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On Tuesday Nights, Brandon Pub Sings The Blues

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2008

BRANDON - Everyone gets the blues now and then. But for many local residents and musicians, it happens like clockwork - every Tuesday night in the heart of Brandon.

That's when the blues jams cook at O'Toole's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1215 W. Brandon Blvd.

"The blues is a universal, everyone-get-together thing," said Mike Murray, a guitar player who frequents the event.

"It is good music," said Linda Hinkle of Brandon, who doesn't play but loves to listen and likes the crowd the music attracts. "It's a young, old, in-between mix."

The jams started five years ago at the Smoking Dog, a now-defunct club in Riverview, and then bounced around to different places before landing at O'Toole's in September.

The jam was organized by Tommy Bell, leader of the house band, the Belecasters. His group kicks off each Tuesday evening with a few songs before ceding the stage to musicians in the audience. The bands change as musicians join and fall out.

The music starts at 8:30 p.m. and continues past midnight.

To view an audio slide show about blues night at O'Toole's Irish Pub and Restaurant, go to Brandon.TBO.com, keyword: Blues Jam.

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