Artists

FLIP FLOP REPUBLIC

Step into the sun-soaked world of Flip Flop Republic, the rock and reggae troubadours from the vibrant music city of Tallahassee, FL. Their musical journey began at Black Dog Bar (now Liam and Madi’s) in Cedar Key, where FFR snagged one of their very first gigs. What started as a humble exchange of tunes for beer has blossomed into a tapestry of incredible memories and lifelong friendships, all centered around the enchanting island of Cedar Key.

The heart of Flip Flop Republic beats with the diverse roots of its members, spanning from the soulful sounds of Mississippi to the lively beats of Miami and the sun-soaked melodies of St. Maarten. Each note and rhythm in their music carries the essence of these places, creating a unique sonic blend.

Their debut album set the scene with beachy and reggae tunes that resonated in the Trop Rock genre, making waves on the charts. As they evolved, the band’s latest album, “Physical Science,” erupted onto the scene claiming the #1 spot on the iTunes Reggae chart and securing the #2 position on Amazon Reggae Best Sellers. The album’s power transcended borders, maintaining a strong presence in the international/world music,  consistently ranking in the top 25 online platforms.

Flip Flop Republic invites you to dive into their musical universe, where every note is a celebration of life, love, and the irresistible charm of the Sunshine State. 

BAREFOOT REGGIE STARRETT

Singer/song writer/ musician, Reggie Starrett is a TRMA Award winning artist. Coming from a wide range of musical influences, but Reggie is unapologetically Trop Rock.  He plays hundreds of shows each year performing to thousands all over the world he brings the beach with him, Reggie’s shows are a blast! 

Reggie has opened for a diverse group of nationally known artists.
From, The Spin Doctor’s , Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Bellamy Brothers, Chairmen of the Board, Chuck Berry, Indigo Girls, Buckwheat Zydeco, Black Crows Fog Hat, The Drifters, Little Texas, Ty Herndon, and even David Allen Coe.  Reggie is a crowd pleaser and stalwart in the Trop Rock scene! 

STONEY BANKS

Hold on to your hats because Stoney Banks is not your average songwriter – he’s a genre-bending tornado tearing through multiple music scenes.  This multi-talented singer/songwriter doesn’t just bring a twang to Country; he cranks up the heat with strong Reggae rhythms and tosses in some Hip Hop vibes for good measure.

Having earned his stripes as one of Nashville’s rising stars, Stoney Banks is no stranger to the music scene. His versatility shines through as he has written and toured with an eclectic mix of acts, ranging from the Dirty Heads to the down-home charm of Big Smo, and rubbing shoulders with too many top country and rock acts to even list. Stoney is all about breaking boundaries and creating music that defies easy classification.

Now, here’s the real scoop – you’ll be able to say you discovered Stoney Banks right here at CkeyTiki!  Brace yourself for an experience like no other, where every note is a testament to Stoney’s uniqueness. Get ready to belt out lyrics to songs you didn’t even know existed but won’t be able to forget!

THE BEACH BLONDES

Sharone LeMieux and Lilah Breaux—are a dynamic acoustic duo bringing the flavors of Louisiana and Florida together into a soulful gumbo of Gulf Coast music. With their infectious energy, they weave their personal life stories into a tapestry of bluesy grooves, heartfelt ballads, and upbeat tunes that are as refreshing as an ocean breeze and as tasty and fun as a crawfish boil.

Sharone LeMieux has spent a lifetime commanding the stage, belting out powerhouse blues, smoothing over jazz souls, and rocking her rolls.  Her voice carries the grit and grace of a well-traveled artist, seasoned in the rhythms of life.

Lilah Breaux is a rising star in the singer-songwriter world. With her Nashville-honed releases and a mind-blowing catalog of 800 original songs, she’s creating waves of excitement wherever she goes. Her ability to craft songs that tug at the heartstrings while still bringing a smile is nothing short of remarkable.

The story of The Beach Blondes began with a serendipitous twist of fate—a wild evening landed Sharone in Lilah’s living room, guitars in hand, and sparks flew. From that moment on, the duo has been creating an irresistible mix of music that’s sweet and salty, raw and polished, fun and fearless. Their performances are part jam session, part storytelling adventure, and all about connection.

UKULELE RUSS

A native son of New England, professional ukulele player, and natural blonde, Ukulele Russ turned his wandering eye northward. After touring on and off with booze hall bands and B-list rap troops for several years, he packed his things and made the move to Alaska.  He settled outside Fairbanks city limits, bought a compact car and hit the streets of “Jefferson’s Folly” to hunt for a job with only 6 dollars left to his name. He was a man on a mission and broke.

Unable to comprehend how the ukulele could be seen as anything other than stringed testosterone, Russ set out to expand people’s minds and open their hearts to the subtle sweetness of what Shakespeare often referred to as “those bitchin’ little Hawaiian guitars.” By locking himself away in his dark, tiny cabin he has developed his own unique style of “ukuleleing,” discovering that they can in fact be used to create music other than the songs you hear at the Honolulu airport, and he has been capturing audiences’ attention ever since.

STEVE HOPPER

Steve Hopper, Trop Rock Artist from Savannah Tennessee has been bringing music and fun to the Mid-South for more than 20 years. He was born a raised in Tennessee halfway between Memphis and Nashville, just north of Muscle Shoals Alabama. He was influenced by all the music genres that surrounded him and mixed that with his lifelong love for the ocean, not unlike Jimmy Buffett, or Kenny Chesney. He accompanies his vocals with an acoustic guitar and a steel drum.

JOE DOWNING

Joe Downing is a Trop Rock Recording Artist and Nashville Songwriter that knows how to Rock & Roll. His first full length album “Songs From The Gulf” was nominated for Album Of The Year from the Trop Rock Music Association in 2021. His song “YOLO” was nominated for Single Of The Year by the Trop Rock Music Association and Joe has been nominated for the Horizon Award recognizing him as a rising talent in the genre.

Downing grew up in Ohio listening to everything from the Motown sound to the popular recording artists of today. He believes in the theory that great art can inspire great art and admits a wide range of influences such as: Sam Cooke, Tom Petty, Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, David Bowie and Van Morrison.   Joe’s soulful vocals and his groovy melodies make him an instant hit, no matter the venue. “Whether I’m playing for one person or thousands, I always try to give it my all, so that when the audience walks away, they say: ‘That Joe Downing guy. I’m going to remember him.’”

HOUSTON KEEN

Houston Keen is a self-made artist redefining what it means to thrive in today’s music industry. From humble beginnings in 2006 to headlining stages across the Gulf Coast, his journey is one of grit, resilience, and relentless creativity.

Houston cut his teeth playing bar gigs and balancing late-night shows with early mornings on construction sites to fund his first album, Jenny. In 2017, he took a leap of faith and moved to Austin, Texas, where he immersed himself in the live music capital, sharpening his skills as a performer and independent artist

Now back in Florida, Houston has become a force in the regional music scene, touring relentlessly across the Southeast. With collaborations that include CMA-level talent and a growing catalog of original music, he’s proving that success comes from independence, ingenuity, and connection with fans.

Houston is writing and recording his next project while continuing to tour Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. With no plans to slow down or sign away his freedom, he’s carving his own path and inspiring others to do the same.

JEFF RANDALL

Jeff is a Nashville recording artist who is living out his dream in Florida, where he continues to write and perform his trop-rock and country songs. He credits his co-writers and is thankful for all of the fun times they have had writing.

He has been fortunate to have recorded songs with band members of each of the following artists Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, The Band Alabama, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd, Crystal Gayle, Kellie Pickler and Dave Mason.

Jeff is excited to bring his brand of Trop Rick and country with a twist of lime to CkeyTiki Fest!