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Thursday, May 16, 2019

Mario Andretti

 






Mario Andretti. Thirteen letters that says all that needs to be said. There doesn't need an introduction. There doesn't need an explanation. The name says it all.

Back in his hay days everyone knew his background, however as he's been retired for... a really long time and today, everyone knows his name, even if they are not race fans. His last Indy Car race was in 1982! After all, he's won the Indy 500, The Daytona 500, The World Driving Championship, and well over 100 sanctioned races, plus many more that were not sanctioned events. Today, if you tell someone that, they will nod and say “WOW!” But on the same token, they pretty much expect something like that on account of his reputation for being a great race driver and a world figure.

                                        (Winning the World Driving Championship)

However, the younger generation today know him as a great American racing driver. What many younger fans today don't realize is that Mario Andretti is a true reflection of the American Dream.

                                        (racing with teammate and son, Michael)

To start with, Mario Andretti is an immigrant.

He was born in Montona, Italy in 1940. After WW II his town was annexed to Yugoslavia and along with his parents, older sister, and twin brother, they moved and lived in a refugee camp in Lucca, Italy. There they lived in a building with several other families with hanging sheets for walls. When he was fourteen the Andretti family emigrated to the U.S. He became a U.S. Citizen in 1966.

Mario Andretti is genuinely a very, very, nice man. His spirituality also is something that he takes quite seriously.





My two biggest Mario moments were back when he clinched the World Championship in Italy, the next race was The Grand Prix of the United States at Watkin's Glen, New York. I met him in the paddock the day before the race and shook his hand, thanking him for giving The United States of America a World Champion. Thanking Mario meant something to him. Of course I wasn't the only one, no doubt. I think for him, the appreciation he had for coming to this country, he saw being returned. I was so glad I did that.

The next big moment was last Christmas. Mario suggested his followers post a picture of their Christmas Trees, which he did likewise. I posted a picture of our tree and he replied something like “Merry Christmas to Key West!” I was completely thrilled! That made my month!

NBC Sports made a four part YouTube series on Mario that they just released before The Indy 500, which has been traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend, for over one-hundred years. Now, you'll find thousands and thousands of videos of Mario behind the wheel in a race. Here however, you'll find Mario talking about his childhood in Montona, Italy, his family life as a child, his family living as refugees in Lucca, Italy, complete with all the adventures with his twin brother, Aldo, sailing to America, a country where he didn't even speak the language. He bravely speaks of his wife Dee Ann, (and who also taught him English) to whom he was married from 1961 to her passing last year (deepest sympathies, Mario), plus his children, grand-children, nephews and much, much more.

It must be noted that NBC Sports did just a fabulous, fabulous job on their special! The four installments are below. As I say, you'll see what a nice, good, and inspirational man Mario is. Put aside his success, as a human being he'll leave you without words.

Thank you Mario and thank you NBC Sports

Enjoy!

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4




Thank you for reading my blog!

Please check out The Shanty Hounds NEW LIVE RELEASE!!!


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Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journey and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!

 Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!

 26 Five-Star ratings!





Also, my first book, Bar Stories, is now available in paperback!


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Enjoy the sound of the Keys!



 The author is a BMI  Nashville published songwriter since 2000 with McClure and Trowbridge Publishing, Nashville, Tn.

















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Saturday, April 6, 2019

The Absolute Best Bar Owner/GM (Publican) in Key West


                                                          Photo by Rob ONeil

Here in Key West we have several "Best Of" Surveys. It could be best gym, or best Cuban coffee, best bar, best pizza, best hat store, best bartender, so on and so forth. One thing I haven't seen however is, using the British term, Best Publican, or in American English, Best Bar Owner and or, General Manager.


The fact is, with over 360 liquor licenses and who knows how many beer and wine licenses, there's a hell of a lot of bars on this mile-and-a-half wide (no, it's it's not two miles) by four mile long island! So you can imagine that in a town that consumes far more alcohol per capita than any other city in the U.S. There are a LOT of incredibly fabulous Publicans!

For me, however, there is only one choice as to who the best Publican in town is and it's a testament to the ultra-high standards the town has achieved, because as I say there are a hell of a lot of five-star Publicans in this town!

Commonly known as Dave Senior, whom I'm partnered with at The Cork and Stogie, Dave is #1.





As a bar owner/general manager Dave is the ideal. In addition to doing the ordering and setting things up every day with his wife and my other partner, Leslie, the things one doesn't and shouldn't see that actually make the operation run, Dave is the perfect Publican!



In the operation of a bar there is one single requirement that is vital: The atmosphere.

Nothing, absolutely nothing is more important than this.

Over the decades I've seen many bars fail because the owner, or GM took things outwardly, way to seriously. First and foremost the bar must be a fun, congenial place to be. Of those with the serious atmosphere, they failed. However, Dave Senior gets this. The Cork and Stogie is FUN!







If someone walks into The Cork and Stogie, weather he knows them or not, the very first thing Dave Senior does is give them a big smile and a welcome, friendly greeting. It might be someone who works there, it might be a regular patron, it may be a tourist coming for the first time, it doesn't matter who it is. Dave Senior has a smile and a greeting for everyone. Not only that, most owners or managers stay behind the scenes. That's fine, it's a system that works for many., especially the ones who are dower. Dave, however, kicks it up a notch. He mingles and socializes with the guests. Consequently, everyone knows Dave.




                                                                   Photo by John Frenzi




The customer needs to feel welcome and comfortable. Believe it or not, I've walked into bars where the owner, or GM actually looked at patrons with a face of stone. No greeting, no smile, nothing. Who wants that atmosphere? If any owner, manager, or employee is in this state of mind, which can happen with anyone, they really need to check out for the day and try it again tomorrow.

I say it can happen with anyone, but that's not entirely true because it never happens with Dave Senior!

Dave always has a greeting, smile, and a great conversation, mostly peppered with humor and laughter for every person who walks through the door.



The Cork and Stogie is ten years old and the other night someone asked Dave if he ever actually fired anyone. He pondered for a second saying “Hummm lets see? Well we had one.... “ until someone hollered out his son's name, “Dave Junior!!!!” The entire bar ROARED with laughter.

Dave Senior also has an innate knowledge of what's happening in the business world of Key West. If you want to know anything about businesses opening, or closing, talk to Dave. If he knows the inside story on why someplace closed, no, Dave would never go into that. However, Dave Senior has his finger on the business pulse of what happens on and off Duval.

In addition, if there are any rough edges that needs to be smoothed out, Dave puts on his diplomatic hat and puts everything back in order with minimal fuss.

On the ridiculous side, Dave has dressed up in the most absurd outfits to promote events. He also shaved his head for charity!





                          Scott in the process of shaving Dave Senior's head

I've known Dave well for over eight years and I have never heard someone say anything negative about him.

As I said, The Cork and Stogie has been in existence since 2009. Owners Dave and Leslie were kind enough to take me on as their partner four years ago, on April 1st (my choice, no kidding!) 2015 and I've had a blast! Thank you!


At the end of this month, The Cork and Stogie will be closing for renovations. As of this writing we will be re-opening three months later on August 1st, with more room and a full kitchen, plus a complete redesign,

So, swing by The Cork and Stogie, 1218 Duval St. Key West, and say hello to the absolute best Owner/GM in town, Dave Bevins Senior, before the end of the month!

Congratulations Dave Senior, you set the standard!






                                                     Dave and Leslie Bevins



Thank you for reading my blog!

Please check out The Shanty Hounds NEW LIVE RELEASE!!!


“Unleashed! Live at Grunts – Key West”






Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journey and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!

 Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!

 26 Five-Star ratings!






Also, my first book, Bar Stories, is now available in paperback!







Enjoy the sound of the Keys!



 The author is a BMI  Nashville published songwriter since 2000 with McClure and Trowbridge Publishing, Nashville, Tn.







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Monday, February 25, 2019

Story Behind The Song - The Greatest Country









"The Greatest Country" is a song I wrote in 2004. Many people are not familiar with it because to date, I've never released it. I do have a demo of it, however and a few stations play it from time to time.

Click the YouTube link above to hear it!

The curious thing here is: There is a sizable amount of people who feel this may very well be my best song.

I've been blessed in having been a Nashville published songwriter since 2000 with McClure and Trowbridge Publishing. Additionally, I've been in the Key West Songwriter's Festival, seven times. To the lay person, The Key West Songwriter's Festival may sound like a small, colloquial event. Actually, it's the largest songwriting festival in the world. The event is put on by Charlie Bauer, here in Key West, and BMI Nashville. The event has about 240 songwriters from around the world in it, so for me to be included in seven was a great honor!

Honestly, I can't say if it, or anything else I've written is my best? It's like picking out favorite children.

What I can do though is talk about the song and how it came about.

My second wife had three girls when I came into the scene. The youngest was 8, the next 11, and the oldest 14. We lived in Cutler Bay at the time and Key Largo was just over a half hour drive. The Caribbean Club, an incredible, rustic, historic, open air bar dating from the 1930's, became a Sunday expedition. We talked a lot of when the girls were grown, we'd move to Key Largo. We also talked about buying an RV and seeing the country!

Influenced by that, I ended up writing this song "The Greatest Country".

On the surface, because of it's name, it may come across as something of a gung-ho nationalist theme. Actually it's not, but rather a song that celebrates all of the places, as diverse as they are, that this country has to offer, in the setting of traveling.

I say all, but actually it's just a few select places. The song required a lot of editing, or it would have been as long as Alice's Restaurant!

The worst part of editing is that it really hurts! It's a lot like being the coach of a little league baseball team and having to cut some kids. With the songs, there are so many that so much went into, I stash the cut lyrics. Maybe I can find a better home for them down the line?

As I've said previously, I write the music first. You can have the best lyrics in the world, but if the song can't hold it's own weight, it will never be able to justify the story it's been entrusted to carry.

Musically, I was very happy with the song when I wrote it. The song is in the key of A.

The opening musical line is A  F#m7  Bm7 Esus
The next line is A  F#m7 B7 Esus

Strictly speaking, this shouldn't work The first line has a Bm7 and the next a B7. It is a contradiction that manages somehow to be a complement. The Bm7 and B7 continue to alternate, though during the lyric the B7 resolves on an E instead of the Esus,



The song's lyrics follow and the demo recording is above. Check out both and see what you think! Let me know if you think I should record it on my next release, after the upcoming EP, due out in 60 days! 😀




The Greatest Country
1


WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HITTIN' THE ROAD

PACK UP THE DOGS AND AWAY WE GO

BUY OURSELVES AN R V AND TAKE OFF LIKE A BIRD

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

2

WE'LL GET THE KIDS ALL GROWN UP AND ON THEIR OWN

EVERY NIGHT WILL BE A NEW BACKYARD WHEREVER WE GO

WE'LL SEE THIS NATION SEA TO SHINING SEA

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

(chorus)

AND I CAN SEE IT NOW WE'RE ROLLIN' DOWN A ROAD

HONEY CAN'T YOU SEE IT IN MY EYES TOO?

THE PAINTED DESERT LIES AHEAD, LOUISIANA TOO

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

3

A BATTLEFIELD IN VIRGINIA THE BLUES IN SAINT LOUIS

THE BIG RACE AT INDY ON MEMORIAL DAY

AND ON TO ILLINOIS WE'LL LOOK UP JOHN PRINE

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU



4

THE GRAND CANYON, THE HOOVER DAM

THE ALAMO IN TEXAS, CROCKETT'S LAST STAND

LITTLE BIG HORN AND ROUTE 66 HONEY LET'S MAKE THIS BAG OF TRIPS

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU

CAUSE MEMORIES AND HIGHWAYS LEAD TO YOU


(chorus)

AND I CAN SEE IT NOW WE'RE ROLLIN' DOWN A ROAD

CAN'T YOU SEE IT IN MY EYES TOO?

THE OLD SOUTH, NEW ENGLAND, DESERT SOUTHWEST

BIG CITIES AND GHOST TOWNS TOO

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

5

DAKOTAS, MONTANA, YEAH WE'LL SEE MOUNT RUSHMORE TOO

AND A CALIFORNIA MISSION IS RINGING IN THE RAIN

SEQUOIAS AND REDWOODS WILL RICOCHET US BACK TO THE FLORIDA KEYS

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

(chorus)

AND I CAN SEE IT NOW WE'RE ROLLIN' DOWN A ROAD

CAN'T YOU SEE IT IN MY EYES TOO?

THE OLD SOUTH, NEW ENGLAND, DESERT SOUTHWEST


AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!

AIN'T THIS THE GREATEST COUNTRY!


© 5/15/2004    McClure and Trowbridge Publishing Nashville. BMI




Thank you for reading my blog!

Please check out The Shanty Hounds NEW LIVE RELEASE!!!


“Unleashed! Live at Grunts – Key West”






Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journey and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!

 Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!

 26 Five-Star ratings!






Also, my first book, Bar Stories, is now available in paperback!







Enjoy the sound of the Keys!



 The author is a BMI  Nashville published songwriter since 2000 with McClure and Trowbridge Publishing, Nashville, Tn.


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