John Whener’s Village Door
We're building a Yacht Rock-Style Evening Band and seeking talented vocalists and musicians with a spirit of excellence. If you're passionate about delivering quality performances in a professional, high-tech, balanced, and clean stage environment, this is your opportunity to shine. The Dance Club DJ will take the stage around 10 p.m. after the last set.
John Wehner’s Village Door
No late nights - this will not be a nightclub or dance band.
Schedule: Performances will run approximately 7–10 p.m., primarily on weekends with some weeknights. Perfect for artists with day jobs, families, church, or other commitments; enjoy the stage and playing with other great musicians without the burnout. The DJ will take over dance music after the band finishes each evening.
Style and Vibe: Think "Yacht Rock". We're creating a fresh ensemble focused on high-quality, multigenerational, multigenre music. Think solid, crowd-pleasing sets that highlight your individual skills in a collaborative band setting run by industry professionals.
Venue: The Village Door, now in its 24th year of continuous operation, is located in the Village of Baytowne Wharf in the Sandestin resort. The venue was designed by John Wehner, who started with the stage and then built everything else around it into a two-level, theater-style space. The room is acoustically tuned, and the sound and lighting systems are all world-class—all operated by very experienced technicians.
Monitoring: All monitoring is in-ear (no stage wedges). Performers must provide their own personal in-ear monitors. The Village Door will supply all monitor mix gear. Stage volume is low and controlled, and the band will always receive a world-class mix that's simply not possible in most other venues.
What Makes Us Different: Family-friendly and musician-owned, with 34 years of professional production and on-stage entertainment history, 25 years church worship—and an extreme commitment to excellence. This is about building something lasting, not just gigs.
Looking for Vocalists and Instrumentalists: Singers and players! If you sing and play, that’s even better. John Wehner is the MD (musical director) and will be playing drums with the band; however, he also wants to know great local drummers who can eventually fill in for him.
Sound and Light Internships and Stagehand Opportunities Available: Work alongside our sound and light team, make some extra money, and learn from extremely experienced pros!
Compensation: Details discussed at auditions or interviews (competitive rates based on ability and experience in a multi-tiered system).
We're recruiting individual vocalists and musicians who:
Bring top-tier talent and a positive, team-oriented attitude.
Have stage or platform experience (preferred) and the ability to adapt to a mix of cover music.
Are able to learn music quickly and memorize what's needed.
Value reliability, preparation, consistency, and a spirit of excellence—no egos, just great music and performances.
Are available for rehearsals and performances starting in February 2026.
If you're a solo artist looking to join a band or a musician ready for a new chapter, we want to hear from you.
John Wehner is eager to discover talented locals we haven't met yet. Please introduce yourself below!
Send in your video submission today! Include:
A 1–3 minute performance clip (even a cellphone video is fine) showcasing your skills (solo or with a group). Feel free to send more if you'd like—or share appropriate links, and we'll check them out.
A quick intro: Tell us about yourself, your experience, and why you'd be a great fit for the Village Door stage. Mention specific songs/artists you perform well, and if possible, include a list of songs you already know and love.
Fill out the form below or email auditions@thevillagedoor.com. We'll review submissions on a rolling basis and invite top candidates for in-person auditions. Don't wait—we're reviewing everything as it comes in! Rehearsals start in February 2026.