Tickets on sale for Parrothead Party at amphitheater; lineup changes

Tickets are now on sale for the Parrothead Party set for May 11 at the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre, although there's been a change in the lineup for the Jimmy Buffett-themed musical event.

City officials announced last month that longtime Buffett collaborator Mac McAnally would perform at the show, but he's pulled out because of scheduling conflicts.

A1A, the officially sanctioned Buffett tribute band, will still appear, however, and two new acts have been added to the bill: Keith Burns and Erica Sunshine Lee.

Burns was a founding member of Trick Pony, which had three Top 20 albums on Billboard's Hot Country Albums chart: their self-titled debut, which reached No. 12 in 2001; “On a Mission, No. 13 in 2002; and “R.I.D.E.,” No. 4 in 2005.

He also co-wrote their Top 20 singles “Pour Me” and “Just What I Do,” and has had singles recorded by Joe Diffie (he once played in Diffie's backup band), Hootie and the Blowfish, Moe Bandy and Burns & Poe (his partnership with singer Michelle Poe).

Burns also is no stranger to Northeast Alabama, co-writing the Christmas song “What Family Might Say” with Southside resident Dennis Twigg (he later recorded it with actor/singer John Schneider).

Lee has been dubbed by some as “the hardest-working woman in country music,” given that according to her website she's written 1,800 songs and had more than 50 of them covered by other artists, has released 10 original albums and averages performing 300 shows a year.

Her music is in the Buffett vibe, as she's a three-time winner of the Trop Rock Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award (2020-22), although she's also been influenced by outlaw country and pop. She also has written and published a couple of children's books.

"There have been very few people with more musical success over the past 50 years than the late Jimmy Buffett, and we wanted to bring some of his music's energy to Gadsden," Mayor Craig Ford said in a news release. "We've been investing heavily in our historic amphitheater, The AMP,' and this Parrothead Party is a great way to kick off summer in North Alabama.”

Gates will open at 5 p.m. the night of the show and the music will start at 6 p.m.

Food vendors will be on hand (the fare will include tacos and cheeseburgers) and Tanteo Tequila island drinks will be available.

Those attending are asked to dress in full Parrothead regalia, and the activities will include a “Fins Up” photo booth and a “Parrothead Elvis Encounter.”

General admission tickets are $19.99 and reserved-seat tickets (on rows 1 and 2), which include party favors and early admission at 4 p.m., are $29.99.

A VIP package including six tickets, two parking passes and 12 drink coins is $500.

All are available at https://bit.ly/48nM4pO.

Summer Concert Series lineup

The lineup for the free Summer Concert Series at the amphitheater was announced at the Feb. 20 Gadsden City Council meeting, with the council approving expenditures for the acts (which will be recouped through sponsorships, according to city officials).

The schedule will open June 7 with The Fuego Band, a dance show band from Mobile that mixes Motown, soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, rock and Top 40 elements, according to the Crescent Entertainment website.

Next up on July 5 will be Nash County, a Nashville-based group that features both male and female vocalists performing covers of country and rock classics.

Rubik's Groove, a character-driven band that combines music with “a complete 360-degree interactive experience,” according to its website, is scheduled for Aug. 2.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Parrothead Party ticket sales begin with new lineup announced