The History of Incline’s Music on the Beach
July 22, 2025 | Kayla Anderson
Originally Published in the IVCBA Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY. – Written By: Kayla Anderson
Sometime in the late 2000s, IVGID decided it was going to sell concessions—and alcohol– at its beaches. A few members of the community were opposed to liquor sells, but since people could bring their own alcohol in anyways, the resistance was weak. IVGID staff set up a small table and tried it, but then other residents didn’t think it was fair for IVGID to compete with the private sector since its costs were so low.
The original owner of Incline Spirits, Will Brigham, was paying attention to the topic and attending the IVGID Board of Trustees meetings. When IVGID agreed to let a private business take over alcohol sales at the beaches, Brigham went around and asked all the local bars if they wanted to bid on the project. No one was interested, so soon Incline Spirits opened The Barefoot Bars at Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar.
“In the beginning, IVGID let us have a 10’x10’ tent and we wanted to bring something to the beach that didn’t involve a cooler, like make pina coladas and Mai Tai’s,” Brigham says.
In trying to get people to visit the tiki bars as well as being a musician and lover of live music, Brigham had the idea of starting Music on the Beach. He partnered with his neighbor and fellow musician Mitch Harbaugh to bring in local bands.
“Will and I have been involved in the local music scene all of our lives,” Harbaugh says, “and Will started creating a vibe not only with the beach guests but amongst the bands. There’s a lot of talent around the lake…we got a pulse and kept it consistent, and it elevated the quality of the entertainment.”
Harbaugh credits Brigham for creating something built for the minor leagues that ended up being pro ball.
“Mitch is dead on. I remember doing text message campaigns blasting out locals specials and the band lineup; I was really guerilla marketing it [Music on the Beach]. But consistency is key, and we kept the same hours, playing in any kind of weather,” Brigham adds.
“As soon as the tiki bars opened, my wife who had worked for Goldfish Properties for 18 years said that no one complained anymore about paying to get into the beach,” Harbaugh says.
Soon everyone wanted to play there, and Music on the Beach was drawing 6[00]-900 attendees. Will and his wife Aimee Miller eventually sold Incline Spirits to Miles and Mayra Hendrickson, who kept Music on the Beach going.
“Miles and Mayra have done a great job with Music on the Beach. They continued with the exact vision I had and made it better in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They made it a destination for locals. It’s great to go down there and see that huge crowd,” Brigham says.
When Miles and Mayra bought the place, they inherited me. We’ve been doing this for 14-15 years now and what it’s turned into is freaking incredible.
“You can usually find me dancing in front, I’ve created a lot of wonderful memories here. And we leverage the crowd to keep it G-rated and positive, non-political, promote kindness and goodness and community,” Harbaugh adds.
“There’s this couple, a retired colonial and his wife. The wife has Alzheimer’s but Music on the Beach is what keeps her fired up…she doesn’t remember a lot, but she looks forward to this. They had their 65th wedding anniversary at Music on the Beach, and she had her 84th birthday at the beach. This truly is a community thing, it’s a chance to celebrate us locals,” Brigham adds.
Since IVGID recently approved its Beach House Project, Incline Spirits announced this will be its last summer hosting Music on the Beach.
“I have mixed emotions about it. I’m not affiliated with Music on the Beach anymore, but I have been a part of it. I know IVGID put a lot of money into building the new beach house, but I would just hate for Music on the Beach to lose its magic; there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears going into it. The aloha we show our guests and community…I don’t want to lose that.
“Music on the Beach has a giant piece of my heart with it. We’re very grateful for all the community support and all the love we’ve received. I’m honored to have been a part of it,” says Brigham.
The Incline Village Barefoot Bars host live music on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm throughout the summer. To see the 2025 Music on the Beach band lineup, visit https://inclinespirits.com/barefoot-bar/.