This musical soul search leads to Lakewood Ranch

Drummer Tim Mulberry says different regions of the country have their own sound when it comes to the blues.

When the second Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest opens at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at Waterside Park, Mulberry and his The Shaelyn Band co-performers will be treating those in attendance to the Florida sound.

The Shaelyn Band, named for lead singer Shaelyn Mulberry — Tim's wife — was selected by event co-producers Paul Benjamin and Morgan Bettes Angell to set the tone for the rest of the festival, which includes six more nationally-renowned bands.

Based out of Lake City, The Shaelyn Band hangs its musical hat on Shaelyn Mulberry's powerful voice and extraordinary range alongside seven talented bandmates whose booming sound will set the bar high for the bands to follow.

But those who arrive for the opener might find the sound is only part of the show. The Shaelyn Band has become known for its moves on stage as well.

Tim Mulberry said it all comes together because the band takes its job seriously.

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"You don't get tight without some sort of structure," he said. "Yes, we make sure it's tight."

The Florida sound, and moves, are meant to get the crowd on its feet dancing, along with providing moments to "reflect on the joys of love and life."

The band was formed in 2020 and released The Shaelyn Band album in 2022. In 2023, the band won the Villages Blues Society Challenge which sent them to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Did that moment prove that the band had made it?

"Man, this is a never-ending journey," said Tim Mulberry, who once toured as the Black Eyed Peas' drummer. "If you are a full-time musician, and your goal is to 'make it,' then don't do this. If you feel you've made it, you lose that drive. The thing about good music is that it's never about trying to win over anyone.

"You need to be happy just serving the people and keeping your calendar full. We just do us, and our music evolves, and grows. Everything we do, we do 100%. You can feel the layers of our band, which is made up of true performers. You can feel everyone's sound."

That starts with Shaelyn Mulberry.

"You can tell when the sound is natural born and raised in a church," Tim Mulberry said of his wife. "She grew up with a certain soul. She was taught to attach emotion to the lyrics. She had that soul-stirring, revival experience. You can see it and hear it in every note, like you did with Aretha Franklin and Joyce Kennedy.

"This is Florida-grown blues."

Tim and Shaelyn met when she was attending the University of Florida. They both were in the same gospel group. Eventually, he had to convince her that she could front a band and sing the blues. When she attended the University of Florida, she was a fan of country music, as well as gospel.

That history all has built the band's stage presence. Benjamin and Bettes Angell are hoping Lakewood Ranch blues fans will want to check it out. Last year's blues festival on Kingfisher Lake only attracted about 750 fans, and they are hoping for over a thousand this time around.

Tim Mulberry played the drums for Kat Riggins when she played in last year's Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.

"The festival was great," he said. "The location is ridiculous. It is perfect, and it is going to get crazy here. It will explode."

The festival continues to have major sponsors in Bank of America and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

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“By investing in the arts and local talent, we are inspiring individuals to connect with each other and across cultures, amplifying the voices of our vibrant cultural community,” said Stephenie Whitfield, the president of Bank of America Sarasota/Manatee in a release.

Bettes Angell said having Bank of America as a presenting sponsor helps the festival compile some of the nation's top blues talent.

“Their support not only enhances the quality of our festival but also strengthens our mission to bring people together through music and local culture," she said in a release. "Their support amplifies everything we do—from the music to the community impact.”

That impact starts with The Shaelyn Band.

Tim Mulberry said it is an honor whether his band is opening the festival, or closing it as the final band of the day. He said he hopes the crowd connects with his band that he said doesn't follow industry standards.

The band will slide from blues into funk at times, and even rock.

He expects more people will attend the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest each year.

"It is going to grow," he said of the festival. "It just takes time."