Join Jeep Beach Jam

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The second annual Jeep Beach Jam began Wednesday with 1,000 Jeepers from nearly 100 Jeep clubs from 13 different states, but you don't have to own a Jeep to embrace the lifestyle at Frank Brown Park — or watch the JBJ Jeep Parade wind through Pier Park.

The Vendor Village — which more than 60 Jeep vendors, opens Friday morning at Frank Brown Park, where families are encouraged to come out and listen to live music. The Jr. Jeepers Zone is geared toward the youngest Jeep fans with a Mini Electric Jeep Course with electric Jeeps from Toys R Us for kids to ride, Remote Control Jeeps and obstacle course, a blow-up Jeep jumpy and more. A 4×4 Saloon “Rock & Grill,” with a view of the Jr. Jeepers Zone and Main Stage, will have entertainment Saturday and Sunday by Kelly & The Healers. The saloon has a view of the Jr. Jeepers Zone and the Main Stage. 

Blackberry Smoke, a Southern rock quintet from Atlanta, headlines Friday night at Frank Brown Park. The band (formed in 2001) includes Charlie Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (lead drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards). The band's sixth album, "Like an Arrow," was released in October, following the success of 2015's "Holding All the Roses" (2015) — produced by Grammy Award winner Brendan O'Brien. 

The band focuses on exploring new musical territories — blending elements of rock, gospel, country, swing and blues. "Holding All the Roses" debuted on the Billboard Country Albums and Rock Albums charts.

On Saturday night, Maggie Rose will open for Craig Morgan, who will join her for the "4xLife."

"I'm excited, Maggie said. "This is the first opportunity I will have to play and sing with Craig Morgan who co-wrote this for the Jeep campaign, but it was super organic. I wrote my first original song when I was at Clemson in a Jeep, and he had his Jeep shipped to Panama when he enlisted. ... We'll play that together for the first time live."

Maggie left Clemson University as a vocal performance major to purse her musical career, and Craig was a member of the U.S. Army before leaving to focus on music. Since Craig's debut record in 2000, he shown his musical diversity from "Redneck Yacht Club" to the No. 1 hit "That's What I Love About Sunday." His seventh studio album, "A Whole Lot More to Me," was released in June.

On Friday, the day Maggie arrives in Panama City Beach, she will release "Dreams > Dollars," a five-song EP she penned and co-produced. The lead track, "Body on Fire," debuted May 5.

"I'm playing all the songs from the EP," said Maggie, who admitted "Body on Fire" is currently her favorite to perform. "I grew up a Catholic school girl, and there were a lot of inhibitions I had to shed. It's a beautiful thing, embracing my body and everything about it."

She is not bound by genre, just staying true to herself.

"I've been in Nashville almost 10 years, and it's required a lot of perseverance," said Maggie, a Maryland native who moved to Nashville at age 19. "I'm trying to do new things every day, an evolution. Nashville is a really a fun place to be ... it's become a place with all types of music being created and made, so it's natural that some of my music would start to pick up some of those influences."

But she really likes taking her songs on the road.

"I think you can't really fully receive a song until you take it out on the road and get the crowd reaction," she said. "There's no re-do — a very freeing experience."

JBJ 2017 Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 19

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Jeep Check-In & Registration, Vendor Village - Jr Jeeper Zone and JBJ Extreme Raffling at Vendor Village in Frank Brown Park; Obstacle Course at West Vendor Village

10 a.m. to noon: Scavenger Hunt Check-In Day 3 at Dave & Buster’s

Noon to 2 p.m.: Spiderweb Shades Jeep Wash Benefiting U.S. Armed Forces at Cox Pools

Noon to 3 p.m.: JBJ Jeep School Vendor Clinic at Vendor Village

1-5 p.m.: 4x4 Saloon featuring Kelly & the Healers with special guest at Vendor Village

4-5 p.m.: Scavenger Hunt Awards Ceremony at Vendor Village

7 p.m.: ELI and Blackberry Smoke in Concert at Vendor Village followed by After Show Party at T.G.I. Friday’s

Saturday, May 20

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Jeep Check-In & Registration

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Vendor Village - Jr Jeeper Zone, JBJ Extreme Raffling and Show & Shine at Vendor Village at Frank Brown Park; Obstacle Course next to Vendor Village

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: 4x4 Saloon featuring Kelly & The Healers with Special Guest at Vendor Village

Noon to 2 p.m.: Spiderweb Shades Jeep Wash Benefiting U.S. Armed Forces at T.G.I. Friday’s

Noon to 3 p.m.: JBJ Jeep School Vendor Clinic at Vendor Village

2-4 p.m.: Miss JBJ Finals and Show & Shine Raffle Drawing at 4x4 Saloon

7 p.m.: Jeep Parade, Salute to U.S. Armed Forces, at Pier Park

9 p.m.: Maggie Rose and Craig Morgan in concert at Vendor Village followed by After Show Bon Voyage Block Party in Pier Park

Sunday, May 21

8:30 a.m.: Beachside Church Service at Sharky’s Beach Club followed by Official Blessing of Jeeps

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Vendor Village - Jr. Jeeper Zone and Bloody Mary Party 4x4 Saloon at the Vendor Village at Frank Brown Park

When: Continues through Sunday, May 21

Where: Vendor Village/concerts at Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway; Jeep Parade — Salute to U.S. Armed Forces on May 20 winds through Pier Park; other events at various beach locations

Admission: Three-day pass for Friday through Sunday is $15 (ages 11 and younger are free) for general public at Frank Brown Park (available at East entrance)

Concert tickets: 2-day General admission start at $39 (free for ages 6 and younger); 1-day is $29; 2-Day VIP tickets are $59 (pit area) and $99 (stage seating)

Details, concert tickets or Jeep registration: JeepBeachJam.com

Jeep Beach Jam