PR Audio

12/16/2025

Wow

The Parrot Live takeover of the former Big Top Live is canceled and the Cattlemen Road location has closed.

According to The Parrot Patio Bar & Grill owner Jeff Gambino, the sale could not be completed due to title issues and undisclosed code violations at the property and code violation fines and unpaid tangible property tax that apparently have been accruing for several years. According to Jeff, Sarasota County Government slapped notices of seizure on the property contents, due to ongoing unresolved tangible personal property taxes, The business also apparently never received a Business Use Permit to operate as Big Top. The application for a BUP shows Sarasota County responded "Revisions Required" and the permit wasn't issued. In addition, Jeff tells us that the previous 2COP license was never transferred to Big Top and continued to be in the name of C**k & Bull owners Howie and Dawn Hochberg, with only a DBA for "Big Top Brewing Company at C**k & Bull Farmhouse." That, and what Jeff says was the lack of proper zoning to allow 100's of people to attend concerts on the property and what he says is the lack of permits to use the adjacent property for parking, caused them to pull out of the property sale, during their due diligence period, under the advice of their attorney.

We previously reached out to Howie about the sale and didn't receive a reply.

Hopefully, the issues surrounding permits and licenses can be resolved, but it's likely not something that will happen anytime soon.

Best of luck to everyone involved for the future.

12/09/2025

IYKYK

They call us stagehands. They see the flash of the spotlight, the roar of the crowd, the effortless magic unfolding on stage, and they never see us. But beneath the velvet curtain and beyond the proscenium arch, there is a world built on sheer will, calloused hands, and sleepless nights.
​This isn't just a job; it's a baptism by fire. We are the silent architects of dreams. When the city sleeps, we are here, wrestling with hundreds of pounds of truss, coiling miles of cable, and hanging lights that will paint the night sky. The tools of our trade are not makeup brushes or musical instruments, but wrenches, harnesses, and an unbreakable commitment to the show.
​There's a moment, right before the house lights dim, when the air hums with anticipation. The performers are warming up, but we are already exhausted. Our bodies ache from twelve-hour hauls, but in that moment, as the first chord strikes and the audience erupts, we feel a surge that no applause can replicate. We built this. Every angle of light, every quick scene change, every piece of rigging holding it all together—that is our triumph.
​We are the shadows who make the stars shine. We miss birthdays, holidays, and regular sleep, trading them all for the chaotic, beautiful pulse of the production. We work in the freezing cold, the suffocating heat, and under the crushing weight of impossible deadlines. Why? Because the show must go on.
​So, the next time you are mesmerized by the stage, take a moment. Remember the unseen crew in the black t-shirts. They are not just moving things; they are sacrificing pieces of themselves to bring a shared vision to life. This fatigue is earned, this passion is infinite, and this work—this relentless, heart-breaking, breathtaking work—is our greatest love letter to the art of performance.
​We are the backbone of the magic. And tonight, we rise again.
​

11/17/2025

Big changes at a Sarasota, FL live music and brewery venue.

The owners of The Parrot Patio Bar & Grill have taken over Big Top Live . The former C**k & Bull has been sold and is becoming The Parrot Live. According to Jeff Gambino, who owns The Parrot along with his wife Melanie, they plan on reopening the kitchen at the property and will be bringing a slightly limited version of their Parrot menu to the Cattlemen Road live music venue. Jeff also tells us he plans to build a large tiki shade structure over the back patio and a new stage. In addition to continuing to offer a lot of the Big Top Brewing Company beers, along with other beer and wine choices, they will have a full liquor license. Patrons can also expect to see changes to the landscape and some new paint and building repairs, while keeping the old Florida style and charm of the long-time Sarasota bar and restaurant.

Jeff asked us to assure everyone with tickets to upcoming shows that all currently scheduled events will be happening as planned and all tickets will be honored. He says they also plan to expand the amount of live music there. Look for a schedule of events and bands coming soon.

Congratulations to Jeff and Melanie and good luck in retirement to former C**k and Bull and property owners Howie and Dawn Hochberg.

09/11/2025

07/24/2025

Prayers for all the families 🙏🏻

What a heartbreaking and surreal week this has been.

We’ve said goodbye to not one, but five towering figures — each of them a household name, each of them beloved in their own unique way. The world feels a little dimmer without their light.

Connie Francis, one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of timeless classics like "Where the Boys Are," "Who's Sorry Now," and "Lipstick on Your Collar." She wasn’t just a singer — she was a trailblazer, a symbol of strength, and a soundtrack to the lives of millions. Her voice was instantly recognizable, her resilience unforgettable. She broke barriers in the music industry, becoming the first female to have a #1 rock and roll hit. Her songs, her story, and her spirit will live on forever.

Chuck Mangione, the virtuoso behind the flugelhorn, gave us instrumental beauty that could lift spirits and calm storms. His hit "Feels So Good" was more than a song — it was an emotion, a moment frozen in time that will always echo in our hearts.

Hulk Hogan, the face of wrestling’s golden age, inspired a generation with his larger-than-life persona, boundless energy, and unforgettable voice. For those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, Hulk Hogan was a real-life superhero. His “Hulkamania” wasn’t just a catchphrase — it was a movement.

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, redefined what it meant to be a rock star. The Prince of Darkness, who turned chaos into poetry and rebellion into art, has left this world — but his thunderous legacy will roar through the ages. From "Paranoid" to "Crazy Train", Ozzy didn’t just perform music — he lived it.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known and loved as Theo from The Cosby Show, brought warmth, humor, and a genuine sense of heart to the screen. A talented actor, musician, and spoken word artist, Malcolm’s work resonated far beyond television. He gave us a young man we could all relate to, and an artist who never stopped evolving.

To lose all of them in such a short span feels unreal. These weren’t just celebrities — they were storytellers, pioneers, and icons who helped shape the cultural fabric of our lives. Their music, their characters, their voices — all of it lives on in our memories and hearts.

Rest in peace to Connie, Chuck, Hulk, Ozzy, and Malcolm. You may be gone from this world, but you’ll never be forgotten.

07/22/2025

Woohoo!

Hey, South of the Border fans! We have an announcement that we think will put a smile on your face. Dean’s South of the Border will continue its journey here in Punta Gorda under new ownership! What can you expect? The same great atmosphere—with an elevated experience. Live music will still rock the stage, and you’ll even see some of your favorite staff back on the floor! Keep an eye out here for further updates.🌶️🌮😃

06/26/2025

Sad

🚨DEAN'S LAST BASH SUNDAY JULY 6TH🚨

After 30+ unforgettable years, it’s time to say goodbye.
To our beloved customers, friends, and community:

With full hearts and bittersweet emotions, we share that Dean's will be closing its doors on July 6th. For three decades, you’ve welcomed us into your lives — celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, quiet mornings, and countless meals in between. We’ve been honored to serve you, laugh with you, and grow with you.

What began as a dream turned into a family — not just among our staff, but with every one of you who pulled up a chair and shared a moment with us.

Thank you for your loyalty, your stories, your kindness, and your trust. You’ve given us 30 years of memories we’ll carry forever.

Please come by in these final days to share a meal, a memory, or just a goodbye. We’d love to see your faces one more time.

With love and deep gratitude,
The Stainton Family

06/14/2025

🇺🇸

05/28/2025

RIP Rick Derringer…

Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded “Hang On Sloopy,” had a hit with “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and earned a Grammy Award for producing“Weird Al” Yankovic’s debut album, has died.

05/26/2025

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Thank you to all who serve.

11/02/2024

Proceeds from the Nov. 15 concert will support service industry employees who have been displaced by the hurricanes.