Open Letter: Live Music at Cottonmouth

My name is Lauren Mitchell. I am a former Village of The Arts resident, a 20-plus-year resident of the greater Sarasota-Bradenton area, and, as of February 2024, a Grammy-winning vocalist from the Grammy-winning album, “Basie Swings the Blues”, with The Count Basie Orchestra. I am writing to you on behalf of David Shiplett, owner of Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, located at 1114 12th St W, in the Village of the Arts, as well as on behalf of independent artists who often tour through Bradenton because Mr. Shiplett’s venue provides us with a space to perform. 

As an artist, it means the world to me to come home to the area where I built my career in music and perform for the fans who helped get me started. Whenever I have that opportunity, I spend 2 consecutive nights singing to sold-out crowds at Cottonmouth Southern  Soul Kitchen. Even though I am temporarily residing outside the USA for my career, when I do come back to Florida, I am always able to come home to Village of the Arts because Mr. Shiplett graciously provides me with a venue to perform.  

Moreover, as an independent artist who does not have the infrastructure within my business to sell out a venue like the Van Wezel or the Players’ Theatre, Cottonmouth provides me with the perfect space to perform. It is a venue that can hold most of my local fans, without stretching my touring budget past the limitations of a small, independent business.  Cottonmouth’s location also allows me to perform in Bradenton, as opposed to taking my show north of the Skyway to The Palladium Theatre in St Petersburg, thus making sure more of my hometown fans are able to attend the show, due to proximity and not forcing them to drive almost an hour to attend my concerts.  

I understand that Mr. Shiplett has recently been having trouble with his neighbors over “noise” complaints. It is unconscionable that people who extoll the virtues of living in a neighborhood full of artists, live music venues, & creativity are now, unfortunately, causing problems for a small business that is doing the very things these people claim enticed them to the area several years ago. I will further submit that live music is not “noise.” Noise comes from lawnmowers, leaf blowers, automobile traffic, sirens, and the like. MUSIC comes from musicians playing their instruments together to create melodies and songs.  

What concerns me even more than the way these neighbors are treating Mr. Shiplett is the possibility of Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen closing, either because of the financial hardship this ongoing battle is causing Mr. Shiplett or because the wonderful folks at Cottonmouth just don't want to fight with their neighbors any longer.

You see, when small,  independent venues close, the independent artists who perform there are also shut out of work. Artists like me, many of whom also have musical accolades & awards, need smaller venues to perform in to keep our businesses thriving. When we tour through Bradenton, not only are we supporting ourselves via our performance fees & ticket sales, we are also supporting the local Bradenton economy. We spend money on hotel rooms after our shows, in Bradenton restaurants while we’re in town, at gas stations before we leave, all the while encouraging our fans to spend their money at a locally owned, Bradenton business.

Neighborhoods like VoTA are rare and special. They are economic engines for those who live and operate businesses within them, as well as a draw for tourist dollars that usually end up spent on Anna Maria Island. Every performer I know advertises their shows at  Cottonmouth via social media, as well as in local and online publications dedicated to promoting live music. Without a space such as Cottonmouth in VoTA, the Downtown Bradenton area would be severely lacking not only in a small live music venue but also in reasons for tourists to leave the Island for an evening and enjoy another wonderful, lively area of Bradenton.  

I have known Mr. Shiplett personally for many years now, and believe he is acting in good faith and in compliance with the city's rules and ordinances. He takes his business seriously (see Mr.  Shiplett’s statement, linked below ). It is his and his employees' livelihoods. Not only is Cottonmouth Mr. Shiplett’s space, but he also enthusiastically opens it to people like me, independent touring artists from all over the USA, filling a much-needed void for live music in Bradenton.  Please don’t take “The ARTS” out of Village of THE ARTS. Allow Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen to continue operating as it has, welcoming locals, tourists, live-music fans, and the occasional Grammy-winning performer to Bradenton.  

Sincerely, 

Lauren Mitchell  
https://www.laurenmitchellmusic.com/