A Celebration of Independence

I recently had the profound pleasure of attending two performances of an amazing band at Seaside Inn, in Port Richey, Florida. Circle Sky is a group of guys that not only have individual talents that boggle the mind, but as a group they truly shine. The four members, Mark, Tim, Billy, and John are down to earth and very grateful to their ever growing following. Mark, who plays a mean guitar, also has a voice that carries you away, and a talent for owning the drums. Tim, the always smiling bass player and vocalist, has an energy that leaves the audience breathless and keeps the house rocking. Billy, the drummer, feeds auditory cravings with his unrestrained energy, while pouring all of himself into the hypnotic cadence his sticks demand. Circle Sky is a cover band that plays music sure to elicit memories of special moments in our lives. It is clearly obvious this band is having fun while on stage, and a love for music comes from each of them.
The lineup for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration at Seaside Inn, in Port Richey, Florida, proved to be a treat for the senses. Circle Sky played from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for the first part of the evening's festivities. As the sky cleared from the rainy day, the crowd filtered outside for a fireworks display. The sliver of moon visible, cast beautiful patterns on the water, and a sense of excitement coursed through the group of people standing on the dock. When the first set of rockets rose to the sky and burst into red, green, white, and blue trails of fiery raindrops, the crowd cheered. I tilted my head back, stared into the center of the lights falling toward the water, and felt a sense of euphoria. It's a very different experience standing underneath a fireworks display, as opposed to seeing it from a distance. It seemed like at any moment, a spark could fall and ignite me. In a sense, observing it from that perspective did ignite me. It created such a sense of being in the eye of a hurricane, untouched by the wind.
After the spectacular grand finale, which lasted about forty non-stop seconds, I reveled in a moment of silence as the smoke drifted around my head. I silently thanked every solider that has lost a precious life and could not stand on that dock with me. I also appreciated the freedom I possess that many other countries and cultures don't have. As the people began to wander back inside, I stood gazing at the smoke drifting over the water, feeling both elation and sadness.
At 10:00 p.m., Circle Sky, was back on the stage for yet more creative infusion. The moment Pink Floyd's, Dark Side Of The Moon, resonated in the room, the crowd settled in for 35 minutes of non stop Floyd. There were moments when I felt like I was back in high school, hanging out with my friends, and singing every word to every song. Circle Sky proceeded to play another four hours, with only one short break, and their energy level never wavered. The band was jammin', the dance floor was smokin', and the room was frenzied with gyrating bodies and screams of approval. They guys jumped from one song to the next, and when Mark played the Jimi Hendrix version of The Star Spangled Banner, and yes he played with his teeth, the crowd went wild.
The experience left me exhausted and elated as I drove home, smiling all the way. I don't doubt that Circle Sky will one day be a household name. This group's talent and humbleness in light of their talent, will take them far as they cross, race, age, and gender demographics. I witnessed that last night.

Circle Sky: (Classic, Alternative, and British Rock)
Mark Alan: Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
Tim Cronin: Bass, Vocals
Billy Isner: Drums, Gong, Percussion, Vocals
John Zahner: Keyboards, Vocals