I learned about Frank Brown when I was down for the Shrimp Festival which occurs before FBISF. I bought one of the CDs they were selling and upon listening to it I thought the music on all the songs was exceptional but all the guys songs were whiney about their woman left them on account of their drinking, running around, and not earning any money and how they wanted them back. All the mens' songs sounded alike but the songs by the women were better and more upbeat. So the next year I applied and Reneada put me on the performer's list. They put me up in a really nice condiminum with two bedrooms and two baths and a kitchen. I was only booked to play one venue but played all the open mics I could find. After a few years of this my younger brother Robert wanted to join me so he applied and was accepted. One time we were both scheduled to play the Florabama on a Sunday for, I think it was two hours or maybe three. Saturday night Robert went back home because as a deacon he didn't want to miss church. That left me to play that slot by myself. I have a playlist I go by and I played every song on it and some of them twice. I didn't take any breaks because I was afraid I would lose my audience so I finally opened it up to any musicians in the audience to come up and play a few songs just like an open mic. And they did. Dona paid me and gave me two free drink tickets which I lost. I would have got a Bushwhacker but one of those things can give you a buzz on and make you slur your words. I come back every year because I love being a part of it and meet new people each time along with the regulars. I met Buzz Kiefer there. He is one more crazy dude with some great songs. Talk about women - that place is covered up with women. Cassie stopped me once and asked me if I thought it was normal for one of her boobs to hang down lower than the other two. I had no answer for that one and as you can see I haven't forgotten it. Gulf Shores is a little cooler and a little windier that time of year but it is still Paradise.
Eddie R