Gulf Coast Pepsi Jam

Story & Photography by Campbell Entertainment & Kayla Burleson

The 8th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam – rescheduled twice from its original September 2020 date - wrapped Sunday night having seen record crowds enter Frank Brown Park in beautiful Panama City Beach at the first large-scale music festival to play in the U.S. in over 15 months. Headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan and 20+ other acts performed for over 23,000 live music-starved fans each day, setting attendance records over the 2019 event. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely credited for the festival taking place last week, received a wild ovation when he addressed the crowd during a surprise visit Sunday night. “We knew our Jammers were ready to get out, but we sure didn’t expect to break records,” said Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “We waited 20 months for this to happen, and it was definitely worth the wait,” he added, referring to the last Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam playing September, 2019. “The best comment I heard from someone was, ‘it was great to get out and feel music again.’” For most artists on the bill, including all three headliners, the Festival was their first time on stage in at least 15 months. Riggers and stage hands, who hadn’t built a set or hung a speaker in as many months, cried when they arrived on site to begin constructing the massive roof and stage. Such was the case for many staff, artists and crews, who treated the weekend like a long-overdue family reunion. Friday kicked off with 2019 Pepsi Southern Original winner Frank Ray, who recently signed a deal with BBR Music Group. Hit singer/songwriter CJ Solar, Jon Langston, Lindsay Ell, Joe Nichols and Cody Jinks followed before venerable Southern Rock favorites Lynyrd Skynyrd took to the stage on the first night of their re-branded Big Wheels Keep On Turnin’ Tour. Brad Paisley headlined Saturday night after Cole Swindell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Rodney Atkins, Tenille Townes, Shy Carter and Alex Hall performed. During Paisley’s set, he knelt down to autograph the small plastic guitar being held up by a young fan, and then he took off his own guitar and gave it to her. Pepsi Southern Original winner Tom Yankton opened the music on Sunday and was followed by Shelly Fairchild. Tenille Arts was next, and for the first time heard a crowd of thousands singing along to her #1 hit “Somebody Like That.” Walker Hayes and Riley Green were next before Brothers Osborne showed why they are one of the most popular country acts in the format. The screams for Luke Bryan were deafening by the time he hit the stage. Between hits, he made good on a promise with American Idol winner Chayce Beckham to invite him on stage to perform. Luke sang one song with the fan favorite before handing the mic over for Beckham to sing an acoustic version of his “23” single. “The only reason we get to be here in Panama City Beach is because we have the best governor in the world,” Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon said as he addressed the crowd Sunday night. “I think it’s only appropriate that we thank him in person,” before bringing the popular governor on stage to speak to the crowd. “It was amazing to see this family come back together after a long 20 months,” Sheldon added. “Panama City Beach was ready, our staff was ready, our first responders were ready and most of all our fans were ready to get out and enjoy this amazing event again.” Friday night before Skynyrd hit the stage, Lovelady announced Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn and Old Dominion will headline the 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam September 4-6, 2021 in Panama City Beach. Tickets, parking passes and more are currently available at www. GulfCoastJam.com.