By Paul Bonnette
For over a decade, Gulf Coast Jam, one of the southeast’s largest country music festivals has been bringing “Country to the Coast” to Panama City Beach showcasing some of country music’s biggest stars. Every year, thousands of visitors and locals alike pack into Frank Brown Park for great vendors, delicious food, and of course, country music. For many years, Gulf Coast Jam was a staple event on Labor Day Weekend with the festival becoming synonymous with college football and the last days of summer. The festival was then moved up earlier in the summer, leaving a gap in Labor Day tourism. In order to bridge the gap, Gulf Coast Jam organizers announced a brand-new country music festival in addition to the current Gulf Coast Jam.
Kick Off Jam will be a 3-day star-studded festival featuring 18 musical acts, running August 30–September 1 at Frank Brown Park. The lineup includes Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, the band Alabama with special guest star Randy Travis, as well as numerous other country music artists such as Pam Tillis, Jamey Johnson, Tyler Farr, Oak Ridge Boys, Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and more.
Garth Brooks took to social media to help announce the festival declaring that with availability to only do one outdoor gig per year, he was excited for it to be Panama City Beach. Kick Off Jam will be a country music celebration that celebrates five decades of country music on Panama City Beach.
For Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady, securing Garth Books fulfills a mission, years in the making. “I’ve been trying to get Garth Brooks for my festivals for years and it’s always been ‘no.’ He’s excited. Panama City Beach is where Garth came for summer vacation when he was a kid. That’s why he’s doing this, he is doing this to celebrate where he came from and to be a part of it.”
For Lovelady, Kick Off Jam promises to be bigger than anything before it. “I’ve been doing this for 40 years, and without question, this is the biggest show we’ve ever put on. We’re excited to celebrate five decades of Country music in Panama City Beach!”
Alabama will headline on Friday, August 30 with Carrie Underwood performing on Saturday, August 31. Garth Brooks will take the stage on Sunday, September 1. For more information and tickets visit www.kickoffjampcb.com.
