Jacksonville Country Music Act Brings “The Heat” to the Southeast
Thanks for your time. So tell us in what part of the First Coast do you reside now and how long have you lived there?
Thanks so much for having me. I was born and raised near the Chesapeake Bay, but I’ve lived in Jacksonville since 2008. Specifically, I’ve been in Murray Hill since 2015.
When did you know you had an interest in music?
I think the interest was there long before I could consciously recognize it. There’s a photo of me playfully strumming a guitar 3-4 times my size when I was just a toddler. My mother and grandmother realized I could carry a tune early on and always provided opportunities for me to explore that interest. They never seemed to complain, even though I’m sure it sounded like noise for many years.
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
I started out as a singer, my mom would take me to sing wherever they’d have me as young as 5 or 6 years old. I picked up guitar at 7, but I don’t think I really took the idea of being a musician seriously until about 12 or 13. That’s when I wanted to learn every instrument I could get my hands on.
Are you currently in a band (or bands)?
Yes, I perform with a group called Dean Winter & The Heat with Jack Mock on guitar, Jeremy Blanton on bass, and Ty Sullivan on the drums.
Who is your favorite musician or what musician influenced you the most?
I think trying to land on one artist would have me awake for days considering the right answer. George Jones and James Taylor spring to mind as two very influential artists for me. My grandmother was the only person in my family who played (mostly hymns on the piano or organ) and she was a tremendous influence on me musically as well, she drove around with a George Jones cassette tape in the deck for a good bit of my childhood so I suppose that’s likely where that answer comes from. I have to add that 90s country radio may be the single greatest genre to influence me over the years. My mom drove a convertible Oldsmobile Cutlass when I was in grade school and there was always country music playing. I like to say most stories from my childhood start with what car we were driving and what song was on the radio.
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?
I’m grateful to have many fond memories from my career so far, but I think one that stands out is the festival that we threw at Intuition Ale Works last summer to release our record on vinyl, we called it Heat Fest. We had some really great folks come alongside us and share that bill, and I was absolutely blown away by all the people that showed up to support. We could definitely feel the love from the First Coast that night, and we had an absolute blast.
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
The music scene in Jacksonville is very underrated in my opinion. If you stumble into live music any night of the week, there’s a good chance you’re going to witness some solid talent. Our very own, Jeremy Blanton, has been releasing some solo music so I have to shout him out, and for a very abbreviated list I’ll say Rambler Kane, Coyboi, Patsy’s Daydream, and Rickolus. Also, you have to check out our good friend Brother Jukebox spinning classic country music on vinyl all over town.
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
We’ve had the opportunity to play the majority of the venues in town over the years and I have to say how grateful we are to have been asked to play in the first place and to continue to bring us back is just really sweet. Thanks to all the venues in town and the folks that run them, we couldn’t be us without you. I have to double down and say that we’ve had such an amazing experience every time we’ve been lucky enough to play at Intuition Ale Works.
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
We’ll be back at Jacksonville PorchFest in Springfield on 11/09. We’d love to see everyone out there.
What is the best way for musicians to network?
I would say interacting with the folks in town making art similar to what you’re aspiring to do is key. Obviously, you want to take in all the live music you can and find the time to chat it up with the bands and artists. I’ll also shout out my oldest friend in Jacksonville, John Shannon, for everything he is doing with Duval Crew, we have a growing network of touring professionals here in Jax and he is giving folks a platform to connect and network.
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?
I have to rave about Jenna Richey aka Mouth of the South. She took us in from day one and has always looked out for us, connecting us with folks in the scene and providing opportunities for live country music in Jacksonville. Her and Pam at Sherwoods were responsible for the monthly honky tonk nights we did out there for almost two years straight.
Brad at Intuition has always been such a class act, and the talent that he has brought to downtown Jacksonville is incredible, very thankful for Brad’s support and willingness to have us out there for some great shows.
We’ve had some unforgettable nights at the beach with the whole Fly’s Tie crew out in AB, and Cara with Blue Jay Listening Room in Jax Beach. What Cara has been able to do, elevating the Jacksonville music scene by providing a listening room space, is truly unmatched. If you haven’t caught your favorite up and coming songwriter there, or seen one of the incredible jam nights you’re really missing out.
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
As my personal relationship with creating music and playing live evolves as I navigate the middle of my 30’s I’m most interested in how other artist’s relationship to their art has changed over the years.
Personal hobbies or interests? Family?
I have an amazing partner, Taylor Cook, who I have been lucky enough to have sing on a few of my tunes and share the last several years of my life with. We have a dog named Lady and two cats, Winnie and Dolly. I’m a die hard sports fan, go Jags! Big Baltimore Orioles baseball fan as well. Taylor and I love hitting the various thrift shops and antique stores around town. My main hobby has become Disc Golf, there’s a really great community of folks playing here on the First Coast, shoutout to Par On Disc golf.
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
I have always said the best thing about living here on the first coast is that whatever interests you, whatever you’re passionate about, you will find other likeminded people who are passionate about the same thing. If someone hasn’t already organized a group, started a band, created a space for what fills your cup, do it yourself and the community will show up to support every time.
Where and how can folks learn more about you and/or your band? Links to your website?
www.deanwinterandtheheat.com
@deanwinterandtheheat
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone reading this?
We’ve been taking some time away this year. We’ve been working on tracking a handful of new tunes that we can’t wait to share with everyone, and we’re hoping to be back out and about bringing the Heat all around the First Coast and beyond this Fall and into 2025. Thank you to everyone who has hosted a show, come out to support, or found us online. Again, we couldn’t be us without y’all.
Photos by: Jesse Brantman and Sindy Gonzalez
Music Video by: Carl Rosen & Bobby Marino
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
