Your TRMA Academy Members
Academy Member: Todd Trusty
www.ToddTrustyMusic.com As a long-time Parrot Head, Todd has been influenced by the tropical laid back styles of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Trop Rock artists such as Kelly McGuire, John Frinzi and Jim Morris. Performing for people, however, was not exactly something Todd dreamed of doing since his teen years and it never seemed like…
Academy Member: Tim Campbell
www.tropicallatitudesband.com Born and raised in Virginia he embraces the Margaritaville lifestyle and loves to perform trop rock music every chance he gets. A singer/songwriter, his songs “Island Time” and “Welcome to Paradise” are currently playing on several trop rock radio stations.
Academy Member: Randy Moore
www.RandyCMoore.com “Mister Roy (Acuff) had one of the finest bands I’ve ever played with. We did a goosed-up version of my record, ‘Mountain Dew’ and it was just so much fun. An amazing experience for a kid of 18.” He made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University to learn the modern recording arts…
Academy Member: Jonas Lorence
www.JonasLorence.com The Jonas Lorence Band is a party band that specializes in Texas Trop Rock with a blues edge but we also cover lots of fun classic rock and original tunes. The goal for our show is fun, we love audience participation and to keep the party going. If you enjoy jamming to Jimmy Buffett…
Academy Member: Tiki Thom Starkey
www.ThomStarkey.com From Key West to Waikiki Thom (Tiki Thom as known by his fans) has entertained audiences across the country. A favorite at Parrothead Festivals, Tiki Bars, Corporate Events, Campgrounds and Local Watering Holes. His unique blend of original hits, classic favorites and downeast humor is guaranteed to leave you smiling. Thom’s original songs have…
Academy Member: Danny Rosado
www.DannyRosado.com Born and raised in the heart of the Tennessee Valley, Danny Rosado is a Trop Rock, Sandgrass, and Americana singer / songwriter from Huntsville, AL. Danny released his debut solo album, “Beach Boy Coming Home,” in May 2017, and currently performs as one half of the Trop Rock duo, Danny Lowers the Boom. As…
Academy Member (Musician): Quincy Yeates
www.RamajayIntercoastal.com A naturally gifted songwriter born on the Caribbean Island of Tobago, his journey into music began at age 10 where he started playing Clarinet, then promoted to Oboe for the Tobago Youth Orchestra helmed by the great Newman Alexander. With the push of his Grandmother, Hermia Yeates, a retired Elementary/Primary School Principal, lessons in…
Academy Member: John Frinzi
www.JohnFrinzi.com A gifted singer and songwriter, skillful on both guitar and piano, John Frinzi has built an audience through craft and originality. An early demo caught the ear of legendary steel guitarist and long time Coral Reefer Band member Doyle Grisham, and their working relationship led to John’s first CD, “Into The Dawn.” His second…
Academy Member: Erica Sunshine Lee
www.EricaSunshineLee.com Erica Sunshine Lee is “The hardest working woman in country music.” Sunshine is a prolific songwriter and Nashville Recording Artist and International touring ‘Georgia Gypsy.’ Sunshine just released her 8th original album titled “Buried Treasure,” penning all 12 brand new songs. Since 2007, Sunshine has been a full-time road warrior, performing around 300 shows…
Academy Member: Brooke Graham
Brookegrahamtunes.com A 6th generation Texan and super proud of it, Brooke has gained much recognition in her home state as one of the new up and coming Texas singer/songwriters. She not only captures the views and attitudes of a Southern home-grown woman, but also draws her organic, agricultural roots to surface in her lyrical style…
Academy Member: Mike McEnery
http://jshrimp.com/ Mike McEnery’s short career as a stand-up comedian lasted only three gigs. But by a strange twist of fate, two of these gigs were opening for Jay Leno, whose only advice was “Write your own material, kid!” As it turns out, that advice was helpful a bit later in life. After years as the…
Academy Member: Boomer Blake
https://boomerblake.com/ Boomer Blake is a Singer/ Songwriter whose lyrics & stories fall into the Tropical Rock genre, but a childhood of influences the likes of Billy Joel, James Taylor, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and the Doobie Brothers means his musical arrangements can span a wide range of rhythms and styles! Boomer was raised in Northern…
Academy Member: Todd Sparks
https://www.toddsparks.com/welcome.html Bios are boring! Most are self-congratulatory pats-on-the back of accomplishments that if you’re famous, everybody already knows and if you’re not, nobody cares! The only importance of where we were, is usually the fact that it defines where we will go. I’ll use this space for that theme! In the beginning: Family! My family!…
Academy Member: Charlie Imes
http://charlieimes.com/ Before relocating to Southwestern Florida, Charlie Imes made quite a name for himself in his adopted hometown of San Diego. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he played in rock bands in high school. Charlie developed his personal style of laid-back, jazzy-beach-folk-rock music on front &…
Academy Member: Chris Bellamy
http://www.chrisbellamy.com/ Chris Bellamy…Performing Artist, Songwriter, Recording Producer, Master Guitar Player, Studio Engineer, Music Career Consultant and Owner at Chris Bellamy Publishing. Chris is a signed Artist at Silver Buckle Records in Fort Worth, Texas. That’s a lot of hats to wear! Add to that, one hundred and fifty plus dates a year, where he is…
Academy Member: Steve McCloud
http://www.theflipflopman.com/ The Flip Flop Man Steve McCloud grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and began playing music in bands at the age of 13. At age 21 Steve hit the road playing in various bands, departing from Indiana and heading out across the mid-west and then travelling south. By the mid – 80’s, Steve had travelled…
Academy Member: Brian Fields
www.bmmbhz.com It all started at a Parrot Head Party with margaritas, good friends and some guitars and now the rest is history! B-Man & mi-Shell live the island life in Key West, Florida. Many know may know them as the band B-Man & The MizzBeeHavens but now live in what they call “The Gateway to…
Academy Member: Aaron Scherz
wwww.aaronscherz.com IT ALL STARTED WITH A LITTLE RUM… …and a mom who raised him on good music. Jimmy Buffett, John Denver, James Taylor and others. Aaron always knew he was going to do something “different”. But he couldn’t have imagined that “different” would involve tropical islands, sail boats, catamarans, Parrotheads, Meeting Of The Minds, Coral…
Academy Member: Matt Hoggatt
https://bayoutroubadour.com/ Former Bourbon Street performer, radio DJ, and police detective, Matt is part songwriter and part storyteller. Known nationally for his work with Jimmy Buffett and Sirius XM, Matt spends his free time, performing at his favorite places around the country. You can catch Matt’s weekly “Bayou Troubadour Show” on RadioTropRock.com every Sunday at 12…
TRMA Award Winners
It's awards season Trop Rock fans!
Definition of Trop Rock Music: Tropical Rock (or Trop Rock) is a genre of popular music that incorporates elements of Rock and Roll, Country, Caribbean, Reggae or other musical genres to create a laid-back or “escapist” state of mind. Trop Rock may create its tropical or “island vibe” either with tropical or island-like instrumentation and production, or with beach, tropical or escapist lyrical themes, or both.
2020 Annual TRMA Nominees
1. Male Vocalist
Awarded to the top vote getter for excellence in performing and recording by a trop rock male vocalist, including a male vocalist performing in a duo, trio or band, during the eligibility year.
- Aaron Scherz
- Bob Karwin
- Donny Brewer
- James "Sunny Jim" White
- Mike Nash
2. Female Vocalist
Awarded to the top vote getter for excellence in performing and recording by a trop rock female vocalist, including a female vocalist performing in a duo, trio or band, during the eligibility year.
- Aubrey Wollett
- Erica Sunshine Lee
- Heather Vidal
- Isabella Stefania
- Robin Tricker
3. Duo/Trio
Awarded to the top vote getter for excellence in performing or recording as a trop rock duo or trio during the eligibility year.
- The Dententions
- Highway 1
- Thom & Coley
- Tropicool
- Latitude
4. Band
Awarded to the top vote getter for excellence in performing or recording as a trop rock band of four or more members during the eligibility year.
- The Boat Drunks
- Donny Brewer & The Dock Rockers
- Jimmy & The Parrots
- Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band
- Trop Rock Junkies
5. Entertainer of the Year
Awarded to the top vote getting Trop Rock solo, duo, trio or band, for excellence in all aspects of entertaining, including live performance, recording, song writing, video and broadcast, during the eligibility year. There are 6 entries this year due to a tie for 5th.
- Bob Karwin
- Donny Brewer
- Erica Sunshine Lee
- Mike Nash
- James "Sunny Jim" White
- Steve Tolliver
6. Album
Awarded to the top vote getting qualifying trop rock album, defined as an independent release of eight or more songs or 30 minutes of playing time, released during the eligible year, or in the 12 months preceding the eligibility year if the album was not on the final ballot in the preceding awards period. Awarded to Artist and Producer(s) (if the producer(s) is/are other than artist).
- Ocean Road - Aaron Scherz (Aaron Scherz)
- Eat, Beach, Sleep, Repeat - Reggie Starrett (Jeremy Scruggs)
- The Miles Between - Bob Karwin (Donny Brewer)
- Livin' The Dream - Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band (Michael Shehan & Johnny Russler)
- Stay Thirsty - Mike Nash (Dave Demay)
7a. Song
Awarded to the Songwriter (listed in parenthesis). Given to the top vote getting qualifying trop rock song released during the eligible year, or in the 12 months preceding the eligibility year if the song was not on the final ballot in the preceding awards period. The song need not be part of a qualifying album. This category is open to all artists, not only TRMA Academy members like other categories. Check them out!
- "Tacos, Tequila & Trop Rock" - Donny Brewer (Donny Brewer/Johnny Russler)
- "Professional Drinker" - The Detentions (Dan Sullivan/Donny Brewer)
- "Beach Town" - Aaron Scherz (Aaron Scherz, Johnny Bulford, Heidi Raye)
- "Down by the Coastline" - Boomer Blake (Boomer Blake)
- "Whole Lotta Beaches" - Reggie Starrett (Reggie Starrett)
- "Will You Be My Shore" - Jack Mosley (Jack Mosley)
- "Bad Bitch" - Erica Sunshine Lee (Erica Sunshine Lee)
- "Postcards From The Road" - Mike Nash (Mike Nash/Aaron Scherz)
- "Hammock in Havana" - Jesse Rice (Jesse Rice)
- "Somewhere in the Caribbean" - Paul Overstreet (Paul Overstreet)
7b. Single
Awarded to the Songwriter (listed in parenthesis). Given to the top vote getting qualifying trop rock song released during the eligible year, or in the 12 months preceding the eligibility year if the song was not on the final ballot in the preceding awards period. The song need not be part of a qualifying album. This category is open to all artists, not only TRMA Academy members like other categories. Check them out!
- "Tacos, Tequila & Trop Rock" - Donny Brewer (Donny Brewer)
- "Beach Town" - Aaron Scherz (Aaron Scherz)
"Verona Corona" - Jonas Lorence (Ron Flynt & Jonas Lorence) - "Down by the Coastline" - Boomer Blake (Danny Rosado)
- "Whole Lotta Beaches" - Reggie Starrett (Clay Page)
- "YOLO" - Joe Downing (Nathan Smith)
- "When the Aliens Came" - Jack Mosley (Dave Signs/Jack Mosley)
- "Single for the Summer" - Erica Sunshine Lee (Chip Martin/Erica Sunshine Lee) "Shore Thang" - Thom & Coley (Thom Shepherd & Coley McCabe Shepherd)
- "Hammock in Havana" - Jesse Rice (Nick Gibbens/Jesse Rice)
8. Music Video of the Year
Awarded to the top vote getting official artist-sanctioned music video for a qualifying trop rock song, which video was released during the eligible year, or in the 12 months preceding the eligibility year if the video was not on the final ballot in the preceding awards period. The song need not have been released in the eligibility year. Awarded to Artist(s) and Video producer/director (in parenthesis). Check them out!
- "When They Bring Back Happy Hour" - Don Middlebrook (Don Middlebrook/Sherry Perry) "Verona Corona" - Jonas Lorence (Jonas Lorence)
- "When the Aliens Came" - Jack Mosley (Jack Mosley)
- "Nobody Wins in Vegas" - Erica Sunshine Lee (Josh Mendez/Erica Sunshine Lee)
- "I Know You" - Bob Karwin (Bob Karwin)
9. Best Album Art/Packaging
Awarded to the top vote getting trop rock album or EP cover art/design and packaging for an album or EP released during the eligibility year, or in the 12 months preceding the eligibility year for an album was not on the final ballot in the preceding awards year for Album of the Year or Best Art/Packaging. Awarded to artist and designer/artist (in parenthesis). Check them out!
- Ocean Road - Aaron Scherz (Aaron Scherz)
- Eat, Beach, Sleep, Repeat - Reggie Starrett (Reggie Starrett)
- The Miles Between - Bob Karwin (Bob Karwin/Donny Brewer)
- Stay Thirsty - Mike Nash (Mike Nash)
- It's Still Summer Somewhere - James "Sunny Jim" White (Adela White/Hallie C. White
10. Horizon Award
Awarded to the top vote-getting Trop Rock solo, duo, trio, or band who shows the most promise for contributing to the Trop Rock genre through performance, songwriting and recording. Previous winners are not eligible. There are 6 entries because there was a tie for 5th.
The following previous winners are not eligible: Danny Rosado, Cory Young, Jesse Rice, Donny Brewer, Brittany Kingery, The Southern Drawl Band, John Friday, Jimi Pappas, Capt. Josh, Jimmy Parrish, Troy Allan, PHINS
- Aubrey Wollett
- Erica Sunshine Lee
- Joe Downing
- Jonas Lorence
- Paul Overstreet
- Robin Tricker
11. Musician
Awarded to the top vote getting trop rock musicians for outstanding musicianship, intended to recognize band members, or musicians for excellence in performing and/or recording in support of trop rock artists during the eligibility year.
- Alan Jax Bowers (percussion)
- John Patti (steel pan)
- Johnny Doolittle (bass guitar)
- Mark Mireles (steel pan)
- Steve Way (percussion)
12. Songwriter
Awarded to the top vote getter for excellence in trop rock songwriting.
- Aaron Scherz
- Donny Brewer
- Erica Sunshine Lee
- Paul Overstreet
- Jack Mosley
13. Radio Station
Awarded to a radio station for excellence in trop rock radio broadcasting during the eligibility year.
- Shore Life Radio
- Palapa Mac Radio
- Radio Trop Rock
- Tiki Man Radio
- Songwriter's Island Radio
14. Radio Program
There are two Radio Program categories on the ballot - "live" and "recorded". Please vote for one show in each category.
Radio Program - Live
- "Trop Rockin' The USA" - Eric & Gina Babin
- "Sunday Morning With the Tiki Man" - The Tiki Man & The Original Hippie Chick
- "Island Time Radio Show" - Dennis King & DKtheDJ
Radio Program - Prerecorded
- "4 & 4 With Gina" - Gina Babin
- "Tropical Play with DK" - Dennis King
- "Beach Bars & Guitars" - Johnny Russler
- "Happy Hour 2.0" - Greg Dumas
- "Bayou Troubadour" - Matt Hoggatt
15. Live Music Venue
Awarded to the top vote getting venue for outstanding presentation of live trop rock music during the eligibility year.
- Nav-A-Gator Bar & Grill - Lake Suzy, FL
- Smokin' Tuna Saloon - Key West, FL
- T-Bone Tom's - Kemah, TX
- Tropical Isle - New Orleans, LA
- Whiskey Joe's - Tampa, FL
16. House Concert Venue
Small & Large Awarded to the top vote getter for outstanding house concert venue - small and large, based on annual attendance with the threshold to be determined annually at the discretion of the Awards committee. Awarded to the
host/hostesses of non-profit concert-style home-based venues featuring Trop Rock artists.
House Concert Venue - Small
- Casa Brown - Craig & Jill Brown
- Isla Bella - Fred & Sara Guererro
- The Postcard - Dean & Terrie McClain
- Wester-Rita-Ville - Mike & Becky Carpenter
House Concert Venue - Large
- Casa Tortooga - Kevin & Tish Disston
- The Habitat - Ken & Heather Settlemyer
- Port of Indecision - Dan & Sharon Mueller
- The Yard - Mark & Sharon Leverett
17. Event of the Year
Small & Large Awarded to the top vote getters for outstanding events, small and large, featuring multiple trop rock artists. Meeting of the Minds is excluded from this category because it is a National Convention. Small and large categories based on total registration, with the threshold to be determined annually at the discretion of the awards committee.
Event of the Year - Small
- A1A Beach Bash - St. Augustine Beach, FL
- Lone Star Luau - Marble Falls, TX
- Phins to the West - Mesquite, NV
- Summer ChILL - Schaumburg, IL
- Trop Rockin' The Ozarks - Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Event of the Year - Large
- Music on the Bay - Tampa, FL
- Pardi Gras - New Orleans, LA
18. Music Business Professional of the Year
Awarded to the top vote getter for outstanding performance as a music business professional during the eligibility year. Eligible music business professionals include: operators or executives of independent record companies, music publishing companies and media companies; journalists; booking agents and managers; concert promoters; producers of music, broadcast or film; legal and accounting professionals, etc.
Nominees and winners are selected by TRMA academy members and will be announced at the awards show.
19. Fan of the Year
This award recognizes a Trop Rock "fan" for their support and promotion of Trop Rock music. It is meant for an individual/couple and not a group. Previous winners are NOT eligible.
The following previous winners are NOT eligible: Diana Christ, Fred Wunder, Colleen Fuchs, Debbie Hess, Marc & Tammy Hollander, Sam & Gina Densler, Steven "Koz" Kozlowski, Tami Tower, Dave & Carolyn McBride, Dale & Peach Hench, Gary & Patti Janco, Shirley Gates
- Kristen McFadden
- Linda Robb
- Roger & Donna Beam Sheila Jorgerson
- Tom Klinker & Nancy Martin