A band plays for guests on the Amphitrite.
Singer Amos Lee (third from left) performed live on Rainbow Island in 2014.
says Casey Lavin, vice president of operations
at Sea Island. “So we took steps to bring creative, relevant musicians here.”
Lavin and the Sea Island staff examined each
space at the resort and selected specific musical genres and performers to complement various places. They hired artist-in-residence Owen
Plant, a singer and songwriter born in Jamaica,
who performs folksy acoustic selections for
guests at the Beach Club. Celebrated pianist
Jackie Monroe brings down the house in The
Cloister Colonial Lounge with broad selections
that appeal to a modern, mature musical palate.
“Concert pianist Chris Smith fills The
Lodge with classical hits from Frank Sinatra
and artists from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s,” Lavin
explains. “And throughout the year, the musical assignments of The Cloister Clubroom
transform the space into somewhat of a
speakeasy—a cool, intimate setting with a
stage, chandelier and bluesy music that takes
our guests back to the days of Prohibition.”
Amos Lee, a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, has performed live at Sea Island, as well
as The Shadowboxers, a Nashville-based band
that showcases meticulous harmonies and a
fusion of unique rock and soul vocals. The live
performances have punctuated the Sea Island
experience for decades, and Lavin hints that
the best is yet to come with newer additions
to the resort’s events calendar. The Southern
Grown Food, Drink, and Music Festival which
highlights the regional talent and culture, will
take place June 19-21. Popular musical acts
will take to the resort’s grounds for an exciting
weekend of concerts and culinary artistry.
“Our Southern Grown Food, Drink, and
Music Festival blends the tastes and the music
of the South,” Lavin says. “It’s a food, wine
and music event that truly celebrates things
that are Southern.”
The festivities begin with a Southern fish fry
at Rainbow Island. On Saturday, attendees can
learn the art of songwriting from musicians or
how to make a specialty cocktail from some of
the region’s top chefs. The day crescendos with
Saturday night’s signature event—a concert
overlooking the ocean at The Lodge.
“We are pleased to bring the Grammynominated Avett Brothers to Sea Island this
year for the concert,” Lavin says. “Originally
from North Carolina, the band is critically
acclaimed across the country. Their performance will make the night one to remember.”
He expects music lovers from all over to
attend hoping to hear one of their favorite melodies, whether it be “I and Love and You,” with
its beautiful harmonies and sing-a-long verses,
or “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise,”
with its uplifting lyrics.
“Music just adds so much to every experience,” Lavin adds. “Everyone responds to it. It
creates an instant atmosphere that makes us
feel happy—makes us feel alive.” m
Musician Chuck Leavell entertaining guests and members at The Cloister
SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | SEA ISL AND LIFE 29
SI5_TraditionsDept-e_v2-e_v4-e.indd 29
3/20/15 3:15 PM