Gulf Coast Jam Fest starts Thursday

This weekend’s Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam has got a lineup that can’t be beat.

From country legends like Charlie Daniels, Trace Adkins and Toby Keith, to hot young performers like Darryl Worley, Eli Young Band, Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert – this event will have something for everyone.

Starting Thursday and going through Saturday, stages will open all over Panama City Beach: Boardwalk Beach Resort on Thomas Drive, Frank Brown Park on Back Beach Road, Edgewater Beach Resort on Front Beach Road, Club La Vela on Thomas Drive and the Harley-Davidson Stage in Seahaven.

Gates at most of the stages will open at 9 a.m., with performances going until 3 p.m. when the action on the main stage at Frank Brown Park will pick up. After hours performances will go into the early morning hours at Club La Vela.

Thursday night, Trace Adkins takes the main stage at Frank Brown Park from 9:15 to 10:45. Adkins debuted in 1995 with the album “Dreamin’ Out Loud” and has since released seven more original albums and two greatest hits compilations. He has had more than 20 Billboard country music chart hits including No. 1s: “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

He’s also been on “Hollywood Squares” and “The Celebrity Apprentice,” as well as authored an autobiography called “A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck” and appeared in the movie “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

Friday night’s main event gets devilish when The Charlie Daniels Band takes the stage at Frank Brown Park from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Daniels is best known for his No. 1 Country hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” but has been performing since the 1950s. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum in 2009.

He’s followed by Brantley Gilbert from 9:15 to 10:45 p.m. Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” was No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs charts in 2011 and in 2012, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” also reached No. 1.

Saturday finishes off the event with Darryl Worley taking the main stage from 6 to 7 p.m. Worley has had 18 singles on Billboard Hot Country charts, including No. 1s “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “Have You Forgotten?” which was No. 1 for seven weeks.

From 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Eli Young Band takes the main stage. The members of Eli Young Band, Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson, met as students at the University of North Texas. Their No. 1 hits include, “Crazy Girl” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

Then Toby Keith finishes it off from 9:15 to 10:45 p.m. A platinum-selling musician and country music writer, Keith hit the scene with the release of his 1993 album “Toby Keith.” He has an extraordinary list of hit singles including: “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” the most played country song of the 1990s; and “How Do You Like Me Now,” the No. 1 country song of 2000.
For complete information, tickets and scheduling go to http://www.gulfcoastjam.com.

Here’s the Lineup

Saturday

Main Stage at Frank Brown Park
4 p.m. – gates open
5-5:30 p.m. – PSO winner
6-7 p.m. – Darryl Worley
Darryl Worley has had 18 singles on Billboard Hot Country charts, including No. 1s “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “Have You Forgotten?” which was No. 1 for seven weeks.
7:30-8:45 p.m. – Eli Young Band
The members of Eli Young Band, Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson, met as students at the University of North Texas. Their No. 1 hits include, “Crazy Girl” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

9:15-10:45 p.m. – Toby Keith
A platinum-selling musician and country music writer, Toby Keith hit the scene with the release of his 1993 album “Toby Keith.” He has an extraordinary list of hit singles including: “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” the most played country song of the 1990s; and “How Do You Like Me Now,” the No. 1 country song of 2000.

Team Cocktail Stage at Boardwalk
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Keelan Donovan
10:45-11:15 a.m. – Gimm-Icky
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Mockingbird Sun
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Black Jack Billy
1:45-3 p.m. – Craig Campbell
3-5 p.m. – DJ Hish

Landshark/Jim Beam Stage at Edgewater
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Slamabama
10:45-11:15 a.m. – Hoss Skelton
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Griffin Peterson
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Tyler Farr
1:45-3 p.m. – Colt Ford

Pepsi Experience Stage at Frank Brown Park
11-11:20 p.m. – after show TBA

Harley-Davidson Stage at Seahaven
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Grayson Rogers Band
10:45-11:15 a.m. – Anthony Orio
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Brothers Osborne
12:30-1:15 p.m. – The Cadillac Three
1:45-3 p.m. – Corey Smith

Late Night Stages at Club La Vela
1:30-2:30 a.m. – Mockingbird Sun
1:30-2:30 a.m. – Zachary Carter

Friday

Main Stage at Frank Brown Park
4 p.m. – gates open
6-7 p.m. – Blackberry Smoke
7:30-8:45 p.m. – The Charlie Daniels Band
Charlie Daniels is best known for his No. 1 Country hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” but has been performing since the 1950s. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum in 2009.
9:15-10:45 p.m. – Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” was No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs charts in 2011 and in 2012, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” also reached No. 1.

Team Cocktail Stage at Boardwalk
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Garrett Miles
10:45-11:15 a.m. – Friends of Lola
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Danielle Peck
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Erik Dylan
1:45-3 p.m. – Tracy Lawrence
3-5 p.m. – DJ Hish

Landshark/Jim Beam Stage at Edgewater
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Ryan Kendrick
10:45-11:15 a.m. – Hannah Ellis
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Michael Ray
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Angie Johnson
1:45-3 p.m. – Chase Rice

Pepsi Experience Stage at Frank Brown Park
11-11:20 p.m. – Cole Taylor after show

Harley-Davidson Stage at Seahaven
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Sarabeth
10:45-11:15 a.m. – PSO 6th runner up
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Chris Weaver Band
12:30-1:15 p.m. – TBA
1:45-3 p.m. – Drake White and The Big Fire

Late Night Stages at Club La Vela
midnight-1 a.m. – Drake White and The Big Fire
midnight-1 a.m. – Zachary Carter
1:30-2:30 a.m. – Erik Dylan
1:30-2:30 a.m. – DNA

Thursday

Main Stage at Frank Brown Park
4 p.m. – gates open
6-7 p.m. – Tate Stevens
7:30-8:45 p.m. – Kip Moore
9:15-10:45 p.m. – Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins debuted in 1995 with the album “Dreamin’ Out Loud” and has since released seven more original albums and two greatest hits compilations. He has had more than 20 Billboard country music chart hits including No. 1s: “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
He’s also been on “Hollywood Squares” and “The Celebrity Apprentice,” as well as authored an autobiography called “A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck” and appeared in the movie “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

Schedule

Team Cocktail Stage at Boardwalk
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Joe Bachman
10:45-11:15 a.m. – The Vespers
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – PSO 2nd runner up
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Katie Armiger
1:45-3 p.m. – Greg Bates
3-5 p.m. – DJ Hish

Landshark/Jim Beam Stage at Edgewater
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – Jordan Covington
10:45-11:15 a.m. – PSO 4th runner up
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – PSO 4th runner up
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Kirstie Lovelady
1:45-3 p.m. – Jerrod Niemann

Pepsi Experience Stage at Frank Brown Park
11-11:20 p.m. – Kirstie Lovelady’s Red Solo Cup After Party

Harley-Davidson Stage at Seahaven
9 a.m. – gates open
10-10:30 a.m. – County Line Road
10:45-11:15 a.m. – PSO 5th runner up
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – PSO 3rd runner up
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Natalie Stovall and The Drive
1:45-3 p.m. – Brett Eldredge

Late Night Stages at Club La Vela
midnight-1 a.m. – The Kicks
midnight-1 a.m. – Zachary Carter
1:30-2:30 a.m. – DNA
1:30-2:30 a.m. – Zachary Carter

Performers’ information was compiled from Wikipedia.
Performance Line-Up was gathered from http://www.gulfcoastjam.com/lineup/

Locals Get in Free to Daytime Concerts Today Only!

The first ever Gulf Coast Jam is hitting Panama City Beach today and organizers have announced that today is “Locals Appreciation Day” and will allow all area residents to attend daytime concerts at any of the stages today at no charge.

It is important to note that this perk is only for today, Thursday, September 26th and only for the daytime shows. You will need tickets for the shows starting this evening. Though are area expects several thousand out of town visitors for this event, there are still some Weekend Passes available.

For ticket information, call 888-512-7469 or visit their website at www.gulfcoastjam.com. General Admission Passes for the weekend are only $139 while supplies last. Panama City Beach country music fans can stay up to date with all the weekend has to offer by downloading the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Mobile App on your smart phone or visiting their Facebook page.

Some of headliners on the line-up include: Trace Adkins on Thursday, Brantley Gilbert on Friday, and the one and only Toby Keith on Saturday. Stages will be at Frank Brown Park, Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort, Boardwalk Beach Resort and Seahaven Beach Resorts.

Beachy Beach brings the love to St. Andrews

Thinking of Building a New Home?

Building a new home has several advantages:

If you have not found the perfect house, you can design one and have it built to be just like you want it.

A new house is low maintenance; you can move in and enjoy it without having to worry about upkeep, repairs, etc… Many new homes include a warranty so you don’t have to worry about unexpected repairs.

New homes have the latest energy saving features to save you money on utilities costs.

Unless you are paying cash or using a builder that offers construction financing, building a house can involve multiple loans to get from start to finish.

Lot financing

Construction financing

Permanent financing

This can be a daunting task with many moving and complex parts. In my 20 years in construction lending I have financed hundreds of houses. I have assisted my clients from start to finish in building houses ranging from less than $100,000 to $1,000,000+. I have made loans for clients to buy, move and renovate 100+ year old historical houses and even financed the renovation of a 100 year old schoolhouse into a residence for a Hollywood videographer. I have financed all types of loans and have the experience to make the process as smooth as possible.

In this post I’ll touch on the basics, but there are too many variable and potential loan structures to cover everything. Feel free to call or email with questions you might have that are not addressed here.

Also, make sure you work with a Realtor through the process. They can provide a wealth of information as to what to expect your house to be valued in comparison to others in the neighborhood, what features will be best for resale, etc… They can also provide recommended builders that will do a great job for you!!

Lot financing can be the most difficult part of the equation to obtain. Most of the banks were financing too much lots and land when the recession hit back in 2007 and are still holding a high concentration of lot loans on the books. For this reason not many banks are making lot loans any more. However, I do have a couple lenders that are still loaning money to buy lots; but they will expect you to put down around 30% or more to get financed.

If you have already designed the house plans and have selected your builder prior to buying the lot, it is possible to close on the lot purchase and construction loan together so you only have the one loan. The bank will still look for you to have a reasonable amount of cash to put down. Most banks look for a 20% minimum down payment. Assuming the cost of the house is $200,000 your construction loan would be $160,000 and you would have a $40,000 cash down payment. If you are taking out a loan down payment permanent loan such as FHA, VA or Conventional with 5% down, there are ways to minimize your construction loan down payment.

While the house is being built funds are advanced based on the construction progress. The bank will send out an inspector to see how much progress has been made. Assuming the progress is 25% towards completion the bank would then fund 25% of the remaining funds for construction to you to pay to the builder.

While the house is being built you pay interest only on what is advanced on the loan. Most banks require the interest to be paid monthly. During the early months of the construction loan the interest cost is very low because not much is advanced, and towards the end when it approaches being 100% funded, the interest bills are higher so make sure you budget for that.

When the house is complete you convert the loan over to a permanent mortgage loan. This will pay off the construction loan and you will have a long term mortgage loan. Rates can be locked in up to 60 days in advance so if rates are increasing, it can benefit you to lock in as early as possible when you know the completion date of the house.

Some lenders offer what is referred to as a ‘one-step’ construction-perm loan that allows you to close on your construction loan and mortgage loan at the same time. This product has been around for a long time and in my experience there are several factors that make it less attractive than getting separate construction loan and mortgage loans:

Myths of the ‘one-step’ construction to perm loan

You only have one closing – while the loan may close on both loans in one sitting, when construction is complete the home owner may still required to go back and sign a deed to convert the construction loan over to the mortgage loan.

Closing costs are lower because there is one closing – this also is not accurate. Typically the lender for a one-step construction perm loan will charge a 1.5% origination fee at the closing. When a mortgage loan is closed with Bank of England we do not charge a 1% origination fee so the buyer would be paying more by going with the one-step loan than if they had a construction loan with a 0.50% – 1.00% fee and a mortgage loan with no origination fee.

Also when you get separate construction and mortgage loans, we use the same closing agent for both loans to save money and get approximately the same amount of closing costs that a one-step loan would have.

Having only one closing makes the process easier. If you have any changes orders during construction, this is not the case. With the one-step loan you must not only get the bank to approve the change, but also the mortgage underwriters. This can delay the process and stop construction while you are waiting on the approval to be granted. With the separate construction loan, you only have to get bank approval which is usually a swift process.

It is a better loan because you are locking your rate at the closing of your construction loan. I am told by lenders that do these loans frequently that commonly the permanent mortgage loans are locked in ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) products, and the home owners then refinance their loan soon after construction is complete, thereby defeating the whole purpose of a one-step closing. If you are considering this loan type, ask your lender what a 30 year fixed rate lock would be at time of construction loan closing. You will find because of the length of time and potential delays that can arise during construction, locking a 30 year fixed rate that early will result in a much higher mortgage rate.

In summary building a house can be a challenging yet rewarding process. If you are considering doing so, having a lender that is very experienced in both construction lending and mortgage lending can help make the process easier and flow more smoothly so you can enjoy that new house!

We have numerous loan programs for our borrowers and we go the extra mile for our clients. Call now with any questions or a fast and free pre-qualification.

Mike Tarleton
Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer
Bank of England

5410 E. Hwy 30-A, Suite 212
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32413

850-866-2963 (Cell)
706-888-0980 (Cell / Text)
866-727-8521 (Fax)

NMLS: 264821
www.bankofengland.us

Amazing Deals on The Beach Show!

Hot property #1 is a Ft. Walton Beach home for only $149,900

Well Cared for Brick home with just under 2,000 square feet

3 bedroom 2 bath

1 story brick with low maintenance and great neighborhood

Close to great schools and shopping

Courtesy of Beachy Beach Destin

Hot property #2 is a Beautiful lot in Forest Lakes for $120,000

Very close to the neighborhood pool and pavilion

Gorgeous catch and release lake

Peaceful walking trails along the lake

Right off of 30A

Courtesy of Beachy Beach 30A

Hot property #3 is a fabulously decorated condo for $284,900

On the quiet west end of Panama City Beach

2 bedrooms 2 baths and large balcony with forever views

Meticulously decorated and oh so stylish and comfy

Comes with its own parking space

Beginner Friendly Tennis Round Robin in Watercolor

The renowned tennis resorts of Watercolor and Seaside, with the help of Tennis Pro Tracy Townsend is hosting the 3rd Annual Love All Round Robin Tennis Tournament to benefit local charity, Food for Thought Outreach on Saturday, September 21st. The Walton County based non-profit whose mission is to provide food and meals to local children in need, depends greatly on events like these to keep providing services.

The Love All Round Robin last year gained a lot of traction and in addition to raising thousands of dollars for FFT in just a matter of hours, helped bring awareness to an organization that not only serves Walton County, but also most recently expanded to help children in the Destin area.

Beachy Beach 30A Real Estate is the presenting sponsor again this year and will be helping facilitate this event with the help of 30A Tennis and will provide lunch and refreshments for players. Attendees will enjoy a friendly Round Robin competition with other tennis aficionados like themselves as well as participate in a Silent Auction which will include items from local vendors such as designer jewelry from Blessings in Disguise, luxury home goods from Summer House Lifestyle, and unique home and garden items from Clay 30A Nursery and more. Participants will also have a chance to purchase inaugural Food for Thought and Love All merchandise, with all profits going directly to the FFT mission.

Another exciting change for this year’s event, is that not only are all levels welcome to join in the game, both Men and Ladies can participate this year as there will be Men’s Doubles and Ladies’ Doubles. The event is beginner friendly, so novices need not be shy!

Registration is also quick and easy as players can go online to www.lovealltennis.net and pay with their credit card, and even elect to give an extra donation to Food for Thought, should they choose. For more information about the event, whether you want to play or you want to help out or donate an auction item, please email tennis@foodforthoughtfl.org or call 850-231-3060 and ask for Hilary or Britt.

In addition to getting a chance to play with tennis players like themselves, included in the cost of the admission ticket, players will enjoy lunch and swag from Beachy Beach 30A Real Estate as well as two raffle tickets for a chance to win a raffle prize from Cotton Land Title which has generously donated a Off Shore Fishing Trip with Salty Fish Coastal Outfitters. If you can not make the event and still want a a chance at the raffle prize, you can email jennifer@cottonlandtitle.com for more details.

You can also stay connected to this year’s event by visiting the Facebook Page for 30A Tennis, where you can share the event with friends and get a sneak peak at some of the auction items as the event nears.

To find out how you can help Food for Thought Outreach as they work to serve more schools in our area, visit their website at www.foodforthoughtfl.org or email them directly at info@foodforthoughtfl.org.

The First Time I Wanted to Die I Was 12 years Old

Forgive me for my bluntness, or don’t . But I knew if I made the subject line “National Suicide Prevention Week Sept 8 -13“, many of you would not click to read more. Not out of apathy, it just probably would not have caught your eye.

I chose that heading because I know that first step to getting rid of the stigma associated with suicide is to talk about it. The first time I wanted to die, I was in fact 12 years old. I was at church camp and I scavenged through pill bottles looking for something I could overdose on, luckily my knowledge of pharmacology as a sixth grader were very limited and I ended up having an asthma attack before I could get my hands on anything.

I wanted to end my own life many times over the years, especially as my mental health worsened. It is now twenty years later and thankfully I did not choose a permanent action for a temporary problem. I owe my being here to my mother who made sure I got the help I needed so I would be safe and not do myself any harm when I was in these dark periods of my life.

Thanks to a support system of family and friends and the help of mental health professionals, I am here today. But not everyone is so lucky, which is what this week is about. I know if I had not received professional help, I would not be alive today.

I offer these candid words because I know unless you know my history, you would never have pegged me as someone who struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts over the years.

I post happy pictures and optimistic quotes and love to laugh. I have above average intelligence, am attractive and physically skilled. I can sing, dance, and throw a great party when in a pinch. I generally “succeed” at just about any task I tackle. I say all these things because often after a suicide I hear people say things “But he was so talented or she was so smart….” as if to beg the question “What do they have to be sad about?”

That is precisely the point. Mental Illness is not rational nor does it discriminate which is why we need to take it more seriously. There is a local group in our community hoping we will join together and do that very thing.

SPARE which stands for Suicide, Prevention, Awareness, Response and Education, is a coalition of several local organizations and citizens who want to spread the word about suicide to prevent future suicides. They are hosting a walk this Saturday, September 14th at Gulf Coast State College, meeting at the Hwy 98 side at 8:30 am and beginning the walk over Hathaway Bridge at 9 am.

Everyone is welcome to join the walk and will get a T-shirt with a $10 dollar donation.

SPARE hopes to bring awareness to the public about suicide and its devastation on families, increase prevention and proper response to signs and symptoms, and educate about ways to help prevent Suicide. This walk is an effort to help SPARE accomplish their goals.

For more information, please call Christine Hurst at 850.522.1516 or email nwflspare@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/sparenwfl

If you or someone you know is in crisis, have them call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or locally the Life Management Crisis Center Hotline at 850-873-8573.

We Have No Idea Where We Are

Whining is not a good exercise!!!

Those of you who know me will find it hard to believe that I have allowed myself to get in this condition. Running and working out has always been an important part of my life. Running was quite spiritual to me and allowed me to pray and be thankful for so much. Quite a departure from the norm, I stopped exercising and stopped paying attention to nutrition. I think that I forgot that whining and moaning about my weight and my physical condition does not change anything. In fact it does not only keep change at bay it allows for negative outcomes.

Thankfully a few days ago I had the good sense to call a friend and admit that unless I met someone or was accountable I was going to keep on hitting that snooze button. My opportunity clock has been blaring and I have ignored it. The fact that I have become a larger version of myself has not been enough of a negative to change my bad behavior. At 54 I realize that I am responsible for my health and the only way to do that is to stop whining and start working.

I decided I would very publicly announce that I am going back to basics and paying attention to what I can do to be the master of my good health and physical fitness. And in keeping with my understanding that we are what we think about and talk about I am changing my self talk to reflect that core belief.

Today Hugh and I walked on the beach in Laguna Beach and the joy of seeing those beautiful waves and feeling the breeze on my face was great encouragement today.

Each step I took I was thankful that even though I was slow I was moving forward. With each step I took I thanked God that I still had the ability to change. With each step I thought of all of my blessings. With each step I thought of all the many people who would be so grateful to be here walking on this gorgeous shoreline. With each step I reinforced that the movement and the motion forward will propel me to a better place physically, mentally and emotionally.

So take this walk with me and if you are reading this share with me a time when maybe you too thought that whining was an exercise. If you are like me you found out that it does not burn calories so you might as well hit the road. And as we journey please remember what I always say, “The only people we have to get even with are those that have helped us.”

Quack Quack Happy Happy Happy

Happy Happy Happy is a term that our friends At Duck Dynasty love to shout!!! We are shouting it also because we are excited about our upcoming Duck Race to support Beach Care Services.

Beach Care Services is a group of people who come together with the help of a benevolent community to help our neighbors. BCS offers short-term assistance to those who would not find help in other places. We celebrate the giving because it makes all of us better and happier.

Our Duck Race this year should prove to be a grand event and it is held At Grand Panama Resort at their gorgeous pool deck. There will be food, drink, music and lots of fun. Tickets are only 10 per person and will give you the chance of having he winning duck. You will also have the joy of seeing grown adults trying to ride a big duck…. now that is worth coming out for. WE hope to see you all there!!!