Music helps express feelings with songs, numerous events

As is traditionally the case during times of great importance — be they joyful or mournful — music is playing a big part in the oil spill crisis.

From star-studded concerts that attract thousands of people to intimate shows played in local restaurants, musicians are expressing the thoughts and feelings of many.

Since late June, I have received information about new songs written about the situation. There are dozens out there, but here are the three musicians who contacted me:

Joe Monto of Seattle co-wrote a song titled “A Hole in the Ocean” that has received some attention around the country including from a Mobile, Ala., television station and the Audubon Society.

Closer to home, locals Greg Barnhill and Tim Jackson along with Jake Myers and Jared Myers of the Myers Brothers Band wrote “Stain” about the crisis.

It’s a beautiful song.

The video features the Myers Brothers performing it and photography by Tim’s son, Lyndon.

Last, but not not least, local favorite Rusty Hammerstrom wrote the most uptempo song of the three titled “Oil in the Water.”

All three songs can be found on YouTube. Just search for the song titles and/or the artists. Here are links to them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwkFO9UDpjg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZOjy76j_P0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-F7-M0gn_k

You’ll find two of Hammerstrom: one recorded at Fajitas Grill in Destin when the song was so new that he still needed a “cheat sheet” (his words) and another recorded July 13 outside the Destin History and Fishing Museum.

In the same spirit, many music events are being scheduled in connection with the crisis. We’ve already enjoyed several, including Kenny Loggins and the Doobie Brothers in the first Rock the Beach concert.

Rock the Beach 2 is scheduled for Aug. 15 on the beach near the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. The free concert will feature Lynyrd Skynyrd and Josh Thompson and is expected to start about 6 p.m.

The same weekend, on Aug. 13 and 14, the first Sandestin Music Festival will be held at various venues in the Village at Baytowne Wharf. It’s being billed “to support Gulf Coast recovery.”

Admission is free but you have to print a ticket online from sandestinmusicfestival.com. Organizers are asking for donations to benefit the National Audubon Society’s Gulf Coast efforts. They can be made on the website or during the event.

Performers include Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton, Steve Cropper and Lari White. Venues include Hammerhead’s Bar and Grill, Rum Runners sports bar, Graffit & the Funky Blues Shack as well as the Village Events Plaza.

Look for more details in next week’s Showcase.

The very next weekend, on Aug. 22, HarborWalk Village in Destin is hosting the Clean Coast Music & Art Fest. The event will include 12 hours of music, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and will benefit several groups involved in the cleanup, restoration and protection of our coast.

The list of expected performers is long. To name a few: Greg Barnhill, Jones & Company, Mike and the Micros, Ron Adams, Dread Clampitt, Donnie Sundal and Hubba Hubba.

Call 424-0600.