I am not in the business and so can't provide much in the way of a professional opinion, but last weekend a co-worker came down with her husband and another couple and emailed me asking what there was to do - their wish list started with "good food and live music".
I couldn't give her much of an answer - and now that I read this thread, I realize that it is because that the music is vanishing.
So, for you folks that want to put together a group to have a voice, perhaps you can start with some professional polling of visitors, asking whether or not live music influences their decision making. I think you will find that it does, for that important high-income, no kids population.
I am afraid, though, that there is a large drive to make this stretch the most "family friendly" beach it can be, and that is what is pushing this "blandization" of 30-a.
IMO you are wrong, there is no push, SoWal is family-friendly and likely always will be. I would say that while there is an issue right now, due to growth of the area, noise ordinance negotiation comes to every community as it grows. Something every community has to deal with at some point. It takes awhile to educate everyone and get on the same page. And there will be some on both sides who are not satisfied in the end but the majority will be served.
Calm heads need to prevail. The music scene is alive and growing in SoWal and it is a good thing. As artists and venues expand there will be some friction. We all want business owners to succeed, but they must do it with a good heart and not get too greedy. The Red Bar and Ollie Petit has set a great example. If he can thrive in the smallest and quietest of places, anyone else can too if they respect the community. I encourage any business owner to contact him. He is so warm and open - he will have excellent advice.
You notice there is always an off-duty deputy at his venue (in the past at the 331 also)? You think that is by accident?
I love music in an outdoor setting, but there are some places that isn't going to work past 9 or 10 PM.