2013 Key West Songwriter's Festival

2013 Key West Songwriter’s Festival

Key West Songwriter’s Festival interview by Gary Ek with Misty Loggins and Key West Chris

The Key West Songwriter’s Festival went just incredible, as always! What a marvelous event and what great talent to be enjoyed. To sum it up there were thirty venues hosting one hundred and fifty songwriters. I recall several years ago I was attending an event at Blue Heaven and there was a young woman who was playing a piano. I was in the standing area and a woman next to me says to the woman next to her “Oh look! She’s playing a Taylor Swift song!” to which I gave her a nudge and said with a wink “Actually, Taylor Swift is playing her song. That woman on stage is the one who wrote the song.” That’s pretty much what the songwriter’s festival is all about. Last year I recall hearing the writer of the song John Waite made popular, “I Ain’t Missing You At All”, then later one of the writers of the song Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride made famous, “Trip Around The Sun”.

As a local, I always chip in and give a hand where I can. In the last few years I’ve marched around town distributing the posters for Dani Strampello Holliday, who works with local organizer Charlie Bauer. This year I was delivering a poster to a scooter store a couple of days before the event and there is Mark Mason of BMI, the main Nashville based host/sponsor of the event, renting a scooter. Like we always say here “It’s a small town!”

About a week or so before the event, Jeff Allen interviewed me on Beachfront Radio out in Oxnard California. I was thrilled to learn that that show I was part of, had the highest ratings ever! What a great way to get things rolling in high gear! Thanks Jeff and Carol!

The event always kicks off out on Sunset Pier, at the very base of Duval, and like always it was very crowded. Naturally I met some old friends there in from Nashville. My dear friend and for a second year in a row, my songwriting fest stage partner, Misty Loggins, was there talking to some of her friends. Naturally as an element of surprise I just went up and stood shoulder to shoulder to her as she was engrossed in conversation. After about fifteen seconds, curiosity got the better of her and she casually turned to see who this rude individual was standing so close to her.  Her eyes bugged out and we threw our arms around each other laughing. It’s always great to see good friends whom time has put a physical distance between, but the bond of friendship remains strong and unscathed.

(Misty and I just after we bumped into each other on Sunset Pier)

I also bumped into Chuck Cannon there. I actually only met Chuck there last year for the first time. Chuck’s been writing massive hit songs for something like twenty something years. He’s also played in every Key West Songwriter’s Festival since day one.

Another fun thing is running into people whom you’ve met in years past. This was the case bumping into photographer Pamela Burkard and her daughter Jenna, who was traveling with her mom for the event, all the way in from San Diego! On a few occasions I bumped into Jenna during the festival and it was just so wonderful to see someone so enamored with the event and all of the performers! That makes it all worthwhile.

Local photographer Nick Doll was seen all over the festival, having been contracted by BMI, the host from Nashville, to be the official photographer for the event! I met Nick when he was a bartender at The Porch. Nick always impressed me back then as he seriously studied beer and could talk quite knowledgeably with anyone on the subject. He’s been self-employed now as a photographer himself for well over a year and the fact that BMI contracted him, speaks volumes! Congrats Nick!!!! 

https://www.facebook.com/nickdollphotography

The event moves from the Sunset Pier to the Pier House across the street. The Pier House just sold about a week after the event, so it will be interesting to see what becomes of it next year.

I also ran into my friend Kent McCoy, music appreciator extraordinaire! Kent is a retired police officer from Pennsylvania and always has a permanent great attitude, and a sincere enthusiastic smile whenever he arrives in town!

Christine Wartenby was also in from New Jersey. Christine is in several times  a year. She’s real Key West visitor, not a tourist.  Somehow I don't seem to have a picture with Christine :-( 

In addition to all of the scheduled performances, there were events held at non-official venues as well. I stopped by The Cork and Stogie, a non-event venue just a block and a half from where I live. Wow! Three guys playing there who were simply outstanding! The Cork seriously doesn’t have the room to hold an official event, however the intimate setting on their front porch was excellent for that “Up close and personal” touch. Craft Beers, superb wine, accompanied the fantastic music and made such a great atmosphere for the afternoon.

Local songwriter Rusty Lemmon and I were two local songwriters in the event this year, so I felt it my duty to show support and make sure I made it to his gig at Conch Republic Seafood. I was a bit late getting there though as Captain Tony’s needed to see me about playing there on Saturday. I caught Rusty’s set and he did the town of Key West proud! Way to go Rusty!

Jeff Harris was the other local in the event, however I completely missed his performance. :-(

My event was at Southernmost on the Beach, at the other end of Duval, a few doors east down South St. As I mentioned earlier, Misty Loggins and I shared the stage and thanks to Ms. Dani Strampello Holliday, local organizer and fantabulouse individual, we found we were on the only timeslot that ran from noon to 1 on Saturday in the entire event!!! Holy Molley!

Again, meeting new people, I met Alan Mayer out of Nashville, whom I had been friends with for several years on Facebook. Alan is a photographer and it’s always fun hanging out with folks you know through social media. Alan prides himself as to never wearing a tie, which puts him in very good standing in my book! (He does wear a bow tie on his FB page, but that was only because he wore it in a play he was in!)

Our gig went fantastic! We had beautiful weather, a great setting, and happy people. My friends from Southernmost Coconut Castaways, Marc and Tammy Hollander, were kind enough to handle the merchandise table for all of the performers at the event that day as well. It was reassuring having friends so close by. Plus, the crew over at Southernmost on the Beach were superb, a credit to manager Boomer, the hotel manager there.

Naturally Misty and I did the song that I wrote for her specifically, which has enjoyed bucket loads of radio airtime from Hawaii, across the Pacific to California, across the Continental United States, hopping the Atlantic Ocean to Great Britain and the European Continent, “Island Blue”.

As I mentioned, we played for an hour. It’s a great setting and people have been telling me since last year when Misty and I played together “You tow have a great show! You really complement each other very well!” I’m still hearing that same comment here a couple of weeks after this year’s event. We do have an on stage chemistry and I took advantage of it at the end this brand new song of mine, “Sea Plane” ! HA HA HA!

Misty had a good laugh on that one… you’re safe until I get my pilot’s license Misty!

Here’s Misty doing the Title song to her CD “Talk Country To ‘Em”

I constantly get messages from friends around the world daily. These folks are coming to Key West to visit asking where I’m playing. I think it would be great if we could parlay that into playing here at Southernmost on the Beach, where the videos and pictures they see in this blog. They just hired a guy from Islamorada to play there, who had his first gig there this week, so who knows?

The Key West Songwriter’s Festival is a BMI event. In years past ASCAP had a minor presence there with an event every midnight at The Bottle Cap called “The Midnight Hang”. What it used to amount o was an open mic for participants of the Festival. Unfortunately, the ASCAP people pretty much avoided putting any of the Key West writers up (Hello! I’m one of them! ), which in my view is a bit rude to the host city, however in the grand scheme of things, everyone loved that event in years past. This year the event was dropped and a lot of the performers were very disappointed about it. I think I’ll talk to local organizers Charlie and Danielle to see if they might be interested in doing something like the old event of years gone by, next year. I’d be happy to organize it, if he’s interested!

On Sunday there’s the unofficial event at The Mango Tree Inn on the corner of Flemming and Simonton, for their pool party. I was told last year “You HAVE to go!!”, so this year I went. Like the event at The Cork and Stogie, this is not an official event. There were all sorts of great songwriters there and it certainly was a fun event! When I arrived, local drag artist Gina Maserati was playing songs poolside with Ray West. Inside they had an open mic of sorts, however it was a lot like the ASCAP event of years past in that they shied away from any local artists. While Gina and Ray had played poolside, in the main living room was where this took place. Very intimate with an up close and personal feel to it. For some reason the sound system they were using sounded like it was a left over from Cab Calloway's era. It sounded like a shoe box. The intimacy of the room overrode it however. I had spoken to the music organizer about playing, but after four hours I left without being called. I will most likely will stop by next year; however it will just be a long pit stop most likely.

On the Trop Rock front in the Festival there were a few of us in the event. Margaritaville is a natural for Trop Rock artists and for this year they had John Frinzi and Aaron Scherz. I met John Frinzi briefly on the Monday before the festival. I was doing my poster delivery thing and suddenly there was my pal Will Parker having a beer. Well, what better an excuse at the end of the day than to share a beer with Will? Turned out he was doing the sound there and in came John. Great meeting him! Dani Hoy was also in town playing one of the unofficial events at Pearls. I also bumped into Jimmy Parrish at Misty's other gig with Brent Burns on the South Beach. I'm not sure if Jimmy was playing anywhere, or just checking out the festival? Nice to meet him though! Loved Brent Burns set with Misty! Brent Burns. Now there's a guy who has things going on! Last year he missed the festival because a horse of his won one of the supporting races at the Kentucky Derby! This year, only a day or two after he did his set with Misty, he posted a picture of himself with friends sitting at a cafe, in old Paris.... Paris, France that is. Brent Burns is my new idol!



Misty Loggins, myself, Dani Hoy and Brent Burns after Misty and Brent's set. Photo: Kent McCoy

The official event ends on Sunday night, however my friends Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe were playing a few doors down the street from where I live on Monday at Lighthouse Court. I helped out with donating a sound system that they could use and they were kind enough to allow me to play a set during their break. That’s an honor indeed! Coley had worked in Nashville for major publishing house Big Red Tractor. Additionally, Thom has had five #1 hits by various artists. His latest one was “Redneck Yacht Club”. What a privilege to play with these guys!!! And what a way to close out the 2013 Key West Songwriter’s Festival! Thank you Coley and Thom!!!!!



Coley and Thom

On a final note: The last two years I've had the real honor of sharing the stage with Misty Loggins. Over the years I've known her, Misty has become not just a fellow songwriter/musician, but also a dear friend and through that I've come to see that she's a very, very unique and beautiful human being. Misty has a wonderful ability which seeks out the very best in people she comes in contact with, then she focuses on that good point. As humans we tend to like people who bring the best points out in ourselves, because everyone is in their best element when they know they are appreciated. Misty does this with everyone she comes in contact with. She's a very special woman. I' already looking forward to seeing her next year at the Festival! 

In closing, it was such a great honor to be one of only three Key West songwriters in the 2013 Key West Songwriter’s Festival. I am so gratefully  humbled.

Special thanks to:

George McClure: McClure and Trowbridge Publishing Nashville inc.

Charlie Bauer: Key West organizer of the festival and owner of Smokin’ Tuna Saloon

Dani Strempello Holliday: Key West organizer with Smokin Tuna Saloon

Mark Mason: Organizer with BMI, Nashville

For music downloads please check my website : http://keywestchris.com/
(This site also carries unreleased studio material as well as demos.)

I'm also found on iTunes, CD Baby, Rhapsidy, and CD Universe, Search “Key West Chris”

Thanks everyone!!!

 "Key West Chris" Rehm

The Absolute Ten Best Bars in The Keys!!

THE ABSOLUTE TEN BEST BARS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

^ Listen to “Raise My Glass To The Upper 48” at every one of the bars listed below, you CAN do that!^

THE ABSOLUTE TEN BEST BARS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

What makes a great bar? We all may have different opinions on them, but these are my favorites.  In my view, the first part of the criteria is the place has to have character. If you’re going to be in a bar in the Keys, it HAS to have that Keys feel, otherwise you might as well stay in Miami, New York, Cincinnati, wherever. There certainly are places which are pleasant places and nice bars in the Keys, however these places are the stand outs, head and shoulders above the rest. It also must be said that I’ve not been to every bar in the Keys. Additionally, regretfully two of my former absolute favorites, owned by the same individual, are no longer rated. The list is in no particular order. These are all exceptional bars

THE GREEN PARROT  -  601 Whitehead Street, Key West

The Green Parrot has been around since the island was founded.. okay not that long, however it’s been there in various guises and names since 1890. It’s been The Green Parrot for about forty years. Before that it was The Brown Derby, however I don’t know for how long. There’s no food, it’s a bar. Live music is every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, sometimes in the middle of the week as well.  It’s open air, rustic, with large windows always open, not forgetting doors as well. The floor is uneven. The walls and ceiling are draped with pictures and knick knacks.  Only negative thing that can be said about the ‘Parrot is that they don’t allow dogs. Pool table  and two streaming web cams. “If The Walls Could Talk” Rating 10+

http://greenparrot.com/

THE CARIBBEAN CLUB  -   MM 104 Bayside, Key Largo

The Caribbean Club is an incredible bar, very much like The Green Parrot, only with a spectacular view of Blackwater Sound as its backyard.   Built in the 1938 as a fishing camp, nine years later the Bogart/Bacall movie “Key Largo” was filmed there. Another bar where it’s a bar only, there’s no food.  Dogs welcome. Fireplaces on either end get use in the winter months. Live music at night, closes at 4am. “If The Walls Could Talk Rating” 10+

http://www.caribbeanclubkl.com/

CAPTAIN TONY’S SALOON – 423 Greene St, Key West

Without doubt, the most fascinating bar in the Keys. Captain Tony’s, as far back as I have traced, started life as an ice house back in the early 1800’s. There is also a grave of a woman in the pool room who, legend has it, was hung on the hanging tree, which is on the other side of the bar. I don’t know how many people were hung on the tree, but she wasn’t alone.  During prohibition it was a speak easy called “The Blind Pig” owned by a man named Joe “Josie” Russell, who, when a bank would not cash a $1000.00 check for Ernest Hemingway, who just moved to town, Russell did. Quite a sum in those days! Russell and Hemingway became fast friends and often would sail to Havana (rum smuggling perhaps? It was a speakeasy after all!)  and hung out at a place called Sloppy Joe’s there. When prohibition was repealed, the Blind Pig went legit and took the Havana bar’s name, as it fit Russell’s. Hence, Sloppy Joe’s was born! Ernest and Josie would hang out there daily in the afternoon between when Hemingway moved to Key West in 1929 and when Russell did not renew the lease in 1937. During this stint, Hemingway also met his future third wife, Martha Gelhorn there, who apparently made a point of it. Hemingway left Key West in 1939 with Gelhorn and headed to Cuba. Some years later, a man who came to Key West fleeing the mob in New Jersey, only to become a fishing captain, Tony Toracino . The bar was then named “Captain Tony’s Saloon” and Captain Tony later also became mayor of Key West. He was a known romantic with the ladies and a notorious philosopher of all things good. Additionally he was also a major supporter of Jimmy Buffett and actively encouraged him to play his own songs in the bar.  Hopefully one day they will encourage songwriters again with the enthusiasm Captain Tony did, though you will hear some, snuck in between the cover songs.

The place itself is wallpapered with business cards stapled to the walls, from ten minutes ago to fifty something years back, maybe more. Additionally, braziers hang from the ceiling and various license plates pepper what free space is on the walls. The ladies room is said to be haunted, but it may very well be the whole place. Live music all day and night long, as well. Dogs are welcome until 5pm. . “If The Walls Could Talk Rating” 10,000+!!!

http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/

Sharkey’s Pub and Galley  -  522 Caribbean Dr. Key Largo

 

Sharkey’s is tough to find, but well worth it. Located off the beaten path of Overseas Highway, down a street or two and on a canal in Key Largo, Sharkey’s is a wonderful local’s place that serves food and also offers live music. It’s one of those out of the way places that is a treasure and deserves to be checked out and enjoyed. Additionally, a respectable selection of craft brews on hand and a full bar. Live music at night as well. “If The Walls Could Talk” Rating .. mostly an outdoors affair so there are no walls, per say, though under cover: 4.

 http://www.sharkeysgalley.com/

SMOKIN TUNA SALOON  -      Charles Street, Key West

Charlie Bauer, Scott Kirby, and partners opened Smokin’ Tuna nearly two years ago in the former El Alamo location, which is actually quite a large complex. Charlie has applied his nearly twenty years’ experience in starting and running The Hog’s Breath Saloon and making it the success that it’s become. The Smokin’ Tuna has quickly gone the route of becoming the nucleus for being Key West’s go to spot for music. When the question arises “Hey, do you know who’s playing in town tonigfht?” and the answer is “No”, the subsequent reply is “Well let’s go to Smokin’ Tuna, they always have something good happening!” Open air, but cover is available in the event of rain.

http://smokintunasaloon.com/

The Cork and Stogie  - 1218 Duval St. Key West

The Cork and Stogie isn’t really a bar per say actually. The simple fact of the matter here is that it is a charming place that serves craft beer and wine. It is literally a “Mom and Pop” place with a quaint, warm atmosphere hosted by owners Dave and Leslie, along with their son, Dave Jr. They have a regular local crowd and also get their fair share of folks visiting town. Dogs are allowed outside on the porch and patio. There’s often food in the late afternoon/early evening as well. Great, laid back, easy going atmosphere!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cork-and-Stogie/224580674233927?ref=br_tf

The Dockside Bar  -  35 Sombrero Blvd. (MM49) Marathon

It’s pretty damn hard to beat a bar on a marina and the Dockside Bar at Sombrero Marina is the personification of that statement. The Dockside Bar is located on the road directly behind the Publix in Marathon (Sombrero Blvd.) about a quarter mile down. Covered seating outside, with a stage, as well as an inside bar, it overlooks the Sombrero Marina at Boot Key. They have live music and a very cool, casual, local atmosphere. They were doing some renovations there when I was by last January. Whenever I see historic places getting renovations, I get worried. I haven’t been back since, so I have my fingers crossed that it hasn’t lost its funkeyness. Bars like The Green Parrot, The Caribbean Club, and The Dockside Bar all have a fantastic uniqueness that’s a rustic Keys “joint” that really can’t be beat. Fingers crossed.

https://www.facebook.com/DocksideTrop

Schooner Wharf – Corner of William and Lazy Lane, Key West

Charles Kuralt said “The world revolves around the Schooner Wharf Bar” and who would argue that? Schooner Wharf is a Key West staple! Here’s a bar that sits on a Marina, plus throw in that Key West legend and icon Michael McCloud, who plays there five days a week, so what more could anyone ask? Schooner’s has a full bar, a web cam, outstanding staff, live music, incredible view and atmosphere, and always a great crowd. They also sponsor several events, such as the January – April Wrecker’s Races, plus the dropping of the wench (the owner Evalina) off a yard arm docked next to the bar for New Years… among other fun stuff! Dogs are not only allowed, but encouraged! “If the Walls Could Talk Rating”: Half of Schooner’s is outside, the inside walls and ceiling however warrant an 8.

http://www.schoonerwharf.com/

The Porch  - Duval and Caroline St., in the Porter Mansion

 

When Chris Schultz started The Porch a couple of years ago, I doubt he realized that he’d just started a craft beer revolution in Key West since then!The Krawl, 2 Cents, The Cork and Stogie, Shots and Giggles, World of Beers, have all either opened, or started carrying  craft brews since The Porch started the trend. Plus, there are more on the way. There is the former Waterfront Market, which Schultz is turning into the Waterfront Brewery. In addition t that, there is another brew pub under construction on Eaton St. next to the restaurant store.  The Porch carries only craft beer and wine and is located inside the Porter Mansion, which dates from the 1840’s. Craft beer is the main focus with well over 150 available from both the U.S. and around the world. They also have a very respectable wine selection available. A great staff, plus it’s said to be haunted by a friendly ghost who moves things around in the off hours. The atmosphere is incredible in the antique home, with ceilings I would guess between ten and twelve feet high. Seating at the bar is about eight or nine, with additional seating in the attached room extension. With a name like “The Porch”, there is obviously seating outside on the grand veranda out front, where you can watch the world walking by on their Duval St. quests. “If the Walls Could Talk Rating”: At one point, they just might! 10

SMUGGLER’S COVE  -   MM 85.5 Islamorada

Smuggler’s Cove has everything you’d need to survive in a perfect classic Keys setting. It’s an old, classic keys bar on a small marina. It’s quiet, easy, laid back in the afternoon. The personification of what you’d expect in the mind’s eye of what hanging out in a bar on a marina in the Keys, is all about. They also have live music Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, there’s a motel in the event you just want to stay. Laid back, in the Keys? This is it! “If the Walls Could Talk Rating” 7

http://smugglerscoveislamorada.com/

ALABAMA JACK’S  - Card Sound Rd. Card Sound/Key Largo

Alabama Jack’s has had the same band playing there every weekend for twenty eight years. The Card Sound Machine started there twenty eight years ago and every weekend afternoon has the place hoppin’ and cloggin’ to the sounds of good ol’ Country music. It’s consistent! Alabama Jack’s is way, way, off the beaten path, unless you’re going to the Keys by way of Card Sound Rd. in which case it’s twelve miles from Rt. 1. Located in the middle of nowhere, at the base of the Card Sound Bridge, it was started I believe in the late forties or early fifties. It’s been in movies, it’s been written about in books, plus there may be a song or two about it as well. There’s a corrugated tin roof, however there are no walls and it sits on a canal, where the occasional American crocodile meanders by. It has that wonderful Keys rustic feel to it that can’t be replaced or replicated by newer or remodeled places.  Many say they have the finest conch fritters in the Keys. This is also pretty much a day place as they close somewhere around sunset. Without question, the best time to go is the weekend. “If The Walls Could Talk Rating” .. there are no walls!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/117190845601/

So there you have it! From Key Largo to Key West, the ten best!

For Key West Chris’ music downloads, go to http://keywestchris.com/

Also available on iTunes, Beachfront Radio, CDBaby, CD Universe, and Rhapsody

Search “Key West Chris”

Key West Songwriter’s Fest 2013

Key West Songwriter’s Fest 2013

[Misty Loggins and I last year at the Key West Songwriter's Festival doing my song "Island Blue"]

The Key West Songwriter’s Festival is coming May 1 – 5. This is the most important songwriter’s festival in the United States, as it’s not put on by a group of individuals, but rather the music industry itself, in conjunction with Key West’s Charlie Bauer, who started the event eighteen years ago. For me it’s a great honor being invited to my third! Rusty Lemmon and I represent Key West in this year's event. All in all there are 150 songwriters on the schedule! Many thanks to my publisher George McClure of  McClure and Trowbridge Publishing Nashville, Charlie Bauer and Dani Strampello Holliday  of Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, here in Key West, and Mark Mason of BMI Nashville! Many thanks to all of you and I consider this my greatest honor to be a part of this incredible event!

Please check their website!

http://www.kwswf.com/

I’ll be once again sharing the stage with the wonderfully multi-talented Nashville based, Misty Loggins, who writes and performs her material, plays Dolly Parton at Dollywood, acted on tv shows, and is also about to star as Tammy Wynett, in a movie about Patsy Cline! Phew!

[Misty Loggins at the 2012 Key West Songwriter's Festival doing her song "Cardboard Raft"]

We’re playing Saturday, May 4^th at the Southernmost On The Beach resort, poolside from noon to one. Be sure to stop by and share the fun! As I say, we’re playing poolside so bring your bathing suits too!

http://www.southernmostresorts.com/southernmost-on-the-beach/

[ Here is the Southernmost Beach Resort pool, where Misty and I will be playing. 508 South Street, between Duval and Simonton Streets, a block and a half east of the Southernmost point]

At the moment I’m choosing what songs to play. Some songs I have to play, such as my signature songs “Liveavboard” and “Titusville”, Plus I HAVE to do “Island Blue”, which Misty and I cut together here in Key West last year. After that it’s open. I put out a questionnaire on Facebook and so many supported a song I’ve only put out as a demo thus far “The Greatest Country”, as well as my song “My Little Island Town”. I’m also doing a brand new song called “Seaplane”. That should pretty much take up my half hour of the show, although Misty and I will be alternating song by song back and forth. Misty, buckle your seat belt for “Seaplane” ;-)

It’s interesting as I’m one of four Trop Rock performers invited to the event, so I want to put my best foot forward naturally. I also want to again touch base with a few of the industry execs in attendance regarding making Trop Rock a recognized genre.  Hell, living and writing in the Florida Keys, I’m also Conch Rock, but first things first!

The Key West Songwriter’s Festival is always an incredible event with something like 25 different stages all over town hosting 150 performers. With only a few exceptions, all shows are free as well! If you’re coming in from out of town, be sure to book now, as the town fills up for this event.

This is the largest and by far, the most significant music event in Key West.

BE THERE!!!

All the best from Key West!

“Key West Chris” Rehm

For my album, demos, Biker music, and unreleased music downloads, with prices starting at $.75 downloads go to: 

http://keywestchris.com/

[2012 Key West Songwriter's Festival, me doing "My Little Island Town"] 

A Question of National Security, Major Changes Are Needed

This week's blog is focused on an American issue, because I feel it is relevant. The next blog will be back to the fun Key West issues! I apologize to my friends outside the U.S. who look forward to the Key West Blog!

I don’t rant often, but here goes! I had watched a hearing about a week and a half ago where Admirals and Generals of all branches of the U.S. military were fielding questions from Congressmen regarding the budget cuts which had not been finalized at that point. The bottom line was that with the rate of training cut back, should the budget not be decided on, the state of readiness of U.S. troops would be substantially hindered. To the point that should next year’s budget be approved a year from now, it would take a year and a half to bring the military back up to the state of readiness that we have today. One of the congressmen asked the Marine General (sorry, I didn’t catch names) where he thought the President stood on the issue. The General stated categorically that in his conversations with the President, the President emphatically did not want the budget cuts to happen.  Regretfully what happened was the budget was not reached and consequently, we are cast in the direction of being at a far lesser state of military readiness. According to all of the Admirals and Generals, this is not an issue that is up for debate: It’s a fact.

What this amounts to is a byproduct  of the secular partys we have today in Washington D.C. When I was growing up Democrats and Republicans would argue until they were blue in the face on the House and Senate floors. That’s no different than it is today. However, what is different today than what was then is the key to why something like this has happened.

In those former years Congressman X, a Democrat, and Congressman Y, a Republican, would go out and play a round of golf, or perhaps go out for a cocktail and work out their differences there. While they had a difference of opinion, off the floor they were friends.

This doesn't happen today and the end result of it is that our state of military readiness has been seriously compromised. We’re talking about our national security. The bottom line is that our representatives in Washington D.C. have put the interest of their party, ahead of national security.

Myself, I fall somewhere in the middle of what the two parties fundamentally stand for. There are things that the Democrats go for that I’m all behind and things that the Republicans back that I side with.

However, if these people are so entrenched against each other that they are willing to put national security at risk, it’s time for them to step down because, fact of the matter: They are incapable of doing their jobs, plain and simple.

I see it every day on Facebook, where certain people have, not a difference of opinion, not a disagreement, but a down and out HATRED for, not only the other party, but the individuals in it. Wherever hate is involved, very bad things happen.  In this case “Very Bad” = Our national security has been very seriously compromised. That is the degree that this has advanced to.

Bottom line, whomever is so secularized in Washington D.C. that they view the other party as a disease and will not work with them, to the point of compromising national security, sorry, but they have to go. Their priorities are severely jaded. Likewise, anyone who is promoting hatred of a party, or individuals, be it a congressman, senator, or the President, you need to realize that these actions have helped escalate reducing Washington D.C. to the point where we've compromised our national security for the next two and a half years (one year down and a year and a half to recover).

 As it stands now, when the new budget kicks in, we’re two and a half years behind where we are now as far as the state of military readiness. That’s a fact and it’s not going to change. Now keep in mind that this is a time where we have potential powder kegs such as Iran, or North Korea which could fly off the handle at any given moment. If something were to happen and any U.S. forces are lost because of a lack of readiness, the fault lies with the individuals in Washington D.C. as well as all who support the isolationism and downright hatred between the parties.

We’re Americans. We may not agree with each other, however we are bound together with common goals. We’re two and a half years behind the eight ball in a volatile world. All Americans need to work together as one for the common goal of the country, not the goal of political parties.

It’s high time to cut the horse manure.

U.S. Navy Key West, Truman Waterfront, The Mole Pier, Cuisine, Jimmy Block, New Website

NAVY

^ listen to my recent interview on Pirate Radio’s morning show^

The Navy, the Mole Pier, and the Truman Waterfront

Fifteen years ago the United States Navy gave the City of Key West an area of land called The Truman Waterfront. To date, the City has done nothing with it. The city has however granted the use of the ramp there for the new Duck Tours. Within the last week the Navy, who still control the two piers , named the Outer Mole Pier and the Inner Mole Pier, as well as the water, have cancelled civilian use of the water and piers. This effectively puts the duck tours out of business, as there is no other place where the amphibious crafts can enter the water at this stage.  The United States Armed forces have been using the area for Special Forces Training, for one. Seals, Green Berets… ex, use the thirty four foot deep Mole for underwater training.

Over the last two years, or so, the city has been entertaining the idea of building a civic area, as well as a marina,  as the land in the area still belongs to the city. With the Navy’s announcement last week of no civilian crafts allowed in the water, that squashed the plans for the marina right then and there. In this day and age marinas are closing, not opening, so this may very well have been a blessing in disguise for what could have been a major white elephant. The problem that the city is looking at is that in their plan, is that in their original outlook for the area, the revenue for the land development was to have come from the profits (??) from the marina. Well, now there will be no marina, so where will the funding come from? The idea of the marina bankrolling the civic area is sunk. Hummm.

Additionally, the Navy has the final say in what goes in there construction wise. About a year and a half ago they specified that no construction could be made where Eaton Street ends there. The reason for this is elementary: If the Navy needs the area in the future, they WILL take it back and they will need supply access for their supply trucks. This is why they stated Eaton Street must not be blocked by construction. Additionally, the Navy will review any plans for the area and say either “Yay” or “Nay”.

In the last year we’ve seen the Navy increasing their use of the Mole. In years passed it was a sub base.  I believe this ended in the mid-seventies. As of late, they’ve been increasing their usage of the area. Just over a year ago the Navy commissioned the USS Spruance here. Then, last September the Mole was host to ten ships of the joint task force. It was the most ships there since WWII and they could have fitted more easily. You may have seen the piece I wrote about it here in the blog.

The U.S. Navy has been increasing its usage of the Mole more and more. Let’s look a little closer at the obvious; Key West is the southernmost city in the United States and it already has two Naval piers that it can utilize. I call that a strategic advantage. It’s already been established that the Navy controls the Truman Waterfront area and has the final say as to what can and cannot be built there. In theory, it’s very possible that they could approve absolutely nothing for construction at The Truman Waterfront. On the other hand, if anything were to be built there by the city, they could take it over at the drop of a hat, in the name of national security, and rightly so.

What do I suggest? My suggestion may seem a bit out of the box for some, but please hear me out. My suggestion is that the City of Key West offers the U.S. Navy the Truman Waterfront property back, with the understanding that we want several U.S. Naval ships based here.

What this would do is bring in additional naval personnel and their families. That means new construction, additional civilian jobs, as well as additional money in our local economy.

To me, this seems to make the most sense. Additionally, I’d be willing to wager that those in charge in the Navy fifteen years ago, may not be the same people that are there today. Even if they were, we live in a very different world today, then back then. Also in that wager, I’d predict that the Navy would accept the land back.

Let’s work with the Navy, not against them. It’s good for everyone; The Navy, The City of Key West, the overall economy of Key West.

Cuisine

 Let’s look at cuisine for a moment.  If you run off to anywhere outside of wherever it is that you live, a good distance, you will end up encountering something that’s unique to where you’re visiting. The further you go, the more diverse it can get. Likewise, cuisines from emigrating populations arrive with that populous as well. Additionally, as you would expect, things that grow in a given area are part of that areas cuisine, naturally as well.

I’m thinking that I might add a cuisine section here every now and then,  just for a kick, or, pardon the pun, to spice things up.

In this blog today, I’ll add something that is native to the Keys, which is called “Ol’ Sour”. One of the most absolutely surprising things that I’ve found,  is that most of the chefs I’ve come across in this town don’t have a clue as to what it is at all, yet it’s native to the area that they are established.

Ol’ Sour is an old Conch* condiment made from key lime juice. Conchs always had key lime juice on the table, along with salt and pepper. The problem was that like all fruit, key limes have their season.  This was before refrigeration, mind you.  So, what the Conchs would do would be to take a table spoon of salt and a scotch bonnet pepper and put it in a pint rum bottle full of key lime juice.  It would go sour, but it also would be preserved. Two weeks and it’s ready. The longer you leave it, the better it gets. The heat of the pepper won’t kick in until a few months however. I had one bottle that was eight months old and it kicked ass!

So what happens when you get someone like me who discovers Ol’ Sour? Crazy things indeed! I decided to try it as a marinade. The one thing that you need to realize is that Key Limes have, by far, the highest APT rating (APT = Acid Per Teaspoon) of all citrus fruits. If you’re going to marinate say a chicken or pork in Ol’ Sour, four hours is the absolute maximum. An overnight marinade will kill the dish! Put in on the BBQ and about five minutes before it’s done; baste with your favorite BBQ sauce. Believe me, you’ll love it! For most fish, a 10 minute marinade is perfect.

Fly on Jimmy

We lost a Key West musician a few weeks back.  Jimmy  Block passed and it came as a shock to many of us. Jimmy was only maybe in his early to mid-forties. I knew him casually. He used to come to the Harpoon Harry’s open mic, often with an ensemble that would get into a rhythmic groove that was really, really cool. Godspeed Jimmy.

In Jimmy’s honor, I’ll put here the Youtube video of the Key West Junkanoos, recorded just a few months back, when they lost one of their own, Robert. The crowd following the Junkanoos, which included Robert’s brother Harold, were singing the Gospel song “I’ll Fly Away”, to the rhythm of the Junkanoos.  Today I’ll post it for Jimmy Block. Fly on Jimmy. Peace.

I redid my website and it is now a Shopify site.  The great thing about this is that you can now, not only buy my album “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)” but also a bunch of songs that were never released! Three songs I recorded a year prior to Shanghai’d are listed under “Salutations from Key West”, which include my signature song “Liveaboard”, along with “Garrison Bight”, and  ”Life on my Terms”. These songs feature myself on all guitars and vocals, Dan Simpson on Bass, and George Wood on keyboards. Also available are the four Biker songs my band “Chris Rehm and the Rabble Rousers” recorded in 2003, “Fat Boy”, “Sweet Dyna”, “Rainy Day”, and “Electra Glide”. These four songs are very different than most of my released songs, save for “Mile Zero” and “Cajun’s Got a Coconut”.

Additionally, there are actual demos of some songs that have yet to be recorded.  These songs are running only $.75 each.

As time goes on there will not only be more music available there, as well as other cool stuff that is currently in the works!

http://keywestchris.com/

*= Conchs are the nic-names of the first inhabitants of Key West after the Spanish left. (Conch is pronounced “Conk”)  Most came from the Bahamas and were decedents of Torys in the American Revolution, who fled to the Bahamas, part of the British Commonwealth. African Americans were also part of the emigrating group from the Bahamas. This was around 1820 on. Today anyone who is born in the island chain is considered a Conch, regardless of where their ancestry is from.  Anyone who is not from the islands, but lives there for seven years, is a “Freshwater Conch”.   The Conch Republic extends from the Dry Tortugas, through the Marquesas Keys, then through the archipelago of Keys that stretch from Key West through Key Largo. Approximately  1,700 islands are in the Conch Republic/Florida Keys.

 "WHAT HAPPENS IN KEY WEST STAYS IN KEY WEST" WRONG! EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN KEY WEST!!!!”

Vacationing In The Keys - Southernmost Coconut Castaways January Jump Up

Vacationing In The Keys – Southernmost Castaways Coconut Castaways January Jump Up


^Listen to “Raise My Glass To The Upper 48” while you enjoy the blog!^



If someone from, let’s say Chicago, wants to get away for a few days, where would they go? Depending on the time of year and what they’re looking for could result in a holiday in Vail, Colorado, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, New England, Florida, The Conch Republic, Washington D.C. New York City, Austin Texas.. the possibilities are endless, especially if the individual elects to spend that time within the United States.

So, here I am, living in the capital of the Conch Republic and I have an opportunity to take a few days off, what do I do? Well, pretty much the same as the aforementioned individual from Chicago, in that I’m staying within the boundaries of my own country… albeit the Conch Republic, that is :-D

For those not familiar with the Conch Republic, per say: The Conch Republic stretches from the Dry Tortugas, 70 (113Km) miles west of Key West, through the Marquesas islands, and on through Key West and up all of the Keys, extending 18 miles (29Km) up the mainland to the Last Chance Saloon, the first structure in Florida City. The State of Florida considers us part of Florida and the United States of America considers us part of the USA. Let it be stated, that as citizens of the Conch Republic, we are first and foremost very proud Americans! We also allow the State of Florida go on believing we are part of that state because they do things for our benefit, like maintain our bridges and roads. As long as people have lived in the Keys, when they had to travel to the mainland they would say “I have to go up to Florida”.

The fact is, the mentality here is entirely different than anywhere else in the world. I recall when I used to live in Cutler Bay, I’d `drive down to Key Largo, which was only about 35 miles (56Km) away, the great weight of the mainland’s stress suddenly lifted off of my shoulders. That eighteen mile stretch from the Last Chance Saloon to Key Largo was such a cool ride too! First, the drive through the Everglades which would gradually transform bit by bit, into the Keys.


I naturally spent quite a bit of time in the upper Keys back then, Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada so I know it somewhat well. Therefore, with the option of leaving the big city of Key West and all the hussle and bustle that goes on here, where do I want to go for a few days off? I wanted to go someplace that actually is Laid Back. I packed up the dogs and headed to a marvelous place in Key Largo, Sunset Cove Beach Resort, which sits bayside on the southbound lane of US1 (the only road that runs through the Keys). They have a beautiful beach, with four tikis. The grounds also had a large tiki hut with a bar that would be ideal for larger groups. This place was what I call “Old Keys”, while it had all modern conveniences; the place itself was most likely built in the 40’s or 50’s. Robin, the manager, whom I’m guessing hails from South Africa, judging by his accent, was just a pleasure to work with as well.


Everyone’s different, but damn, if I want to stay in a modern motel, I can go up to the mainland and get a sterile room at a Holliday Inn. Hell, if I’m in the Keys, I want history and character! Besides, the room was spotless, had a refrigerator, micro wave, and a large flat screen TV/DVD player. Myself, I only used the ‘fridge. Other rooms were available with full kitchens, btw.


I met a charming couple on the beach my first morning, Ellie and Richard. Their home was severely damaged up in Mass. in Hurricane Sandy and had been at Sunset Cove for six weeks. They are there for about another month while repairs were being done. Now these folks had the right idea! They were up early, had breakfast at a place almost right next door, Mrs. Mac’s, then headed to the beach, where they would spend the entire day just absorbing the beautiful tranquility and scenery of sail boats anchored just off shore, glistening in the sun reflecting off the water, while meeting new people every day. I didn’t ask, however this seemed to be their daily routine. They were always quick to offer a beer or a cocktail as well.

Richard made a statement that stuck with me. “Life is made from good memories. You may change places, but the memories where you’ve been and the people you’ve met will always be with you. We love it here”



Exactly !

As in all things Keys, the sunsets are outstanding. Key Largo sits on Blackwater Sound to its west. This is the exact same body of water that Humphrey Bogart motored out of, in the Bogart/Bacall movie “Key Largo”, held at bay by Edward G. Robinson’s character, the gangster Rocco, albeit just up the coast a few miles or so (that movie was filmed at the Caribbean Club, MM104). Sunset is always something to relish in the Keys, no matter where you are!




As sunset was approaching, a beautiful young woman headed out on the water on a paddle board. After she was out maybe seventy five yards, she started doing yoga on the paddle board! I know I surely would have gone overboard, however watching her I realized that at least for myself, I’ve never seen anyone do yoga on a paddle board. She was obviously very well versed with it! Additionally, sufface to say from the picture, it’s working!




In short, Sunset Cove is HIGHLY recommended!

http://sunsetcovebeachresort.com/



Heading home on Tuesday I had a part in the Southernmost Coconut Castaways January Jump Up, which this month was being held at Mangrove Mama’s, MM20 on Overseas Hwy. What a great time that was! Mangrove Mama’s was originally a Railroad Station back when the Overseas Highway existed, between 1912 and 1936, before a severe hurricane wiped out the upper section of the railway in Islamorada, at the cost of over 600 lives of railway workers. Mangrove Mama’s is a great place and the event had Captain Ron, Captain Josh, Myself, and Howard Livingstone playing. The Southernmost Castaways are a splendid group of people as well, do gooders who know how to have a good time as well! Thanks Everyone!

http://www.southernmostcoconutcastaways.com/



(Regretfully, my camera somehow lost the pictures I took at the event. :-(     )

All the best from Key West!

Key West Chris CD “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse” is available for download on iTunes, Beachfront Radio, CD Baby, CD Universe, and Rhapsody. Physical copies are available at Greenworld Gallery Key West, The Cork And Stogie (Key West), The Key West Bait Shop, CD Baby and CD Universe Search “Key West Chris”

“Chris, I really loved your music !” Shelly Liebowitz (Producer of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Ray Brown..ex)

VERY BUSY CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS - NEW CD IN THE WORKS

VERY BUSY CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS,  A NEW CD IS IN THE WORKS

^Listen to “Key West Blues” while reading the blog! ^

It’s been reported that Key West has had its busiest Christmas/and New Years!  It was reported that on December 30 and 31 the reported occupancy rate in Key West was at 99% The rest of the Keys hotels/motels were 97% occupied for New Years! Additionally, spending was up as well! Even by January 5^th, occupancy in Key West was at 95% and the rest of the Keys at 93%

It goes to show that my daily postings of pictures on Facebook, both on my personal page, as well as my music fan page, and not forgetting this blog, along with a CD that is made with the soul of the Keys in it… is doing some good! HA HA HA!! :-D  

On a sad note, my friend Jeep Caillouet was at Two Friends restaurant having a beer, when they started their karaoke night. One guy visiting from out of town,  got up to sing “Margaritaville”. According to Jeep, after about 35 seconds the poor guy collapsed and died on the spot.  No suffering, no nothing. It was very sad indeed though. However, on the bright side, he passed having fun in Key West. Myself, I’ll continue steering clear of singing Margaritaville….  and frequenting karaoke bars.

 I’ve been writing for my follow up CD to “Shanghai’d and Marooned In Key West (things could be worse)” for a bit now. It’s tough! Not so tough to write, per say but rather to figure out what will be used and what will be put on hold. One of the standards I go by, and which I did with Shanghai’d, is that I hate CDs that everything sounds the same. I’ve picked up a bunch of CDs this year, some of which were nominated for various awards, yet  by the third song, I’m cutting it off and moving on. It’s not that the songs are bad, but rather to my ear, they sound too similar. Different songs, even different rhythms, yet they have the same feel to them. Each song can stand on its own, but not collectively on a CD where everything else has a similar sound. Often one can blame the producer, other times the artist themselves.

 On Shanghai’d,  I strived to move away from that and we succeeded one way by writing songs in different root genres. This wasn’t something different for me, or unusual. However, for the CD we used Afro Cuban/Motown, Jazz, Funk, Country, South Seas Polynesian, Rock, Southern Rock, Barrel House Blues, Brazilian, and Bahamian were all utilized on the one album. Also, we used eighteen different musicians, all Key West locals, who are second to none.  Some musicians played on some songs, others on different songs. . Consequently, nothing sounds the same at all.  Of course the Coup de Gras was having Key West producer/engineer, and sound man,  Dan Simpson produce it, as well as engineer it. That was a main critical point.

So, when a record producer from Los Angeles, who produced Miles Davis, Ella, Dr. John, Maria Muldauer… stops and takes his time to write to say “Chris, I LOVE your CD!” that says everything!  It’s one thing if a guy on a barstool says he loves the CD. It means a whole lot to me anyway. However, when a producer of that magnitude says something so complementary, it’s like getting shot out of a cannon! It also tells me that the formula WORKED!

So, now I’m looking at a follow up. Do I use the same formula? Do I change it? Well, a little of both actually. It won’t be the same as Shanghai’d because Shanghai’d’s already been done and said what it had to say. What it will do is follow the formula of every song sounding different. Some musicians will remain the same, some will change. One thing is for sure, there is a plethora of outstanding musicians here in Key West to choose from!

Engineer/Producer Dan Simpson will again be called on to twist the dials… who else in Trop Rock has Miles Davis’ producer write to say he loves the product?  Really? That’s a no brainer, it’s even common sense to a complete idiot. Seriously, if a poll were taken by professionals in the music industry rating the independent releases in Trop Rock, “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)” would win hands down in the best production category, and that’s solely because of Dan Simpson and Private Ear Recording. Dan is above top notch and in a class of his own. Plus, he and I just plain work well together. This upcoming one with be our third project together.

With Shanghai’d one of the objectives was also to bring to Trop Rock some things that have never been utilized before. I recall DJ Jeff Allen telling me several times how he loved the clarinet in “The Beach!!!!”. We also had the regular Bass player, Bubba Lownotes, play not only his upright acoustic orchestral bass, but also his Tuba, on “Dildo Key” giving the song a mercurial humorous mirth to it, yet not to the point where when you hear it for the fifteenth time, it’s like an old joke.

I already have a couple of collaboration songs in the hopper, “Marvin Key”, written with my friend Rick Hogan and “Yippie Cayo Hueso”  a saying borrowed from and credited to my friend Key Largo Joe Gowran. If time and opportunity prevail, Misty Loggins and I will also collaborate on both writing and recording more things as well.

More news as it develops!

 "WHAT HAPPENS IN KEY WEST STAYS IN KEY WEST…

 WRONG! EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN KEY WEST!”