Eric Erdman

Eric Erdman was writing songs at 8 years old. When he and his older brother sat at the end of their family’s pier on Mobile Bay, they learned to play guitar to the rhythm of the waves and they pulled as many tunes from that water as they did fish.

Eric’s passion for and knowledge of music grew throughout his high school and college years. After graduating from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Statistics, Eric continued to pursue his music career, forming the funk rock band The Ugli Stick. The group recorded four albums and toured worldwide for years with Eric as front man.

Soon Eric joined the writing staff in Muscles Shoals at legendary Fame Studios, where he not only met and impressed producer Jimmy Nutt, but also soaked up inspiration from the history and roots of the small north Alabama town known as “The Hit Recording Capital of the World.”

Smart lyrics, gorgeous melodies, soulful ballads: Eric’s range transcends genre. As a guitarist, Eric’s mastery and versatility has him touring with world class acts like the Buddy Rich Band, Kristy Lee, Nadirah Shakoor. Besides his own singer/songwriter credentials, Eric produces projects for other artists as well.

MOTM 2025 Artists

Darby Ledbetter
Sunny Jim

Sunny Jim

A live performance by James “Sunny Jim” White calls up sea breezes, palm trees. sandy beaches and good tropical vibes.
Thom Shepherd

Thom Shepherd

Thom is the reigning People’s Choice Awards Singer Songwriter of the Year. Originally from St. Louis, MO, he is the writer of two number one country hits, “Riding with Private Malone” and “Redneck Yacht Club,” three Texas Music number ones, has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists, two songs on Grammy nominated albums, and multiple top ten hits nationwide and in Texas.
The Landshark Band
Mike Nash

Mike Nash

No matter where the road leads, I'll always have sand in my boots...
Gramps Morgan

Gramps Morgan

Gramps Morgan has also flourished as a successful solo artist and created his own label, Dada Son Entertainment. Gramps has toured and performed with the likes of India, Arie, Buju Banton, John Legend, Tarrus Riley, and Kymani Marley. In 2009, Gramps released his debut solo album entitled 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1, which earned him a number awards.
Jim Mayer

Jim Mayer

Coral Reefer Band Bassist Jim Mayer added to the roster of performers at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Minds, brought to you by Margaritaville Island Reserve.
Brent Burns

Brent Burns

This son of the desert has become the poet laureate of the beach.
Heather Vidal

Heather Vidal

Heather Vidal has evolved into a singer/songwriter who has spent the past 25 years performing with an acoustic duo called Copper Sky. At the same time she has been a collaborator with several musicians in the TropRock genre including Dennis McCaughey, who opened doors to the Parrot Head community fundraisers and house concerts which are held all over the country.
Brendan Mayer

Brendan Mayer

Brendan Mayer is quickly gaining attention as an artist and songwriter, with his signature voice and intelligent songs. The son of acclaimed guitarist and songwriter, Peter Mayer, Brendan has crafted his unique voice from a young age. A long time resident of Nashville, Brendan was the lead singer of buzz-band, The Turf, sharing the stage with successful acts such as American Bang and Jeff the Brotherhood.
Harold Boothe

Harold Boothe

Check out more about Harold!
Aaron Scherz

Aaron Scherz

Aaron always knew he was going to do something "different". But he couldn't have imagined that "different" would involve tropical islands, sail boats, catamarans, Parrotheads, Meeting Of The Minds, Coral Reefers, and a multi-platinum Songwriting career!
Bill Whyte

Bill Whyte

The PHIP Board of Directors and MOTM Team are thrilled to announce that the 30th Annual Meeting of the Minds will hosted by an all-star duo sharing the emcee duties. Radio Margaritaville's Renee Adams will be joined by singer-songwriter, comic and Country Music Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster Bill Whyte!
Don Middlebrook
Steve Hopper

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.
Reggie Starrett
Jerry Diaz

Jerry Diaz

Your tropical getaway is waiting. And Jerry Diaz is your tour guide.
Donny Brewer

Donny Brewer

Donny Brewer is a Central Texas born and bred multi-instrumentalist with over 30 years experience entertaining crowds in all genres in all parts of the world. Though he has been writing and recording Trop Rock all his life, he was not discovered until 2012 after releasing his first of five beach and escapism themed albums, Live Like Jimmy Buffett.
Wheeland Brothers

Wheeland Brothers

The Wheeland Brothers combine fun, catchy melody and lyrics with the cool attitude and positive energy of reggae, as well as the down-to-earth, organic honesty of acoustic rock, ukulele lullabies, and flip flop hip hop. Sunshine music inspired by waves, hangin’ with friends, and dreaming of distant shores.
Homemade Wine

Homemade Wine

After parting ways in 2015, Homemade Wine left a lasting mark on the Southern rock scene. Now, for the first time since 2012, the original members are reuniting for a one-night show at Meeting of the Minds, offering a rare chance to hear their music live once more.
Coley McCabe

Coley McCabe

Coley is the TRMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Her song “Grow Young With You” was featured in the Natalie Portman / Ashley Judd film, “Where The Heart Is,” and she co-wrote the top 5 Platinum-selling SheDaisy hit “Lucky 4 U.” She hails from West Virginia and has had songs recorded by artists ranging from Bill Anderson to Loretta Lynn. She also starred in the film “Alabama Love Story.”
Jim Hoehn

Jim Hoehn

Jim Hoehn is a career journalist/author/songwriter who has carved out a surprisingly successful niche as a performing songwriter since first stumbling out of the press box with a guitar.
El Wencho

El Wencho

El Wencho Is... a powerhouse duo with big sound that relates the Montana lifestyle through immersive lyrics, catchy melodies and driving rhythms.
Jonas Lorence Band

Jonas Lorence Band

The Jonas Lorence Band is a party band that specializes in their own blend of Texas Trop Rock with a bluesy edge BUT also covers a lot of fun classic rock hits and beach bar favorites from Kenny Chesney to Jim Morris.