Sea Minstrel Studio Productions - Spotlight on:

THE FLAT HAMMOCK BAND - Connecticut

The Flat Hammock Band is an American rock band from Eastern Connecticut and are known for their flexibility in performing across numerous genres and their vocal harmonies.   Formed in 2021, some members of the band have been together in various bands for over four decades, including Small Talk, Sunshower, and MESA.   The group's current lineup consists of founding members Wayne Sinclair (guitars, vocals), Rob Gaines (Bass and Vocals), Kevin Pearl (Guitars, Banjo, Mandolin, Lap Steel), and Ray Sinclair (Percussion and Vocals).  Their recording sessions also include artists such as Chris Anderson (keyboards, vocals), Rob Rocks (Percussion), Bib “Slider” Gerard (Slide Guitar), and John Schneider (Guitar and Vocals).  Wayne generally provides the lead vocals for the band which features a rock sound with elements of folk, funk, country, tropical americana, and R&B. 

Wayne Sinclair, Rob Gaines, and Kevin Pearl first came together in 1974 when they formed the funk-rock band Small Talk which played venues throughout Connecticut and New England.  In the 1980s they formed the “light rock” band Sunshower which focused on covers of artists such as Dan Fogelberg, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, and they continued the performance of many of their own original songs.     In the 1990s, Wayne and Rob formed the Country/Rock band MESA which occasionally featured Kevin and other musicians.    They covered many “new country” solo artists and bands with strong vocal harmonies and brought out their own original songs which contained that strong multi part harmony.   Throughout the early 2000s, these old friends played as often as possible although Wayne had moved out of state for several years.  When Wayne returned to Connecticut in 2021, Kevin, Rob, and Ray (Wayne’s Son) backed Wayne at several outdoor concerts.  By late summer of 2021, the name Flat Hammock Band was added to Wayne Sinclair when they were on the same stage.

In late 2021, the group recorded together for the first time since the 90s.  They released two singles  – “The Warrior” and “Beaches of My Youth”, the latter rising to #6 on Radio A1A’s Trop 40 in January, 2022.    They are currently working on a CD to be released later in 2022.

Sea Minstrel Studio Productions - Spotlight on:

JOHN R. SCHNEIDER - Maryland  Singer/Songwriter

John Schneider has been performing for clubs, private parties, benefits, from Maryland to Florida and beyond. As a soloist, Winery’s and Breweries, water front venue’s are popular places to catch a show. With several band projects under his belt, classic rock, and blues fill the sound scape with The Joint Venture Band. Trop Rock music fills the summers with The Coastal Steel Band. Performing Original and warm weather favorites. A highly sought after tiki bar soloist and band leader.
John’s style of songwriting flows freely, easy feeling, and real. Influence from the Beatles pop harmonies, with the ability to get to the point. Drawing from a rich folk music background, ( Dylan, Croce, Lightfoot, J Denver) is evident. With a unique blend of Rock, Folk and Blues. Weaving tropical influences like Buffett and Marley,
“John’s voice and music will take you to your paradise, anywhere that might be.” From the feel good Trop Rock 2012 release of “Sand Beneath my Feet”, 2015 hit ballad “ Sail me to the Moon”, 2018 CD Private Island, and his recent 2022 single releases "A Place To Go" and "Warmer Days" - his warm vocals and sense of harmony can lift you up, and set you on a voyage to somewhere south. His music is now best described as Rock and roll, blues with a ever so light country feel.
John is an accomplished bassist. With over 40 years of performing experience. Influenced by (Jaco Pastorious, James Jamerson, Stanley Clark). As a guitarist, the acoustic guitar is his first choice. he has a classic finger style and flat picking, to accompany songwriting and solo performance. He is driven by the desire to keep alive the great folk guitarist rhythm and chord arrangements with a percussive drive and melodic finger style hooks.

As TRMA member John stays in the Trop Rock world, an attitude and feeling close to his heart. His Music is available on I-tunes, Amazon Music, and many other music sales outlets. He can be heard on Spotify, YouTube, multiple AM / FM and internet radio stations.


Sea Minstrel Studio Productions - Spotlight on:

FUNCTIONAL DRUNKS - Oxford, MA

Functional Drunks is a Central Massachusetts-based Trop Rock duo –  Jim “Tiki Jim” Cormier and Bill “Maui Bill” Hatch. Playing together for over 5 years, they combine their own original material along with Trop Rock/ Tropical Americana, Country, Classic Rock & Reggae for fun, high-energy live performances.  Their growing fan base describes us as Fun, Laid-back, “Party Atmosphere” style band.

Functional Drunks has just recently released their debut single, a fun, working-man’s anthem, “Work, Weekend, Repeat”.  This breakout 2022 release had them soaring near the top of several well known music charts including Radio A1A's Trop 40, and TIKIPOD Radio's Island Heat Top 20. 

Tiki Jim: Vocal, Guitar, Uke, Percussion.  Tiki Jim started as a drummer and has played guitar for over 30 years.  Tiki has performed for years solo and along with artists Todd Trusty and The Island Castaway Band and has played at places like famed, Duval St icon Irish Kevin’s in Key West.

Maui Bill: Vocal, Uke, Bass, Guitar.  Maui began playing bass in high school. Stopped playing for many years, and only began performing live 7 years ago with a new group - Pilots of the Caribbean. Then the Ukulele changed it all and he hasn’t looked back.  Quickly becoming a Trop favorite in Florida, he has performed with artists Rudy Cox and Cabana Dogs including at the prestigious Music on the Bay event. Maui also appears on Cabana Dogs soon to be released single, “True Pirates of the Land”.

Their influences run the gamut from The Beatles, 70’s Folk/singer-songwriters, Hard & classic rock, modern country and, of course Trop Rock, including well-known artists like Jimmy Buffet & Kenny Chesney, and Trop fan favorites like Sunny Jim, Donny Brewer, The Boat Drunks & Jim Morris.

Tiki and Maui are Proud Members of TRMA, Parrott Head Club of Eastern Ma, and Sarasota Bay Parrot Head Club.

For more information, contact them at:

functionaldrunks@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalDrunks


https://www.instagram.com/functionaldrunks/

Sea Minstrel Studio Productions - Spotlight on:

AJ King - Milano, Texas

Alvie King (AJ) grew up in tiny Milano, Texas. Between picking watermelons, shoveling asphalt, and mowing grass, he acquired a love for two things - basketball and music.
Whether toiling in the sun or practicing hoops for hours, music was always playing in the background.
After playing ball in college, King became a basketball coach and for 26 years (with a state championship in that time) the sport consumed him.
Still, music was a major part of his life. He began writing songs for a friends band and filled a notebook with lyrics.
After retiring, he decided to pursue songwriting more seriously. This has led to writing hundreds of lyrics, many of which became co-writes. In the pst several years it has led to over 30 songs being recorded and performed by various tropical and country artists. He has amassed 14 #1 songs on the RadioA1A Trop 40, and a #1 on Australian radio. His song, “BUFFETT ON THE RADIO”, co-written by Chuck Freeman and recorded by the Tropix, was Radio A1A’s song of the year.
Any songwriter who works with Alvie consider him a master lyricist. Alvie says he does most of his writing while mowing the grass and listening to the drone of the mower’s engine. Recently, Alvie has stepped out from behind the writing desk and stepped up to the microphone to record his first single “Ain’t About You”, Under the stage name AJ King, this breakout single, released May 20th, 2022, focuses on country flavor but has a taste of multiple genre’.
His biggest musical influences have been - The Eagles, John Mellencamp, Paul Davis, and Guy Clark.

Sea Minstrel Studios is proud to be associated with AJ both as a writer and now as a recording artist.


Here is what folks are saying about Sea Minstrel Studio Productions

John Schneider of the Coastal Steel Band 3-15-22:   "If you're anything like me, when the weather changes I need new music.   Thanks Wayne Sinclair (Sea Minstrel Studios).  Great job on this mix, you definitely get my quirky musical need to be slightly left of center!! but in the pocket"

Bill Hatch  - FUNCTIONAL DRUNKS 3-11-22:   "We appreciate that you saw the quality of the song and helped us get it over the finish line".