Country Jam

The city went country on Friday night. The parents and friends of Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS) took over Veterans’ Community Park for “Country Jam,” a fundraiser for the school’s STEAM initiative. 

The young performers of the MICMS chorus and jazz band, both directed by Martie Miller, opened up the musical performances, but after a few quick numbers they were gone, and the evening was devoted to entertainment pitched to the adults. The four-piece band Coastal Cowboys laid down the country music and gave attendees the chance to trot out their western wear and cowboy hats under the stars on a perfect November evening. 

Right next to the full bar was the Swamp Axe booth, offering the chance to embed a thrown ax in a wooden plank. Bill and Denise Bailey purchased seven throws for $20 and said it was more fun once you’ve already had a few pops. 

“Watch when we cut our toe off,” said Denise, although the Swamp Axe management thoughtfully provides special reinforced footwear to avoid that eventuality. One of the bartenders from Marco Island Brewery, Justin Magee, said that he was a former member of the MICMS jazz band, playing trombone. 

While the Coastal Cowboys were setting up, some of the crowd did the Cupid Shuffle, including interim principal Margo Heidenreich and math teacher Jill Hammond, joined by an enthusiastic group of ladies. Lead singer, guitar player and bandleader Charlie Logsdon, once his group started playing, urged more people to get up on the concrete apron in front of the stage and dance, and to encourage them, suggested they visit the bar. 

With Frank Parish as a standout on steel guitar, and Steve Mounger following in the footsteps of Paul McCartney by playing left-handed electric bass, the band played favorites such as “Achy Breaky Heart,” “House of the Rising Sun” and “Good Hearted Woman,” as well as an original about a guy having a notably bad day who ended up at ladies’ night at his local bar. 

Underneath the VIP tent, those who paid a little extra, including Mary Wilkins, Fred Kramer and Colette Kellerhouse, enjoyed a buffet put on by the school PTO and their own bar. Heidenreich took the mic to thank attendees and sponsors and introduced MICMS Teacher of Distinction Terese Glasser, who worked the crowd for the “cash call,” ably assisted by bandleader Logsdon, who put up $1,000 on his own as a matching contribution. 

In all, the over 300 attendees took in over $23,000 in ticket sales and sponsorships and another $13,000-plus from the cash call, said Heidenreich. Marco Island Brewery and the food trucks present also donated a portion of their proceeds to the cause. Sponsors included overall sponsor Remodel Marco, jam sponsor Rose Marina, and “cowboy sponsors” Real Random, Green Water Boat Tours, Michelle Thomas Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Kramer Kellerhouse Chartered, the Little Bar Restaurant, and Yvette Benarroch. 

The funds are earmarked for Marco Charter Middle’s STEAM initiative. Standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, the program aims to integrate these disciplines into the students’ education. MICMS plans to create a STEAM lab with equipment including 3-D printers, virtual reality headsets, an interactive smartboard and podcasting studio equipment, with a ribbon-cutting expected in August 2024.