Artist of the day: Amber Lynn Nicol

The inaugural Gasparilla Music Festival on Saturday not only attracted some quality national acts (Ra Ra Riot, Deer Tick, Rebirth Brass Band), but they picked out some of the top local talents on the scene, too (Geri X, The Groves, Have Gun, Will Travel).

Another local act to watch: Amber Lynn Nicol.

The 25-year-old St. Petersburg singer-songwriter recorded her debut EP, Beach Day, in Nashville. As the name implies, it's a sunny, euphoric blend of pop country and bluesy singer-songwriterdom, much in the vein of Miranda Lambert or Sunny Sweeney, though her stated influences hew more toward the pop side of the spectrum -- think Sheryl Crow, Natalie Imbruglia and Jack Johnson. She has performed at a variety of venues around Tampa Bay, both on her own and with her band, the Swingin Papas.

On Saturday, Nicol will perform at the Gasparilla Music Festival. Look for her at the Amphitheatre at Kiley Gardens, along with Geri X, Rich Whiteley and Pickford Sundries. Click here for all the details on the Gasparilla Music Festival.

Nicol will also be at Eddie's in Largo Saturday night, then the Ale and the Witch in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, and at the Bungalow in Tampa on March 16. She's a busy one. Click here for her full performance schedule.