Tampa is filled with calls and texts asking where is the lineup for the 2024 WiLDsplash concert.  The short answer is our annual, spring break celebration is a show without a home.  To understand why, you'd have to have all the backstory.  The show that featured 50 Cent, DMX, and Lil Wayne, to Cardi B, Rod Wave, and Lil Baby was made possible by one man, Bill Horne.  This incredible human began his 20-year career, as Clearwater City Manager in 2000 and opened a door for WiLDsplash. Coachman Park was a home for oldies concerts, fireworks, and jazz.  That was it.  Families and old folks.  However, this new leadership wanted younger people to enjoy the park too.  I was invited to have a meeting with the city to pitch an idea. This all plays into the question where is the WiLDsplash concert?

The idea of us pitching was well received (by some) but other city staff started to bring in Source magazines and CD covers with artist holding guns.  This wasn't a great selling point for the Clearwater PD brass or many on city council.  While we were presenting different artists from the worlds of pop, R&B and reggae, mostly this would be a hip hop show.  We wanted spring breakers, who loved the culture, to feel this was their show.  Bill Horne and his team wanted the same "but these guns, Orlando?" was asked a lot.  It didn't help that the first year was 50 Cent.  The city council learned more about Curtis Jackson than they ever wanted to know. Bill kept a close eye on us but let us earn his trust also.  I will always remember him for that courtesy.  We gave Clearwater the biggest festival, in the state, for 17 years.

We lost Bill Horne in 2021.  Coachman Park was being renovated but it was presented like it would be great for the city and WiLD.  As completion of  "The Sound" (Coachman Park's new name) is approaching, it feels less great for WiLD but still good for the city.  Chicago, Kenny Loggins, Michael Franti and the Goo Goo Dolls are all set to play.  Really feels like more than Bill is missing from the new sound.  We'll see but while it's a pretty space, communication about us returning is silent. WiLDsplash is a spring break party and the St. Pete Grand Prix keeps us from that option unless in May or June.  That kills it's essence.  Our last show, at Coachman, was the Saturday before COVID-19 shut down the world the following Tuesday. I hate to think that was our last time but we're trying to find a new home.  A home for our WiLD fam and spring break visitors.

We are still searching for that perfect home for WiLDsplash that captures that spring break essence. One venue we've been interested in working with is the St. Pete Pier. With their success of Rise Up concert series that featured Ludacris, G-Eazy, and more, we're optimistic that they could be the new home for WiLDsplash. But nothing is set in stone yet. If the Pier becomes the new home for our beloved WiLDsplash, it will be too late for a March 2024 concert. But know we haven't given up; we are determined to bring back WiLDsplash and make it better than ever. We will keep this post updated with any new information.

As the weekend hits where we'd normally be hosting the show, we thought we should share some WiLDsplash memories.  That cover pic is one of my favorite years, when DMX came home from jail.  It was 2011 and no one was booking him yet.  Even when we reached out to our label people, there were more questions than answers.  All we heard was "Dog wanna work!" People were leery about if he would be a great addition or a mess.  Even the price.

We paid this iconic MC exactly what is asked us for.  $15,000.  That performance fee, for a headliner is unheard of.  Even 11 years ago. Currently Lil Baby is $500k, Rod Wave about $300k (and rising) and T-Pain is $100k, so 15 was easy.  The Clearwater City Manager, Bill Horne was so nervous we wanted DMX to close the show.  Our love and his nervousness served one of my favorite WiLDsplash memories.

Million dollar condos, Tom Cruise as a neighbor, there's always a hard curfew.  By this 2012 year, we'd earned some trust but they were afraid DMX would "rile em up" before leaving the park.  We needed him done at 9 and it's 9:15 and LIT! Backstage Bill told me "Orlando, you've earned equity with me but we have to have this done by 9:30 or we're cutting his mic." We told management and they told the dog.  He nodded.  At 9:29, with Bill Horne side stage with me, he motioned for it to be cut.  I knew that would go well so I begged let him wrap up. The song ending, X say's "let us pray"!  Bill Horne stopped them and said "wait, he's praying!" The crowd of 15,000 people were silent as he lead one of his classic prayers. People left, not an issue and they were amazed.  Wow.