Haney’s Big House is a radical departure from commercial radio.  In doing so it embraces both the future and the past.  It represents the future in that it owes its very existence to the new technology of HD radio and the internet.  It embraces the past by eschewing homogenized national content in favor of the days when radio was loosely programmed for a regional audience.   For instance the times when the musicians (as well as countless fans) we now call legends were glued late at night to the pure inspiration found in between the static coming out of transistor radios that brought home the sounds of New Orleans, Memphis and everywhere else beneath the Mason Dixon line.  Haney’s Big House aims to do just that for the generations that have followed you can find us in between regular FM radio signals.  Haney’s frequently pays homage to many great Florida bands that you may not have heard before….but should have.

Now, you’re probably wondering about the name.  Most obviously the proprietor of Haney’s Big House is Mr. Mark Haney, longtime host on 96.1 K-ROCK.  Mr. Haney is by nature a honky-tonk night time man and the founder of Mark Haney and the Buzzards, a legendary Southwest Florida blues and southern rock band.  Haney and the Buzzards have opened for many Rock and Blues stars.  But Haney is most proud of sharing the stage with the southern rock and blues trinity of The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd  and that little ol’ band from Texas ZZ Top.  Haney likes to point out that he and Gregg Allman are both from Daytona.  As a matter of fact Gregg was in the school band with Haney’s mother at Seabreeze high school.  Haney likes to point this out, but the correlation to his own talent (or lack thereof) is murky.  To most sane people at least.

Now before you start thinking that Haney’s Big House exists solely due to the awesome power of Mark Haney’s substantial ego you should know that this is only partially true.

Haney’s Big House actually existed once before as a juke joint in Faraday, Louisiana circa the 1940’s and 50’s.  It became famous thanks to a young boy who used to peep through a hole in the back wall or flat out sneak in to the club to see the likes of a young BB King (before he was anything close to resembling famous) and other great blues and boogie woogie musicians, even the occasional Big Band.  The young boy grew up to be someone you may have heard of.  Ever heard of Jerry Lee Lewis?  The Killer? Goodness Gracious.  If you cannot complete the previous sentence you would probably be uncomfortable at Haney’s Big House. Never the less, you WOULD be welcome.  We’ll bring you along slowly.   Unfortunately the original Haney’s Big House in Faraday was destroyed by fire in 1966 (coincidentally, Mark Haney was born in 1966). 

 Haney’s Big House is not big on rules except for one that Mr. Haney insists on. At Haney’s big house ALL are welcome. Stop by anytime for real southern hospitality.  Expect to hear plenty of what’s come to be known as Southern Rock from all the greats like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and Molly Hatchet.  You will also find a healthy dose of blues (Muddy Waters invented electricity!), Americana, and roots music and REAL country (definition of REAL country….whatever Mr. Haney says it is but most likely it will involve Waylon, Willie and Johnny Cash or all of the above plus David Alan Coe) .  That’s a starting point but really you never know what you might hear at Haney’s big house.  The only thing for sure is that you will hear guitar, lots and lots of guitar.  If guitar isn’t your thing you probably won’t feel at home at all.  But if you like guitars and you like them loud then you just might have found a new home.

Haney’s big house is located on the banks of the Estero River amongst jumping mullet, stately oaks shrouded in Spanish moss, Palm trees, gators, and cottonmouths. That’s just how we like it here in FLA!

You can also find us at 96.1 FM HD2.  Proud neighbor to the legendary 96.1 K-ROCK.  In the interest of full disclosure K-ROCK’S house is actually much larger than Haney’s with better flooring.  Haney’s has a dirt floor. The floor at  K-ROCK has what appears to be marble. Or something more expensive.

Finally Mr. Haney would like to thank Beasley Broadcasting for making a dream come true.  He would also like to thank his parents. (His Daddy was a Gibson, his Momma was a Fender).