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The tropically inspired lifestyle brand Balmy Palms is seeking an original song from the trop rock genre to represent the brand on its website, in radio spots, and in other media.

Aspiring singer/songwriters are invited to submit an original song for consideration. Submitted songs should convey the feel-good essence of the brand and put listeners in the brand's trademarked "Balmy Palms state of mind".  The ideal song will evoke images of a carefree island lifestyle and the brand's tagline "No worries, no qualms...just Balmy Palms."

"This is a great opportunity for an aspiring musician to receive valuable publicity for his/her talents," says Kara Benson, Balmy Palms Marketing Director.

The composer/performer of the selected song will receive airplay for the song on BeachFront Radio, the number one trop rock internet radio station and repeat winner of the "Trop Rock Station of the Year" title at the annual Trop Rock Music Awards.  The artist will also be compensated $400 and receive Balmy Palms apparel, in addition to receiving publicity via the Balmy Palms website and press releases.

In addition to the selected song, other submitted songs and their artists may receive publicity, as Balmy Palms plans to ask the public for help with the selection process.

All music and lyrics for submitted songs must be original, written and performed by the submitter.  The submitting composer/performer must agree to sell all rights to the song, if selected, in return for compensation of $400.  (The artist will still be able to perform his/her song.)

Songs must be submitted in an MP3 audio file format and must be ready for airplay.  Songs must be submitted prior to June 30, 2013.  Submissions can be made at here.

All submitted songs will be considered, but only one will be selected for use.  The final selection will be made by the staff at Stratosphere Media Group with input from the DJs at BeachFront Radio.  If no ideal song is found, no song will be selected.

Balmy Palms is pleased to once again support the annual meeting of Parrot Heads in Paradise with a convention guide sponsorship.  The 21st Annual "Meeting of the Minds" will take place in Key West, FL from Nov. 1- 4, 2012.  Jimmy Buffett fans, known as Parrot Heads, from across the country will convene for four days of fun during this year's festivities themed "Another Trip Around the Sun".

Look for the Balmy Palms full-page ad in the convention guide.

The Balmy Palms lifestyle brand is giving away two tickets to see trop rocker and hit country song writer Thom Shepherd perform on a catamaran cruise during the upcoming "Meeting of the Minds" Parrot Head convention in Key West, FL.

Anyone who is planning to be in Key West on Nov. 1 and would like to see this concert is encouraged to enter on Twitter by following @balmypalms and tweeting this message:  "Will u b at MOTM Nov. 1? Want free tix to Thom Shepherd? RT this & follow @balmypalms by 10/26/12 for chance to win."

Thom Shepherd has written more than 90 songs that have been recorded by well-known country artists, including the #1 country hits "Redneck Yacht Club", recorded by Craig Morgan, and "Riding with Private Malone", recorded by David Ball.  His performance in Key West on Nov. 1 at 9:30 AM is part of the Catamaran Concert series, a fundraiser for the Phins to the West DJ Jeff/Taking Care of Our Own Fund for cancer patients.  The tickets are a $100 value.

Tweeters may retweet as many times as they wish.  Each tweet counts as a new entry.  A random winner will be selected from all tweets containing the above message and tweeted before midnight on Oct. 26, 2012.  The winner will be announced on Twitter and the Balmy Palms website on Oct. 27.  No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.

Balmy Palms is an island-inspired lifestyle brand that captures the feel-good escapism of the tropics.

Balmy Palms has signed on as a sponsor of BeachFront Radio, the internet's number one tropical rock station.

"The essence of the Balmy Palms brand is very much aligned with the charter of BeachFront Radio," says Kara Benson, Balmy Palms Marketing Director.  "Both are inspired by a relaxing, carefree island lifestyle.  The music played on BeachFront radio and the merchandise offered by Balmy Palms appeal to people who identify with the feel-good escapism of the tropics.  We are glad to support the station and to help bring this very cool music to those who love it."

Beginning in July, BeachFront Radio will run a series of 60-second Balmy Palms radio spots.  Playing in the background is the song "Island State of Mind" by Kelly McGuire, on of the top artists in the trop rock genre.  "We love this song and think it ties in very well with the 'Balmy Palms state of mind' evoked by our brand," Benson comments.  "We are thrilled that Kelly granted us permission to use his song in our ads."

In addition to the radio spots, the Balmy Palms website will be featured on BeachFront Radio's Tropical Store.

BeachFront Radio was named "Trop Rock Station of the Year" in 2010 and 2011 at the Trop Rock Music Awards, and features music from the best independent trop rock artists.  Trop rock is a popular music genre that combines elements of reggae, rock, Carribbean, country, and zydeco.

Balmy Palms is pleased to sponsor this year's Parrot Heads in Paradise "20th Annual Meeting of the Minds" convention guide.  The fun takes place Nov. 3 - 6, 2011, in beautiful Key West, FL.  If you're one of the lucky Parrot Heads attending the convention, please be sure to check out the Balmy Palms full-age ad and let us know what you think!  The first three respondents to email us with the ad's headline win a Balmy Palms t-shirt!  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Balmy Palms brand recently unveiled a newly redesigned logo, which will be featurerd on the latest Balmy Palms apparel and accessories beginning September 2011. 

"We love the breezy, relaxed feeling conveyed by our new logo," says Kara Benson, Balmy Palms marketing director.  "It epitomizes the Balmy Palms state of mind by evoking a sensation of a laid-back tropical island lifestyle."

The new logo retains the signature swaying palm trees of the former logo, but incorporates buoyant, flowing lines that impart a sense of airy tranquility.

If you've ever been to a luau in Hawaii, chances are you've tasted the popular tropical treat known as haupia, or Hawaiian coconut pudding.  No need to wait until you return to Hawaii for more haupia...you can make it at home and dream of the island breezes as you savor this beloved dessert.  Here's the recipe:

- 4 cups coconut milk

- 2 1/2 cups water

- 1 1/4 cups sugar

- 1 cup cornstarch

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Combine coconut milk and water, and stir.  Add sugar and cornstarch.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until haupia thickens and coconut fat melts into a smooth, shiny consistency.  Add vanilla, if desired, during last few minutes of cooking.  Pour into 8" square pan and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until firm.  Cut into squares and enjoy!

Want a once-in-a-lifetime experience?  How about swimming with majestic humpback whales in warm azure waters off the coast of a beautiful tropical paradise?  If that sounds like your kind of vacation, start packing your bags for Tonga.

The Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific is one of just three places in the world where visitors can swim with humpback whales.  The whales migrate to the tropical reef-protected waters of Tonga annually in June, and stay until November to breed and give birth to their young.  Renowned for swimming close to shore, the 40-ton whales can be seen feeding and courting.  The males are known to sing love songs that can carry for 100 km across the ocean.

Tonga also offers sailing, diving, fishing, and blissful relaxation.  It comprises 170 islands of tropical rainforests, coral reefs, beaches, and volcanic landscapes...a true South Pacific experience.  Sounds like a perfect place to get in that Balmy Palms state of mind!