, the alcohol content sneaks up on you and you become what is called “bushwhacked.”

Others in the group went to the local craft brewery Big Beach Brewing Company. The brewery’s name comes from the city tag line for Gulf Shores which is Small Town, Big Beach.

 GLEN LAKES GOLD CLUB, FOLEY, AL

Artists performing: Brent Burns, Bill Whyte and Eric Stone

Day six started early with a 9-hole golf tournament at Glen Lakes Golf Club in Foley, Alabama, which is just north of Gulf Shores.

The tournament consisted of 17 players, none of which could even be considered to the level of amateur golfer.  This was the reason it was decided the tournament would be teams playing a scramble format. I can tell you that the golf course had many more balls in the water hazards and lost out of bounds after we finished playing it.

Following that portion of the golf, there was a long drive contest followed by a putting contest. The group then took a break and regrouped in the clubhouse for a songwriter showcase. Danny Rasado, Joel Block and Donald James warmed the crowd up with a couple of songs following by a couple from Donny Brewer and Eric Erdman.

Then the main show featuring Eric Stone, Brent Burns and Bill Whyte began. If you recognize the names it could be because Eric Stone not only has been performing music around the nation for over twenty years but he is also a contributor to PubClub.com!

Brent Burns has no less than 10 Trop Rock Music Association awards. Bill Whyte has been recognized as Country Music Large Market Radio Personality of the Year, is inducted in the Broadcaster͛s Hall of Fame, and has earned a Grammy award. The three took turns telling stories about, and performing their songs.

While there were a few serious songs the vast majority were humorous to the delight and laughter from the standing room only audience.

Listen to these and more artists on RadioTropRock.com.