NICEVILLE — Richard Blanco, the first Latino immigrant poet chosen to read at a presidential inauguration, will be the featured distinguished author at Northwest Florida State College's annual NWFSC Reads.

Blanco will present readings from his works at 7 p.m. April 20  in the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Sprint Theater on the NWFSC Niceville campus. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Immediately preceding Blanco's reading, additional events will take place from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. in the adjoining Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries. These include a welcome reception, student readings and the unveiling of the student art selected for the cover of the college’s literary and arts journal, "Blackwater Review.”

All of the evening's events are free and open to the public.

NWFSC Reads is a free annual week-long event by the college English Department, with an emphasis on literary topics.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Richard Blanco featured author at NWFSC Reads event

CRESTVIEW — Myke V (last name, Van Ness) and Jarrod Rosenstock, a Destin duo who make up The Good Lookings, will perform around 3:20 p.m. March 28 at the Triple B Cookoff on Main Street.

Myke V, vocalist and guitarist, and Jarrod, vocalist, drummer and cajon player (a sort of drum box) —have played gigs for almost a year. They met when Myke hosted an open mic event at Funky Blues Shack in Destin. "Jarrod would come up there and play…he got a gig one Saturday night during the summer and asked if I'd like to come up and play." The gig was at a venue that normally takes bigger bands, and The Good Lookings sounds "bigger" than a duo, Myke said.

Their repertoire includes a mix of original songs, hits from the  1980's and 90's, and classics from Billy Joel and the Jackson 5.

Q&A

The Good Lookings is a good band name, but what other names did you consider?

"Bag of Hats or 6% Clown Parts. The Good Lookings is a terrible name, but my mom likes it," Myke said.

What's your favorite song to perform?

We agree on this one. While our originals are a lot of fun, and we're very proud of them, we really like to play "Gray Street" by Dave Matthews. Also, typically we'll be asked at a show to play a song we don't know but we'll try to pull it off. Those can get pretty fun.

Where's your favorite place to perform?

Any place that has an enthusiastic audience that appreciates live music. We love crowd interaction 🙂 

Beach or brew hall?

Brew hall. Definitely, brew hall.

If you've "been there, done that, and got the T-shirt," what would your T-shirt say?

"It's called a BLINKER!" (viral photo of a mad dog behind the wheel of a car)

What do you guys do off stage?

Go watch others perform. We really love live music, and are grateful to be a part of this robust musical community. 

So, what's on your barbecue grill?

Jarrod: Steak!

Myke: Chicken and cheese brats, usually. This spring, I'll be practicing my grilled salmon, though.

MORE INFORMATION

See The Good Lookings' photos, videos and scheduled bookings at www.facebook.com/thegoodlookingsband and www.reverbnation.com/thegoodlookings.

Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Destin band trades brew halls for downtown this weekend

CRESTVIEW — To businessmen like Dale Henderson, a Lee Buick/GMC sales executive, the Triple B Cookoff is more than downtown’s premier spring festival.

It’s a giant sales opportunity.

For five or six years, the dealership has exhibited vehicles at the festival, and each year it’s sold every one of them. At last year’s festival, Lee displayed — and sold — eight cars and trucks.

The cookoff offers high visibility for the dealer that can't be beaten, Henderson said.

“You have 10- or 12,000 people walking by,” he said. “It’s hard to get 10- or 12,000 people walking into the dealership.”

People may not buy a new car or truck on the spot, but for two — and sometimes more — weeks after the Triple B, customers continue to walk into the State Road 85 dealership and inquire about vehicles they saw on display.

“They would come in and say they saw it at the festival,” Henderson said. “One guy came in and asked to see the truck he wanted but we’d already sold it. But he bought a similar one.”

‘PRETTY AWESOME’ SALES OPPORTUNITY

Nothing beats a potential customer who's at the cookoff, enjoying the food and already in a good mood, Henderson said.

“It’s better than seeing a picture on a piece of paper,” he said. “When they can see it (a vehicle) and touch it and sit inside of it and see the features and what it does, it makes it pretty awesome.”

Originally Henderson began as a barbecue judge, but soon he discovered there were so many people interested in his vehicles he had to devote more time to car sales.

“We thought during the judging we’d have a lot of people interested about the vehicles,” he said. “I was a judge for two years, but I had to stop because we had so many people interested in the cars.”

Being a festival sponsor turned out to be a shrewd business move as well as a good way to foster community relations, Henderson said.

“To get your word out and get your face out there and push your product out there, it helps tremendously,” he said. “Every vehicle we’ve ever had there we sold.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Cookoff is a 12,000-person showroom for this Crestview car dealership

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Triple B Cook-off, founded in 2001, started as part of the former Family Fun Day festival in Old Spanish Trail Park.

Organizers almost canceled it after low attendance in its second year, but a large turnout for the Spanish Trail Cruisers Club's downtown 2002 car show spurred organizers to move the barbecue festival's venue.

Since then, Triple B has been a cooperative effort between the chamber of commerce and the Main Street Crestview Association, with the city's assistance.

This year's festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28 on Main Street.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Almost canceled event now city's largest attraction

CRESTVIEW — Guitarist Brandon Day and singer Shea Bryant, who've made music together for four years, will perform a 2 p.m. set during the Triple B Cookoff March 28 on Main Street.

Day, who also performs with Superface, is a Lexington, Ky., transplant who enjoys everything from rock and roll to blues, bluegrass and jazz — "I love to dabble in all guitar-friendly styles," he says.

Bryant, a Sylacauga, Ala., native and off-and-on Fort Walton Beach resident, loves 1970s and '80s rock, blues and some country and grunge.

Together, they plan to perform 1980s country, rock and oldies during the Triple B Cookoff.

Q&A

How did you two meet?

SHEA: We met at a bar (where) he was playing. I got up and sang "Strawberry Wine," and not long after that we started singing together.

BRANDON: I have been a working musician for over 20 years. I met Shea at one of my gigs almost 4 years ago.

 What's the most fun you've had on stage?

SHEA: I was able to sing with Brandon's band, Superface, about a month ago at Helen Back in Crestview and I had so much fun. I've never sang with a full band before, so it was very exciting.

BRANDON:  I have been playing (professional gigs)  for over 20 years and love every minute of every gig I have ever been fortunate enough to play.

What's your musical instrument of choice?

SHEA: I don't play guitar or bass, so the tambourine would be my instrument of choice. I also enjoy the chicken shake (an egg-shaped rattle).

BRANDON: Guitar has always been my favorite instrument, because in my opinion it is the easiest instrument to demonstrate emotion with.

What do you like to do off stage?

SHEA: I love to watch movies… Red Box, the theater and at home. I'm addicted to Candy Crush (the Facebook game), so I play that all the time, along with several other games. I love to get outdoors as often as possible as well. 

BRANDON: I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, friends and my dogs.

What's your crowd-pleasing 'go-to' song?

SHEA: We have a few that usually bring the house down. "Brand New Key" by Melanie; "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" by Tom Petty, featuring Stevie Nicks; and "Boondocks" by Little Big Town.

BRANDON: So many to choose from, but I love to play songs that I have written because it seems more natural to put a point across when (I) have lived it and written it. It just feels more personal.

So when you're cooking, what's on your barbecue grill?

SHEA: Our barbecue grill hasn't been used in quite a while, but when I do use the grill, I prefer charcoal and to smoke the food with hickory. Such a great flavor.

My favorite dish to cook, as well as Brandon's favorite to eat, is roasted red pepper chicken fettuccini alfredo. I also like to cook soup. Potato, and soup a la cabinet, as I call it, which is a soup with whatever I can find in the cabinets!

BRANDON: Chicken, chicken, chicken!

MORE INFORMATION:

For videos of Shea Bryant and Brandon Day performing, see:

"Gimme Back My Heart": http://bit.ly/1xvjUBC

Jimi Hendrix to Led Zeppelin montage: http://bit.ly/1HXuCHf

"Sleepwalk": http://bit.ly/1xbK9Cy

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: FWB couple to perform country, rock and oldies

Editor's Note: Dismal Creek's performance  is 11 a.m. March 28 at the Triple B Cookoff on Main Street in downtown Crestview.

Your Facebook page states Dismal Creek "set out to bring their mountain roots to the beaches of the Panhandle and beyond." Which mountains?

Jim Hall, our guitar player, is from Denver, Colo., originally. Dub Bryant, our bass player, is from the north Georgia foothills of the Appalachians. Neil Sebree, on mandolin, is from the Appalachian hills of Ohio … I was born and raised in Missouri in the mystic Ozark mountains. No place I'd rather be!

Your group had big wins in the Seventh Annual Beachcomber Music Awards March 2 in Destin. Best Bluegrass Artist; Best Country Artist; Best Folk Artist; and for you, Best Instrumentalist and Musician of the Year. How'd you celebrate?

 I'm gonna have to redirect questions pertaining to the night of March 2 to our lawyer.

What do you think it is about your music that strikes a chord with your fans?

I think people can appreciate the honesty of string band music, and that it brings everyone back to a more simple time. And it's just good old-fashioned party music!

What can Triple B attendees expect?

 A song about the old cabin home. Moving away from the place you love and coming back to find they tore it down and built a 7-Eleven.

What's your favorite Northwest Florida venue?

Grayt grounds in Grayton Beach. RIP. (The Grayt Coffee House closed its doors on March 15.)

What do you guys enjoy doing off stage?

Jim likes romantic walks on the beach, Neil likes sailing and competitive wing eating. Dub is into drag racing and monster trucks and I spend most of my time on farmersonly.com.

What's next for the group?

I tell ya, we got the release of an album coming out in the next month containing traditional bluegrass tunes, then later this year we are releasing an album of original material; several tours and bluegrass festivals. I ain't had this much fun since the hogs ate my brother!

ONLINE

For more on Dismal Creek, see http://dismalcreek.com, Facebook.com/dismalcreek and www.reverbnation.com/q/5og7gw.

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Q&A with Dismal Creek banjo player Rick Stanfield

CRESTVIEW — This year's Triple B raffle started with a barbecue grill.

It was a seemingly simple, commonsense raffle prize for a barbecue festival.

And then it grew.

And it grew.

And it grew some more.

After Triple B Cookoff Chairman Derek Lott, of CCB Bank, secured the donation of a $350 stainless steel Better Homes and Gardens gas grill from Wal-Mart, it seemed the task was done.

“That’s how it started,” Lott said. “Then every month, I thought, just to make it a little more exciting, we went to different sponsors to see if they wanted to get their name out there.”

As Wal-Mart had already contributed a grill cover and grill utensils, Summerlin Truck Outfitters added a $250 Engel Deep Blue cooler to the package.

Soon, other area businesses jumped on the chance.

Hub City Ford provided a selection of gourmet meats from Carroll’s Sausage and Meats Country Store.

Publix supermarket added a $50 gift card.

Lott’s bank chipped in a $100 VISA gift card.

Saturday, someone will reap the rewards. Raffle tickets cost $1 each and are available at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce office, 1447 Commerce Drive, next to the Community Center.

They'll also be sold during the event at the chamber’s booth near the Florida Lottery stage.

Proceeds benefit the chamber’s nonprofit programs that support the community and its member businesses, including public events such as the Triple B and fall Wine Gala.

“You got a super-good grill. You got meat to throw on it,” Lott said. “You got a super-good cooler. You got gift cards to buy whatever else you need. All you need is friends and you’re good to go.

“And you’ll have 12,000 of them on Main Street if you win.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: The grill raffle that grew

CRESTVIEW — As Tucker Ewing, Mike Ingram and Charlie Buice prepare for their 12:30 p.m. Saturday performance, they're putting finishing touches on their first album.

The Rips' debut album, which is all about vintage surf rock, is scheduled for a spring release. Copies will be available in early April at their upcoming shows, and on iTunes.

And the Destin band's anticipation is building.

"We are incredibly excited about this album," Ewing said. "(It) will really showcase our sound: classic and vintage, yet original and catchy."

Q&A

Where are you from?

Tucker Ewing, lead vocalist and bass guitarist: Born and raised in Colorado; lives in Santa Rosa Beach. Mike Ingram, vocalist and electric guitarist: Born and raised in Destin. Charlie Buice: Born and raised in Fort Walton Beach.

(To the vocalists) With the guitars, beards and matching sunglasses, I have to ask: Are you guys related? Ha ha! We have no blood relation, but we certainly feel like family!

How long have you been making music together? Charlie and Mike have been playing in different bands together for years. And after meeting Tucker in November of 2014, The Rips were formed.

Why did you become a musician?

Tucker: I remember being captivated by bands and musicians at a young age, and knowing that I wanted to be on stage.

But the real turning point for me was when I started writing my own music. At that point, I quickly realized that singing and playing my own music was my favorite thing in the world.

What's in store for Triple B attendees?

Our tunes are inspired by music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, meaning, our sound has vintage guitar tones, catchy grooves and sticky melodies that you can't get out of your head.

What's your favorite song to perform as a guitarist? As a drummer?

For all of us, playing songs that we wrote is the most fulfilling. 

What's next for The Rips?

The future is looking very bright for us. We will be playing locally along the Gulf Coast through the summer, and then we will begin doing small tours starting in the fall.

From there, we plan to keep traveling, writing and recording, as much as possible.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

See The Rips' photos, videos and performance dates at www.facebook.com/theripstunes and www.theripstunes.com.

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Surfer rock group to play before new album drops

Participating barbecue cookoff competitors, as of this writing, include Funny Farm BBQ, Kickin' Ash Since '68 and Ranch House Kitchen, but competitors often sign up at the last minute, and more are expected according to event organizers.

This year's competitors also include Bel Aire Terrace Apartments, Black’s Magic BBQ, Double Deuce Smokin’ BBQ, Funny Farm BBQ, Hub City Smokehouse, Jackson’s BBQ Catering, Kickin’ Ash Since ‘68, Matthew’s Real B-B-Q & Catering, Pigstickers, Poverty Hill Smokers, Ranch House Kitchen, Ricky J’s BBQ, The Little Smokehouse and Two Brothers Bar-b-que.

Two-part People’s Choice tickets can be purchased for $1 each. Take the ticket’s “sample” portion to any participating barbecue competitor in exchange for a taste of their food.

After sampling various competitors’ offerings, bring your ticket’s “vote” portion to any Triple B information booth along Main Street, where each participating competitor will have a bucket for their tickets. The People’s Choice Award winner —announced at 5 p.m. — will win the People’s Cup Trophy and a cash prize.

Fifteen groups competed in last year's barbecue cookoff, according to a Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce list.

SCHEDULE

10 a.m.: Opening ceremonies, including the national anthem, sung by Meaghan North of Crestview.  The Emerald Coast Young Marines will present the colors, and Mike Wright Reynolds will emcee on the north end stage. Ceremonies coincide with the start of the barbecue competition.

11 a.m.: Dismal Creek

12:30 p.m.: The Rips    

1:30 p.m.: The Okaloosa Sound

3:20p.m.: The Good Lookings  

5 p.m.: Awards ceremony for barbecue competition winners

6 p.m.: Event ends

Editor's Note: Patrons also can enjoy illusions by Black & Co., music by Blackbird and The Okaloosa Sound, and demonstrations from Gordon Martial Arts students. Times for these events was not scheduled by press deadline.

•••

EVENT SPONSOR: COX

Platinum Sponsors: CCB Community Bank, CenturyLink, Lee Buick GMC and Okaloosa Gas District

Gold Sponsors: Asurion, Childcare Network, Community Bank, Legal Shield and Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center

Silver Sponsors: Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, First NBC Bank, Gordon Martial Arts, Gulf Power, Okaloosa Title & Abstract Co., and STO Summerlin Truck Outfitter & Service

Bronze Sponsors: Chessher Motors, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Emerald Coast Dermatology, Jays Guns & Accessories, Holloway & Hardy PLLC, Main Street Land Title Co. LLC, Moulton Land Title, Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union, Shaw Moving & Storage, The Fred Astaire Dance Studio and The Lewis Diamond Gallery

Partners: City of Crestview, Emergent Recording & Production House, Florida Lottery and North Okaloosa Medical Center, Wise Equipment, Cumulus Media, Walmart, Publix

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Competitors, schedule and event sponsors

Welcome to the city of Crestview and the exciting Triple B Festival! (It's scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 on Main Street in Crestview.)

You will find the tastiest barbecue here, accompanied by outstanding bluegrass music and the best of the Blackwater River — all in our historic downtown district on Crestview's Main Street.

Enjoy the day with your family, try the many varieties of barbecue, and don't be afraid to tap your toes to America's most authentic music.

Our hospitality is second to none, and we are sure you will be planning another visit real soon to the Hub City of Northwest Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Crestview mayor welcomes cookoff attendees