After taking a 41 day break from concert photography, I couldn’t sit still any longer so I went out on a Friday night in St. Cloud, Florida to cover two bands of friends playing in local bars. The drive was only ten minutes from the house so I ventured out for a couple of hours.
First stop was Brews ‘N’ Blues in downtown St. Cloud where the Brazilian brothers, Montcelli is doing their Central Florida tour, 63 dates in six months. Last time I covered them was in 2019 where they were chosen by a competition to open for Great White in a free WMMO Concert Series show in downtown Orlando. Brews ‘N’ Blues has increased their stage lighting so the show was a please to shoot, and the sound mix has always been good. Monticelli plays a wide range of cover songs from The Scorpions, Audioslave, to Ozzy Osbourne and more while throwing in a few original songs. It was great seeing the Monticelli brothers and they sounded great!
Check the schedule to catch Monticelli before they return to South America!
Band:
Arthur Monticelli – Guitar
Vítor Monticelli – Bass
Bruno Monticelli – Drums
On my journey returning home, I made a stop at The Drunken Parrot Saloon and caught Speed Limit 70 just finishing their break. Immediately upon walking in I visited the venues stage manager Darren Barhydt Who I have known for fifteen years. Darren is in charge of sound and the great stage lighting. Within a few minuted I located the owner of The Drunken Parrot, Scott Everett and went over to say hi. Speed Limit 70 was just finishing up their second set and we talked a bit on their break. I have photographed the band before so we are all antiquated. They were playing until 1:00am but I was on my way home so I stayed and photographed them at the start of their third set.
Speed Limit 70 has a diverse catalog and can cover many bands as the married duo of Susan and Thomas both have a tremendous vocal range. Michael and Paul keep the beat and even had some fun with the funky groove of Bill Withers, “Use Me” in a stretched out version that transformed the Drunken Parrot’s audience. Get out and support Thomas on his solo acoustic shows or the entire band shows almost five nights a week. If you get lucky, Susan may join him for a dynamic Duo!
Band:
Susan Watkins – Vocals
Thomas Watkins – Guitar/Vocals
Paul Lane – Drums
Michael DelCampo – Bass
Set 2:
Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Gimme Three Steps (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
Call Me The Breeze (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
Summer of 69 (Bryan Adams cover)
Drift Away (Dobie Gray cover)
Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones cover)
Take It Easy (Eagles cover)
Long Train Running ( Doobie Brothers cover)
I love Rock n Roll (Joan Jett cover)
Brass in Pocket (Pretenders cover)
Pink Houses (John Mellencamp cover)
Bad Case Loving You (Robert Palmer cover)
Set 3:
Dock of The Bay (Otis Redding cover)
Tequila Sunrise (Eagles)
2 Tickets to Paradise (Eddie Money cover)
China Grove (Doobie Brothers cover)
Use Me (Bill Withers cover)
Couldn’t Get it Right (Climax Blues Band cover)
I Want You To Want Me (Cheap Trick cover)
Surrender (Cheap Trick cover)
The Dance (Garth Brooks cover)
Keep Your Hands To Yourself (Georgia Satellites cover)
Folsom Prison (Johnny Cash cover)
I Thank You (ZZ Top cover)
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
