What a week it’s been.

Four shows in seven days, and every single one brought something special. From packed rooms to new stages to a bittersweet goodbye, this run reminded us exactly why we love doing what we do.

We kicked things off at Double Roads Tavern, where the energy was high right out of the gate. That place always feels like home—loud, engaged, and ready to go from the first note. You set the tone for the entire week.

Next came a night that meant a lot —our farewell show for GDR - The Greatest Decades of Rock (several of the same band members, plus the lovely and talented Jill Minor). That band has been a big part of our journey, and saying goodbye wasn’t easy. But if you’re going to close a chapter, that’s how you do it: surrounded by friends, great music, and a crowd that understands what it all meant.

Then it was on to a midweek curveball: a rare Wednesday night show at the Athens Theatre in DeLand. We didn’t quite know what to expect going in, but you all showed up in a big way. Seeing that kind of turnout and enthusiasm on a weeknight meant a lot to us. The Athens is such a special room, and you helped make it unforgettable.

We wrapped things up on the west coast with our first time playing Mango Rita’s in Fort Myers. New venues always bring a bit of the unknown, but this one delivered. Great crowd, great vibe, and an awesome addition to the places we can’t wait to return to. Huge thanks to everyone who came out and made us feel welcome.

Four shows. Different cities. Different vibes. Same incredible support from all of you.

As always, we don’t take any of it for granted.

More shows are on the way, and we’re already looking forward to the next time we get to see you out there. Until then—thank you for making this past week one we won’t forget.

Since forming this band eight year ago, we've always been driven by one thing—bringing great music to life and delivering an unforgettable experience for our fans. Whether we’re playing high-energy rock favorites or deep cuts that true music lovers appreciate, we’re constantly looking for ways to raise the bar.

That’s why we’re excited to share what we’ve been working on behind the scenes…

We recently announced this, but we are officially expanding our show to include a brand-new tribute: “Rosanna – A Tribute to the Music of Toto.”

This isn’t just a small addition—it’s something we’ve been pouring a lot of time, energy, and passion into. The music of Toto is iconic, layered, and incredibly dynamic (not to mention REALLY high to sing),  and we’re committed to doing it right. From tight vocal harmonies to intricate musicianship, we’re working hard to capture the sound and spirit that made these songs legendary.

You can expect to hear many of Toto’s biggest hits—songs that defined an era and continue to resonate with fans today. Tracks like “Rosanna,” “Africa,” and “Hold the Line” are just the beginning. Our goal is to create a tribute experience that feels authentic, powerful, and true to the music we all love.

We’re incredibly excited about how this is coming together, and we can’t wait to bring it to the stage.

Stay tuned for more details, including our official debut date, upcoming performances, and sneak peeks along the way.

As always, thank you for your continued support—it’s what allows us to keep growing, evolving, and doing what we love.

— Smokin Renegade 

On March 28, we had the chance to check off a new milestone—our first time performing at OCC Roadhouse in Clearwater, FL—and it’s safe to say it exceeded every expectation.

The moment we arrived, we knew this place was something special - an amazing layout designed to be a fun atmosphere for enjoying live music.  The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making sure everything ran smoothly from load-in to last call. That kind of professionalism and care doesn’t go unnoticed, and it set the tone for a great night.

The sound crew? Absolutely top-notch. Every note, every harmony, every hit landed just right, and that makes all the difference when you’re trying to deliver a high-energy show. We felt locked in from the first song, and that’s a testament to the team behind the board.

We also want to give a special thank you to the owner, who was nothing short of gracious. It means a lot to be welcomed like that, especially on a first visit.

As for the show itself—we brought a full night of Styx and Foreigner tributes, and the crowd was right there with us. Singing along, feeding the energy, and making it one of those nights where everything just clicks. There’s nothing better than feeling that connection, especially in a venue like this.

First shows at new venues can be a bit of a question mark—but this one turned into an unforgettable experience. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity and hopeful it’s the first of many more nights at OCC Roadhouse.

If you were there, thank you for being part of it. If you missed it, we’ll be back—and you won’t want to miss the next one.

One of the coolest parts about being in this band is the opportunity to travel. We’ve had the chance to play stages all over Florida, meet incredible people, and experience some amazing venues along the way. A few of our members have even toured nationally in past projects, playing to big crowds in cities across the country. Those experiences shaped us, sharpened us, and gave us a deep appreciation for what live music can do.

But at the end of the day, there’s nothing like playing at home.

The local music scene is where it all starts. It’s where relationships are built, where bands grow, where fans become friends, and where Friday and Saturday nights turn into memories that last for years. No matter how far we travel, we truly enjoy playing locally and being part of the community that supports us.

There’s something special about looking out from the stage and seeing familiar faces — people who have been with us from the beginning, people who bring friends to shows, people who request songs, sing along, and help create that energy you can’t manufacture. That connection is powerful. It reminds us why we do this.

We also believe in supporting the other musicians in our area. The local scene isn’t a competition — it’s a community. Every band, every songwriter, every venue owner, every sound engineer plays a role in keeping live music alive. When you come out to see any local act, you’re helping sustain something bigger than just one night of entertainment. You’re keeping creativity thriving in your own backyard.

We’re proud of the opportunities we’ve had across Florida, and we’re grateful for the experiences that have shaped us. But we’re equally proud to be a local band. To play neighborhood venues. To headline hometown stages. To share bills with other local talent. To be part of something that feels authentic and connected.

So whether you’ve seen us in another city or right here at home, thank you. Your support — not just for us, but for all local musicians — makes this possible. Keep coming out. Keep supporting live music. Keep showing up for your local scene.

We’ll see you at the next show — right here at home. 🎸

Our recent travel show at Clermont Performing Arts Center was one for the books.

From the first note to the last, the crowd brought an incredible level of energy. The room was alive—singing along, cheering between songs, and giving us that electric connection that every band hopes for when they travel. It didn’t matter how far from home we were; the audience made us feel right at home.

Just as impressive was the team behind the scenes. The staff at Clermont Performing Arts Center were welcoming, professional, and genuinely excited to have us there. That kind of hospitality makes a huge difference, especially on a travel date.

And the production? Absolutely top notch. The stage setup, sound, and overall production quality were outstanding. The stage and sound crew nailed it from start to finish, giving us a mix that felt powerful and polished, and allowing us to focus on what we do best—putting on a great show.

Nights like this remind us why we love getting out on the road. Amazing fans, great venues, and talented crews all coming together to create something special.

A huge thank you to everyone at Clermont Performing Arts Center and to the incredible crowd that made this night unforgettable. We hope to be back soon—and if you were there, thank you for being part of a truly special show.

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to launch 2026 than our first show of the year at Double Roads.

From the moment we hit the stage, the energy in the room was electric. The crowd was loud, engaged, and ready to go from the first note to the last encore. Singing along, clapping, dancing, and feeding off every riff—this was one of those nights that reminds us exactly why we do this.

Double Roads delivered the perfect atmosphere: packed room, great sound, and a crowd that felt like part of the band by the end of the night. Every song seemed to lift the energy another notch higher, and by the final stretch, it felt like the whole bar was moving together.

To everyone who came out early, stayed late, and brought that incredible vibe—thank you. You helped set the tone for what we hope will be an unforgettable year of shows. If this night was any indication, 2026 is going to be something special.

Huge thanks to Bill, Donna, and the entire Double Roads crew for having us and taking such great care of us. We can’t wait to be back.

If you missed this one, don’t worry—more shows are coming soon. Until then, we’re still riding the high from an amazing night and an even better crowd.

See you at the next show 🤘

Greetings all!  What a year.

As we close the door on 2025, we just want to take a moment to say thank you. This year was packed with loud nights, sold-out rooms, new faces in the crowd, and moments we’ll be talking about for a long time. From sweaty club shows to unforgettable festival stages, 2025 reminded us exactly why we started this band in the first place.

We hit some major milestones this year:

• Played some of our favorite venues to date
• Took the music to new cities and new fans
• Released new material that you made louder than we ever imagined
• Shared the stage with some incredible bands and friends

Every show, every sing-along, every late-night drive between gigs—it all added up to our strongest year yet. And none of it happens without you showing up, turning it up, and spreading the word.

Looking Ahead to 2026 

Now for the part we’re really excited about…

2026 is already shaping up to be big.

We’re locking in new tour dates and venues as we speak, including stops in both familiar cities and a few places we’ve never played before (about time). Expect bigger rooms, better sound, and the same no-holding-back live shows you’ve come to expect from us.

We’ll be announcing:

• New 2026 show dates
• New venues and cities
• A few surprises we’re not quite ready to spill yet
• Keep an eye on this site, and our socials—announcements are coming soon.

From the Bottom of Our Amps

If you caught us live in 2025, streamed the music, grabbed some merch, or told a friend about the band—thank you. You’re the reason we get to keep doing this, and we don’t take that lightly.

2025 raised the bar.

2026 is about to blow the roof off.

See you out there.

— Smokin Renegade

Our good friends in Turnstiles - a Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel - recently performed at the Wellington 30th Anniversary celebration.  And they were surprised when the received a visit from the Piano Man himself - Billy Joel!

You can read all about it here.

We are extremely proud of our musical brothers and extended tribute family and their amazing talent. If you haven't had a chance to see them, please check out their schedule for a show date near you. 

[photo credit - Heather Nelson]

The band took to the stage at the newly expanded and renovated Sharkeys in Coral Springs.  We were very proud to be one of the first bands to break in the new room.  And the crowd, as usual, did not disappoint!

Wall-to-wall people for the entire evening, from start to finish!  Many of our local fans were there (thank you as always!), but there were also many new faces that we had the chance to meet and entertain. And ya'll kept the crowd energy going, which is what gives us the drive to perform the best show we can!

Rich Kushner, the owner of Sharkeys has been working on this expansion for several months.  The new stage is bigger, and there is much more space for seating and tables.  Along with a new sound system, and new lighting (coming soon), Sharkeys is fast becoming the premier live music venue in Coral Springs/Parkland area!

To Rich, and ALL our fans, we thank you!  Let's keep rollin!

Smokin Renegade is featured in this month's issue of The Parklander magazine.  

Smokin Renegade The amazing world of playing in a rock cover band

Finding a niche in the South Florida cover band scene was not easy, but Frank Vestry, 62, lead vocalist of the Smokin Renegade classic rock tribute band, found a niche covering the music of rock bands Boston and Styx, both popular in the late 1970s–80s.

The band takes their name from the Boston song “Smokin’ ” on its 1976 debut album, the B-side to its first single, “More Than a Feeling,” and the 1979 Styx hit song “Renegade” from its “Pieces of Eight” album.

“When the band gathered together for the first practice, it was in a word—amazing,” Vestry writes on the band’s website. “Once the first run-through of the songs was complete, we knew we had something special.”

Vestry says, “Everything gelled together.”

You can read the entire article here:

Smokin Renegade - The Parklander Magazine