Suns of Beaches To Bring the Ultimate Tropical Party to Ellwood Festival

No passport. No plane ticket. No worries … will be needed when the Suns of Beaches take to the Festival Stage on Friday, July 3, at 8 p.m. at the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Foods, and Entertainment Festival.

The high-energy Jimmy Buffett tribute band transforms every performance into a tropical getaway. Complete with steel drums, island favorites, beach-themed originals and plenty of audience participation, the group has built a reputation for delivering what they call more than a concert—it’s a beach party.

According to drummer Ben Sakmar, while Jimmy Buffett’s music forms the heart of every show, the band offers much more than a traditional tribute act.

“We play about two-thirds Buffett songs mixed with other beach hits,” Sakmar said. “We do music by The Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead and other tropical-inspired artists.”

The band also performs several original songs written in the same island-rock style that made Buffett famous.

“When we play our originals,” Sakmar said with a laugh, “folks have come up to us and said we never knew Buffett did that song. We love that song.”

How The Party Started

The Suns of Beaches officially formed after the retirement of America’s best-known Jimmy Buffett impersonator, Tom Watts, who performed as “The Buffettman.” For nearly two decades, several current members of Suns of Beaches backed Watts as members of his nationally and internationally touring band, The Fruitcakes.

“Tom retired in 2022 and we knew we wanted to keep the beach party going,” Sakmar said. “We regrouped and added a few extra people. With Tom, it was such a great experience. We had so many opportunities with him.”

Watts, who lived in Allegheny Township, Pennsylvania, was widely recognized as America’s No. 1 Jimmy Buffett impersonator and spent 25 years touring across the United States and internationally before his passing in December 2025.

The new band quickly established its own identity while honoring the spirit of Buffett’s music. According to the band’s official website, Suns of Beaches is known as one of the country’s most authentic Jimmy Buffett tribute bands, recreating the feel of a Buffett concert with steel drums front and center while mixing in original tropical rock songs. Every performance is designed to transport audiences into what Buffett fans know as the “island state of mind.”

The group’s clever name came from an unexpected source.

“Our bass player’s wife came up with the name,” Sakmar said. “She’s a creative person who works in marketing. We all build off each other’s strengths. I’m probably the most music illiterate while some have master’s degrees in music.”

Meet The Band

The current lineup features accomplished musicians with more than 100 years of combined performing experience:

Jeremy McCall – Guitar and Vocals
Keith Lisk – Bass and Vocals
Adam Warbol – Steel Pan and Vocals
Ben Sakmar – Drums
Dave Withrow – Percussion

Two members have deep roots in education. Dave Withrow, an Ellwood City-area resident, is a retired band director from Riverside Beaver County School District, while Adam Warbol teaches elementary music.

For Sakmar, music has always been a family tradition.

“My grandfather Jerry Intihar was a huge inspiration for me,” he said. Intihar, a retired polka musician, has enjoyed a remarkable 73-year music career.

Of course, Jimmy Buffett himself remains the band’s greatest musical influence.

“I was raised on Jimmy’s music,” Sakmar said.

One unforgettable milestone came when the group shared the stage with Peter Mayer, Jimmy Buffett’s longtime lead guitarist.

“Obviously Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers would have been at the top of our list,” Sakmar said when asked about a dream opening act. “We did get to meet Peter Mayer and open for him at the Margarita Festival in Geauga, Ohio. We were setting up and sound checking, and I asked Peter to play a couple songs and he did.”

A Continual Party

According to the band’s official biography, Suns of Beaches has also opened for national recording artists Pablo Cruise and has performed throughout the country, including appearances in the Caribbean.

Community festivals remain among the band’s favorite performances.

“It’s kind of nice to be able to get out there into the community where things are so laid back,” Sakmar said. “We get to meet new friends and talk to old friends. For Ellwood City, between Dave and Adam being local, it’s going to be a party. We can’t wait.”

Anyone attending a Suns of Beaches performance should leave their worries—and maybe their shoes—at home.

“Come in your most appropriate tropical wear,” Sakmar said. “We throw a whole beach party. They will see spontaneous conga lines. We’re going to turn Ellwood City into a little Margaritaville.”

That audience participation is no accident. The band’s official website promises every show is packed with Jimmy Buffett favorites, tropical classics and original music designed to transform every event into one huge conga line.

The group never sticks to the same playlist.

“There isn’t a certain set list,” Sakmar said. “We throw some curve balls. Be prepared for a song or two that you might not expect.”

Whether it’s Buffett classics like “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” “Fins” and “Volcano,” tropical favorites from artists like The Beach Boys, or original island-inspired songs, every performance offers something different.

Above all else, Sakmar believes the band’s chemistry is what audiences notice most.

“We all have so much fun together. We are always laughing and it translates with audiences,” he said. “They see us having fun and it helps them have fun. It portrays an Island state of mind.”

Fans can also take a piece of the beach home with them, as Suns of Beaches offers merchandise including shirts, hats and beanies for purchase online and at performances.

As they prepare for another season of performances—including a return to Ellwood City’s festival—the band’s goal is simple.

“We are really looking forward to playing with everyone in Ellwood City and having a great time and give the town a chance to wind and be on vacation even if it’s only for a couple of hours.”

For Suns of Beaches, every show is an invitation to forget the everyday, grab a tropical drink, join the conga line and enjoy a musical vacation—no suitcase required.