Kyle Mitchell

Southern Sunday
Posted by: pcleditor
September 22, 2015

BY JUDD MANUEL PHOTOS BY ERIC MARCUS
Southern Sunday has been playing in and around Panama City in one form or another for the last three years. The fact that this band has been able to consistently book gigs in many respectable venues in the area and build a fan base with no formal recordings, press kits or other PR should tell you that they know how to make an impression. Or rather, that they just ARE impressive.
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The group consists of four young Panama City natives with a passion for making country music. Vocalist Kyle Mitchell is simply everything you want him to be. He was a pitcher at Gulf Coast State College and then played for Auburn University in Montgomery. Lately he has been working hard for a contracting company rebuilding a mill in Alabama when he is not playing music. Kyle’s voice stands out. “This is not a hokey, put-on, I’m moving from a Detroit to a Nashville type of country voice. This is the real deal.” Kyle explained during our interview that it was somewhat of an undiscovered talent.
After moving back home from Alabama, Kyle decided he liked singing and met Pam and Stephen Elliott at Elliott Vocal Studios. Pam encouraged Kyle and introduced him to Alec Koutrous who was teaching guitar lessons at the time. They hit it off and began making music together. Alec was well-versed in the genre and has spent time in Nashville as a guitarist at Tootsies. After playing together for a year, they brought in lead guitarist TJ Dorman. Alec knew TJ previously from late night bonfire jams and decided he would be a good addition. TJ doesn’t come specifically from a country guitar background, but he is a mean lead guitar player. He studied for two years under one of everyone’s favorite local guitarists, the late, great Justin Ayers. TJ is always entertaining to watch, as he tends to improvise and work on the fly rather than write rigid riffs, so you never get the same show twice. Most recently, Scott Fryer of the band Barbed Wire Creek has joined Southern Sunday band and plays percussion.
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Southern Sunday during one of their recent gigs at g.Foley’s restaurant, from left: Kyle Mitchell, vocals; Alec Kotrous, acoustic rhythm guitar; TJ Dorman, electric guitar, plays lead. Scott Fryer (not pictured), lead drummer for Barbed Wire Creek, plays with the band almost every gig.
Southern Sunday is currently nearing completion of their first four-song EP which they are recording at Boogie Tracks Recording Studio with J.J. Cruz and Chaz Butler. You can expect to hear a moderately modern take on country music with plenty of genuine classic charm. I can’t wait to hear Mitchell’s voice in all its mastered stereo glory. The EP is tentatively scheduled to drop sometime in late September, but you can catch Southern Sunday live most weekends somewhere between Panama City and Apalachicola. Their sound accurately encompasses all those feelings that their name might stir in you. As I think about it, my family, big breakfasts, church services, lunch with cousins, and aunts and uncles at my
grandparents’ house in Bonifay come to mind. Then, hunting. My grandpa didn’t hunt on Sundays, but my Pa always did.
In general, these memories are a wealth of positive feelings. There is also the type of Southern Sunday referenced in the Johnny Cash classic, Sunday Morning Coming Down. This particular type of low is also quite common in the South. Cash referenced the Sunday morning experience rather than just any ole morning after.
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There’s a slow reverence about a Sunday. I can’t quite place it, but you can feel it in the South. It’s almost mythical, intangible and not often spoken of, yet I think most of us can relate. In addition, it’s one helluva name for a band.
These boys can make it, and I highly recommend catching them here in our hometown before they inevitably set out for the big time. You can find out how to catch them by checking their schedule on Facebook at facebook.com/ southernsunday850 or you can email them for bookings at southernsunday850@gmail.com. - Panama City Living

PANAMA CITY — There’s no password required, but you’ll still need to enter through the back door.

The Backstage Pass concert series returns to the Marina Civic Center every Friday in August and September. The unique experience places the audience seating directly on stage with the bands.

Enter through the backstage door at 8 Harrison Ave., downtown Panama City. Admission is $5. Shows start at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s the schedule: Aug. 4, Southern Sunday; Aug. 11, Horn Stew; Aug. 18, Ghetto Palace presents Will Thompson and Friends; Aug. 25, Go Big or Go Home; Sept. 1, True Soul; Sept. 8, Turtlefoot; Sept. 15, Jeff Carter Group; Sept. 22, Reasonable Doubt; and Sept. 29, Anthony Peebles.​

Southern Sunday is a local country music group made up of band members Alec Kotrous, Kyle Mitchell and TJ Dorman. They play a wide variety of cover songs as well as several originals, and they list influences like Keith Whitley, Chris Young, Randy Travis, Garth Brooks and Ted Nugent. Learn more at Facebook.com/SouthernSunday850. - Panama City News Herald

The 2016 Backstage Pass Summer Concert Series is an indoor concert series featuring local bands live at the Marina Civic Center.

Reserved Tables On Sale Now! $50

Tickets at door $5

Tables include admission for 4 guests, reserved table seating near stage, and 8 drink tickets.

In a time where a traditional country band is hard to find, Southern Sunday is proud to be a part of the movement to keep the sound of country music alive. Their music shares the sound of true country while also adding in a modern flair and a blended variety.

Based out of Panama City, FL, Southern Sunday brings a touch of southern charm, as well as a taste of the more modern beach life to their laid back style. From sounds of Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, Daryle Singletary and Garth Brooks to Chris Young, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert, they offer a wide variety of music guaranteed to satisfy the ear of any country music fan.
Southern Sunday offers a variety of set up options to meet the needs of any venue or client. From a duo including a vocalist and lead guitar, to a four piece band including lead guitar and drums, they are flexible and able to customize their sound for any occasion or event. This incredible country band has hosted many venues and concerts from Stars and Guitars 2016 to local bars, saloons, weddings, restaurants and private parties. They have opened for acts such as Daryle Singletary, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnut, Ashton Sheppard, Andy Griggs, Montgomery Gentry, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin. - Bay Arts Alliance

Join us for live music at Pineapple Willy's Live with Southern Sunday!

Don't miss this Nashville style country acoustic group with sounds that come from deep down in the honky tonks of Texas all the way to the country roots of the Appalachians. - Localz Events

SOUTHERN SUNDAY

During Bike Week Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th of October! In the Two Buck Saloon! - Eventful

In addition to Schooners and Buster’s, this year’s competitors include Spinnaker, Patches Pub and Grill, Moe’s Original Bar B Que, C-Level, Dick’s Wings, Vic’s Sports Bar, Chubby’s, Foghorn’s, Christo’s, Pineapple Willy’s/Wicked Wheel, Dat Cajun Place, Shipyard Grill, Sheraton Bay Point Resort, Dirty Dick’s Crab House, Dockside, Sisters of the Sea, Grand Marlin, and Dolce 101/Salty Goat.

For a $20 wristband, sample all you want in 5-ounce cups, then use your ticket to vote. Competitions also are heating up for the Best Booth and Best Token Collection Box. Admission is free if you aren’t drinking Bloody Mary cocktails; just get your favorite beverage from Schooners’ bar inside or on the beach, where tents began going up Wednesday.

“We’ll have tents, a stage, music, bands,” Jochum said. “Every time we throw a party on the beach people show up.”

And that party extends into the water, which becomes a sea of anchored boats. Hang out in the sand or water and listen to Southern Sunday on the stage, as well as the Ukulele Orchestra of St. Andrews. - panama City News Herald

Benefit to raise money for the Lucky Puppy Rescue hosted by Central Panhandle Association of Realtors. $40 admission fee, live music by Nashville recording artist "Southern Sunday", silent auction, BBQ, raffle and a cash bar. - Emerald Coast Magazine