Punta Gorda Hosts Magic on the Water -- Celebrating Release of Jim Morris Album with Jerry Jeff Walker

The four-day music extravaganza "Magic on the Water" celebrating the release of  local Florida trop-folk-rock singer Jim Morris and his Big Bamboo Band's lastest album "Working Hard to Do Nothing" kicked off last night with a concert in Laishley Park.  Concurrently  John Reno -- trop rocker from Lousianna, appeared at the Ice House singing many of his humorous laid-back tunes. (If you like Morris you want to catch John Reno while he is in the area -- he will be at the Navigator on the 24th of the month).
   
Tonight's highlight is  a wine and cheese reception and acoustic show at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Events and Conference Center where Morris and the band will entertain with new songs from the CD.

But the pièce de résistance comes Saturday with a concert featuring legendary Jerry Jeff Walker, best known for his song, “Mr. Bojangles,” but more celebrated by fans for the likes of "London Homesick Blues' ("I wanna go home with the armadillo") "Leavin' Texas" "LA Freeway" "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother" etc.   Jim Morris does many of these Walker songs at his local concerts. 

For those unfamiliar with Jerry Jeff, he actually started life in New York as Ronald Clyde Crosby. After failing to make it on the east coast, however, in the 70s, he settled in Austin, Texas,changed his name and became part of the Texas country outlaw scene that included artists such as Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, and Townes Van Zandt. Willie Nelson actually opened for Jerry Jeff back in the 70s. 

Jerry Jeff Walker will perform with Morris at the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte at 7 PM Saturday, April 10.

Sunday, April 11,  is the CD release party in Laishley Park at 1 p.m. during which  Morris and the band will perform and sign copies of the new CD.