Ally Venable, who plays Coachman Park in Clearwater, Florida on March 2, 2025. Credit: Photo via Ruf Records

Love is for sale on the last day of this annual Coachman Park shindig when Chris O’Leary—one of the smoothest voices in roots rock—pushes his latest album The Hard Line.

On it, the New York boy channels rockabilly and the early days of blues (the record has a vibe similar to the Rolling Stones’ 2016 cover album Blues and Lonesome), while also expressing how he was able to let out his frustrations of being a Marine on “I Cry At Night.”

O’Leary also mentored under Levon Helm at one point, and with Garth Hudson being the last member of The Band’s lineup to pass on in January, at least downtown Clearwater will get to hear The Band’s influence in real life as part of this three-day party.

Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival kicks off Friday night with Flow Tribe, then spends two full days in the park where artists include Eric Gales, “Experience Hendrix” alum Ally Venable, Chris O’Leary, and more.

There’s no cover for the Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival happening Friday-Sunday, Feb. 28-March 2 at Coachman Park and the BayCare Sound.