GOOD BYE BOBALU’S, GOOD BYE MOHAWK, SLOPPY JOE’S COCONGA, FLORIDITA BAR, HOW TO GET GREAT SOUND ON YOUR NEXT CD!


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






Well, the place voted for having the very best jerk chicken on the island, Bobalu’s, is closing. Bear in mind that the place is known for its pizza, which is a thin crust New Haven style pizza. It’s just that for me, getting good jerk chicken is a tough call. As mentioned in a previous blog, the only other place in town that I know of that has good jerk, is Blue Heaven. I don’t know what Schooner Wharf or The Hogfish serve as jerk chicken, mind you whatever it is tastes good, it’s just not jerk chicken. It also should be mentioned that I absolutely love those two bars with all my heart. On a scale of 1 – 10 they are both solid 10s.

The situation at Bobalu’s is complicated. The bottom line is the main owner of the Green Parrot (attached to Bobalu’s) also owns the Bobalu’s property and wants to revamp the entire place and re-open it in the fall as a B.B.Q. restaurant.

Keeping in mind that I’m not a restaurateur, but there are a few things that I don’t understand at play here. First off, Bubalu’s has been there for about three years and has been successful making money as a Pizza place with great live music. Everybody likes pizza and theirs is exceptional to boot. According to the local paper and the word on the street, the landlord, Pat Croce, wants to revamp the entire place. With the idea of a B.B.Q. place strikes me as odd because that was a B.B.Q. place, not once, but twice, both times going out of business. I may be a simpleton, but it strikes me that what the landlord has here is a perfect, turnkey operation. They close one day and open the next continuing to sell pizza, which is a successful business there already. Why spend, what will undoubtedly be hundreds of thousands of dollars, re-vamping a place, trying for a third time in a business that has failed in that same location twice already? Everybody likes pizza. Does everyone like B.B.Q. too?

Another big concern of mine is if it will still be open air and continue to allow dogs?

I hope it works for everyone. I may not understand it, but it’s not my field either. I’m sorry to see Bubalu’s close and I hope they look for a new place here in town. They will keep their other restaurant in Big Coppit Key as well. Good luck to Pat Croce as well with the new endeavor. He currently has the Rum Barrel and I think Island Dogs, plus he co-owns the Green Parrot, which he bought into last year. He no doubt, knows what he’s doing.


The Mohawk has left town forever, regrettably. Built in 1934, the Coast Guard cutter had a very important role in protecting allied shipping in the North Atlantic during WWII. The Mohawk will be sunk as a reef off the west coast of Florida. It was a fun coincidence as the Mohawk’s successor, The Mohawk, an active Coast Guard cutter, is also stationed in Key West, so we had both Mohawks in Key West simultaneously. The retired Mohawk was here as a museum and its sister ship, the Ingham, remains here as a museum at the Truman Waterfront. Godspeed Mohawk.
http://www.uscgcmohawk.org/


“SLOPPY JOE’S, HOME OF THE COCONGA”
That’s what it said on the awning and also the wall on a postcard we dug up from the early sixties. But what’s a Coconga? So, Key Largo Joe, Bobby D. and I marched over there to find out armed with a picture of the postcard. I approached one bartender and ordered a Coconga. “What’s that?” she asked. “I don’t know, but apparently Sloppy Joe’s is the home of the Coconga apparently, so I figured I’d come and try one!” as I handed her the picture. She looked at it and shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, I never heard of it.” Same thing with another bartender at one of the satellite bars inside of Sloppy Joe’s. She was very pleasant, but confessed she never heard of it. We then looked it up on the iPhone, though it was quite evasive, we eventually did find it. It dates back to 1942. We were going to go to Sloppy Joe’s and hand them the recipe, but Key Largo Joe thought better of it, saying that they were busy and it would only piss them off. So, consequently we marched all around town, dug up the ingredients, and made some wonderful, tropical Coconga drinks on the streets of Key West! Delightful drink, I might add! My suggestion is that Sloppy Joe’s bring back the Coconga! After all, they are “The Home of the Coconga”.



Over at the Boathouse I had a similar situation. I ordered a daiquiri and the bartender asked what flavor. Now, mind you I’m not one for a silly drink with an umbrella and a banana, or strawberry flavor. I wanted the real traditional Cuban daiquiri, which of course is lime flavored and made in a shaker. The bartender didn’t know how to make it. It really wasn’t her fault, as people don’t order this so much anymore. However, the underlining point here is that a traditional Cuban Daiquiri is just a perfect drink for the summer and it’s easy to make. Uh… Shaken, not blended! ;-)



Over at the Floridita Bar in Havana is where they later invented the frozen daiquiri, which is also a lime drink only and again, very refreshing indeed! If the name of “El Floridita” sounds familiar it’s because that was Hemingway’s favorite bar in Havana. Here’s their recipe for the frozen daiquiri.




On the music side of things, I was discussing recording with my friend Marc Hollander the other day. I mentioned that I was so glad that I recorded my CD here in Key West, for a multitude of reasons. For starters, I have musicians who are locally based. For those who are not in the know, Key West has a large supply of completely stellar musicians to choose from. All of them I had the privilege of working with on “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)”, which were eighteen in all, just stepped right up to the plate. First class all the way. Second, engineer/producer Dan Simpson has been doing this for over thirty years. One of the things that annoys Dan is the products coming out of Nashville, New York, and L.A. these days are focused on a very thin sound, which is geared for MP3 listening, yet omitting the high fidelity sound. As Dan points out, “Everyone goes out and buys these wonderful stereos that can reproduce the most incredible sound and the stuff they’re putting out today is…. He pauses and lowers his head as he shakes it side to side “… well it’s just shit”. Marc spent many years in the record business and when we were talking about this, he stated that when he puts my CD in his stereo, there’s a very significant difference in overall sound between my CD and another other local artist who goes up to Nashville to record. I can’t recommend Dan more to other artists who are searching for a great engineer/ producer for their next recording. Come to Key West and record something that has significantly better sound fidelity than what you’ll likely get in Nashville, New York, or L.A. It’s a no brainer really! See for yourself. Pop in my CD into a great system and sit back and listen!

http://privateearstudio.com/



Available at: CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, CD Universe, and Beachfront Radio. Search "Key West Chris"
Available in Key West at: Green World Gallery, The Cork & Stogie, and Key West Bait and Tackle.

KEY WEST SONGWRITER'S FESTIVAL 2012

Key West Songwriter's Festival 2012




What can one say about the Key West Songwriter’s Festival? Well, for starters it’s by far, the largest musical event held in Key West. Additionally, unlike other musical events, in addition to 130+ songwriters in attendance, there are also the top executives in the recording industry in from Nashville. Basically what happens is the recording industry moves to Key West for six days, or so to have fun and let their hair down. The festival is a joint production between Charlie Bauer, who started the festival 17 years ago and BMI Nashville. BMI, Charlie’s establishment Smokin’ Tuna, and Better Angels music publishing are the main sponsors of the event, which is held in about thirty different locations around the Island. The island was packed as well for the festival! Word on the street was that if you could actually find a room, they were running $400 a night and air fare from Nashville to Key West was $900 for a walk on.

One of the fun things for everyone here during the Songwriter’s Fest is the realization that so many songs we hear are not written by those who make the songs famous, but rather by songwriters whom many of us may have never heard of. Forgive the pun, but the un-sung heroes of music today. Here in Key West we always hear great musicians playing what’s known as “Covers”; Songs made famous by other artists. It’s a two way street, as no matter how good a musician or a band are, without good songs to work with, they’ll never have a foundation to work off of. Often I’ll hear a song myself that I always assumed was written by the artist who made it famous. This year I heard the song “I Ain’t Missin’ You At All”, of course made famous by John Waits. This year I learned he didn’t write it, but rather a guy in a cowboy hat playing at The Bottle Cap did. Regretfully, I missed his name. Likewise the beautiful song done by Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride “Trip Around The Sun”. I always thought it was a Buffett song. Stupid me, huh? Then, there I was at a completely and utterly packed Smokin’ Tuna when Al Anderson started playing it. He co-wrote it with Steve Bruton and Sharon Vaughan. When I heard it, I had to hop up from my table and tunnel my way to the stage armed with my iPhone video rolling!



For me, this was my second year as a performer. Special thanks and tons of gratitude to BMI, Charlie, Dani Holiday, and McClure and Trowbridge Publishing Nashville for getting me involved in this fantastic event. Dani Holiday is the point woman for the festival here in Key West. Everything seems to go through Dani and she’s one very, very busy woman! She always kept a smile however, which in turn keeps everyone else smiling as well! As with last year, I was one of her poster deliverers. It’s a fun task and as I’m local with some time to burn, I’m always happy to contribute.

This year my gig was at the Best Western Key Ambassador, which is over by the airport. I was teamed up with my pal, Misty Loggins, whom I recorded Island Blue with earlier this year. Additionally, my old buddy Bobby D, who played a lot of the lead guitar on my CD “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)” had just moved back into town the day before and was kind enough to video both Misty and my performances. Our gig went great, as well. We were poolside. What a great setting! Misty kicked ass on her songs too! What a performer and a great honor to share the stage with! She was just flat out fantastic! We also did the first solo acoustic version of Island Blue that we’ve ever done. With the song getting airplay from California all across the country… and across the Atlantic in Europe as well, wild horses couldn’t drag us from the stage to keep us from doing that one! The last time we were together doing it was when she recorded her vocals back five months ago at Danny Simpson’s Private Ear Studios. We never got to rehearse it, but Misty being the pro that she is, aced it!








In addition, I got to meet not one, but two Facebook friends Flip Flop and also, Kent McCoy! What fun and we also hung out here and there throughout the festival at additional events. My buddy Key Largo Joe also made it after automobile trouble on the way down the Keys Thanks Joe!!!


It being just the nature of the beast, there are so many events going on simultaneously, it’s just impossible to see them all. Two performers that I caught for the first time that left a big impression on me were Chuck Cannon and Lauren Lucas. This was Chuck’s seventeenth appearance, so he’s been in every event since the beginning as this was the seventeenth annual event. Chuck’s an amazing guitarist who plays in a very bazar tuning all of the time. At the same time, he’s also a marvelous wordsmith. It was a treat to meet and also hear him. As a matter of fact, he and Misty wrote a song and played it together on her set! Great stuff indeed!



I bumped into Lauren Lucas’ set at Island Dogs by chance and was very impressed. Great chord changes, not typical and wonderful lyrics to go along with them. It was a great surprise! Regretfully I didn’t get to meet her. I was at an outside table, so there was a bit of crowd noise and the camera was a good deal shaky, however her audio cuts through quite well.




Since Charlie Bauer started Smokin’ Tuna back last summer, it only made sense that Smokin’ Tuna was the central location for everything. It’s a great music venue as well. Local songwriter, by way of Texas, by way of Nashville, Clint Bullard had what had to be the best audience reaction of the entire festival. Everyone in the crowd was singing along with the choruses/bridges in all of his songs! I didn’t see this with any other performers on this magnitude. It was truly awe inspiring! Clint did a great set as well and having such fantastic support left me in amazement of both his great performance as well as his fans enthusiasm for him. It made me feel good all over!




Also at Smokin’ Tuna were sets from the writers at Better Angels. What a marvelous group of writers they are as well! In one forty five minute set, I heard three #1 hits. Amazing really! The head of Better Angels, Rob sat in on the Cajon on all of his players sets. I had a couple of nice short conversations with him both this year and last. What a positive guy! We’re all grateful for his support of the event!




I already can’t wait for next year’s Songwriter’s Fest! The Key West Songwriter’s Fest is a celebration of writers. No, you won’t hear any covers… but you may just know a lot of the songs you hear, done by the artists who are the ones who actually wrote them. (Additionally, I can promise you that you’ll hear a boatload of just incredible songs that you never heard before as well!) Without them, the artists who made them famous, or cover them in bars as solo, or as bands, would never have had them to play to begin with. This isn’t a matter of what came first, the chicken or the egg. The song is always born first. Everything else comes after that, the arrangements, the production, the musicianship, the performances, the recordings, everything. The song always comes first in music. The song is the nucleus of music.

Three Sailing events in one week! Many Captains!, Plus Intro to The Key West Songwriter's Festival 2012

SUNSET SAIL ^ Listen to “Sailing” while you read the Blog!^ What a great week on the water, here in beautiful Key West! I am truly blessed with great friends who own boats! On the 25th, Captain Larry Poff and his able mate Michelle Dougan, hot off of their two month sail to the Bahamas, took a group of us out for a late afternoon sunset sail aboard his Morgan 41 sailboat Transition. There’s really something that is so relaxing and fulfilling about being on a sailboat. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy powerboats as well; however a sailboat is so peaceful, cutting through the waves using only the wind. It’s a very natural experience. Also, one can’t help both admire the expertise of the captains involved. Sailing may be fun, but it’s also work that requires a great knowledge of the sea, the wind, and how to deal with both in a million different circumstances. When I was young my dad had a sailboat; a Kells 24, I believe it was. The Lilly M, named after my mom. He always told me “Aboard a boat, there can only be one captain” . Aboard Transition, Captain Larry Poff is the undisputed captain. On his way back from the Bahamas Larry ran into a storm between Bimini and Florida which has sustained winds of 60 knots (65mph/106kph). He got back safe and sound. That says it all for me. Nature doesn’t wait for you, so If Larry says “jump”, I say “how high?”. The sail that night was superb. Beautiful sunset as well! I tried to film it for the blog, but fellow passenger Pat (Paddy) Lynch kept busting my chops about throwing me in. I was laughing my ass off. Then he started making noises like he was getting sick… then he actually DID start to get sick! Oh The Humanity! The Battle Collage photos by Rachel Siegel! Thanks Rachel! A Couple of days later I was aboard Aurora, for the Conch Republic 30th anniversary battle re-enactment, also known as “The Bloody Battle. It’s theConch Republic Navy, Air Force, and Army vs the Coast Guard. The invitation came weeks earlier from Captain Blackheart Charlie and Rachel Siegel. Some may know Blackheart and Rachel from the cover of my CD “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)” Blackheart and Rachel are the two pirates on the right of the CD cover picture dragging me into Captain Tony’s Saloon…. Hum.. There are a lot of Captains in this blog, huh? I arrived at the dock prepared and met with the rest of the crew, which consisted of Captain Wasabi and his wife Captain Kristie “Mamasabi” Metcalf. Also aboard were Sandy Martin Layfield and Venessa. Captain Blackheart called a meeting before we left port explaining the hazards involved and how to handle them aboard Aurora. Safety issues. Very important on a boat indeed! Also discussed were the rules of engagement; what can and can’t be used as weapons. We arrived at the area where the battle was to take place (in front of Mallory Square) and eventually the other boats involved arrived as well, including USCG cutter Sawfish. We all did an inline parade past the dock at Mallory, then turned around. The Sawfish (the opposition) pulled up next to us and we opened up on each other. We had two very good, strong hoses. The Sawfish had at least six, maybe eight. It seemed like forever while the Sawfish and the CRS (Conch Republic Ship)Aurora were engaged, but we never gave up. At one point at least three of Sawfish’s hoses were trained specifically on me. After what seemed like an eternity, it got to the point that I couldn’t breathe and I handed my hose over to Captain Wasabi, who continued to fight on. Finally, other ships of the Conch Republic came and also took on the cutter. Meanwhile, from the air the cutter was bombed with toilet paper by the Conch Republic Air Force, while shore batteries of about five mortars and cannon blasted away with black powder. Eventually, after about an hour, the Sawfish retreated back to it’s dock at Trumbo Point and the Conch Republic Navy started hosing itself. I must say that the crewman on the Appledore was the one I had the most admiration for. They only had one weak hose and he attempted to give us a go with it. Wasabi and I both trained our hoses on him. The guy wouldn’t give up. He just stood there with his weak hose and we blasted him forever. Hats off to that “Never Say Die” Crewmember of the Appledore! In the end it was a great fight and we all ended up at Schooner Wharf at 7:30 for the surrender. On stage the Conch Republic Navy accepted the Sawfish’s surrender and invited the captain and crew to join the Conch Republic Navy, which they did. The only poor thing about it all was the sound system at the surrender ceremony. You couldn’t hear a thing they were saying. Sir Peter Anderson came across like a champion; however everyone else might as well have been speaking without a PA at all. You couldn’t hear a thing. I was going to video it, but it was useless. Later, my pals in “Captains of the Devil’s Triangle”got up to sing some pirate songs, and it was the same issue with them. Nonetheless, it was a great time indeed! A very big thanks to Balckheart Charlie and Rachel Siegel for having me as part of the crew! Long Live The Conch Republic! (Note: Because of the poor quality of this year’s ceremony I’m using the video from 2010 which is audible) Sunday was the Wrecker’s Race. Back aboard Transition, with Captain Larry and Michelle. This was the last of this year’s Wrecker’s Races, as they are held on the last Sundays of January, February, March, and April. We were in the January event, however with Larry and Michelle in the Bahamas in February and March, we kind of book eneded the event. What a great time, as always though! This time the sea was a bit rough. We also had some squalls around in the area, which Captain Larry expertly managed to avoid. Despite all the rough seas, no one fell overboard however! :-)On board Jeep Caillouet coined the word of the day: "Spinnaker". At the awards ceremony, the same issue plagued the those on stage as did the night before; You couldn’t hear anything. Someone seriously needs to tweek the mics for events like this at Schooner's. I'd be happy to lend a hand. Wrecker’s Race: KEY WEST SONGWRITER’S FEST The Key West Songwriter’s Festival starts on Wednesday, May 2 and runs through Sunday, May 6th. I’m thrilled to be in it and will be playing on stage with none other than Misty Loggins! We’ll hit the stage on Friday, May 4th at 1PM at the Best Western Key Ambassador , which is by the airport on S. Roosevelt. About 140 Songwriters, most of who are in from Nashville, will descend on Key West. The vast majority of gigs around town are free. Only the ones at The San Carlos Institute, The Tropic Cinema, The Studios of Key West, and the Sunset Sails are charge events. All of the rest are free! That’s over thirty locations, hosting multiple events each! This is the largest and most important musical event in Key West every year. Additionally, virtually every music exec, producer, promoter, and publisher based in Nashville will be in town along with the songwriters! It’s going to be a BLAST!!! Buckle your seatbelts! Check the link! http://www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com/ Key West Chris' music is available for download at iTunes,CD Baby,CD Universe, Rhapsody, Beachfront Radio, and for physical copy at Green World Gallery, The Cork and Stogie, and Key West Bait and Tackle

The Best Live Bar CD Ever Made, Keys Tranquility,Shot Doctor, Key West - World Economic Barometer??? ,

^Listen to Dildo Key (it’s a REAL Key! See note at end of this blog) by Key West Chris, Featuring Barry Cuda on piano^ In 1999 I was writing for a music magazine called “Southeast Performer” and I reported on the music happenings in South Florida. This included Broward, Dade, and Monroe Counties (Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and the Keys). I lived at that time in a town called Perrine, which became Palmetto Bay while I was there. It was fun reporting on the Keys, as it killed two birds with one stone: One was reporting and the other was the fabulous excuse of going to the Keys! The Keys weren’t that far either. Key Largo was only a 35 minute drive. Interestingly enough, I considered The Caribbean Club my local bar! To this day it ranks in my book as one of the top three bars in all of the world (there is no sole #1). I did several excursions to Key West, of course. After all, Key West is literally a music mecca for live music! How many times have I reported in this blog of friends visiting and being completely blown away about the live music scene here? It’s non-stop! . Well, I had come down to Key West in 1999 and caught Barry Cuda and the Sharks, who were playing at Sloppy Joe’s that day. Barry Cuda, “The Pianamal”, playing on his upright piano, complete with big rubber tires so he can roll it gig to gig, Steve Mello on drums, and Chief Billy on upright bass and harmonica. That was the Sharks. They had always been a favorite of mine down here. On this occasion however, they had just released a brand new live CD, “Fish Nuts”, recorded around the corner at B.O’s Fish Wagon by Dan Simpson. It goes without saying, I bought it. . After getting back home I popped it in the CD player (didn’t have one in the car back then) and immediately fell in love with it! Many people will rightfully say that The Allman Brothers Band’s Live at The Filmore East is the best live concert ever recorded in the history of Rock. It set entirely new standards on so many different levels. I will concur with them. However, what I found with Barry Cuda and the Sharks album “Fish Nuts”, back in 1999, was that this recording was the finest live bar album ever made. So, here we are in 2012, thirteen years later, and I can safely say that it remains the finest live BAR album ever made in the history of recording. Nothing comes remotely close. What makes “Fish Nuts” so exceptional is a combination of things. To begin with, it’s the band, of course. Barry Cuda and the Sharks were the ideal bar band to begin with. They were very, very good for starters, yet at the same time, quite loose. Literally anything could happen off the cuff, at one of their gigs! Secondly, the location, B.O.’s Fish Wagon, that ramshackle shack with a corrugated metal roof, no walls and lobster pots, fishing nets and marker buoys draping the place, is the ideal motif to set a backdrop for Barry Cuda and the Sharks loose cadence. Additionally, at B.O.’s there is no stage, per say. There’s a part of the joint (and a ”joint” is the best description of the place, if there ever was one) where the band sets up, however it’s right in the middle of the place with tables all around. The looseness of the place fit’s the looseness of the band. It’s very common to see a patron walk right past ‘Cuda and say something to him in the middle of a song. So the audience is a very active participant in any of Cuda’s gigs there, “Fish Nuts” being no exception and no doubt a key reason that recording came out so well. Several guest musicians sit in on various songs as well. As I stated thirteen years ago, if any performer wants to learn how to do a live bar gig, this is the example. Likewise, if anyone wants to have an example of what a real Keys gig is, this is it! I would play this CD at parties I threw and everyone there would always ask “What IS this??? This is fantastic!”. Barry Cuda has changed the name of the band to “Bong Hits For Geezers”, although they still use “Barry Cuda and the Sharks” for corporate gigs. Richard Crooks is now on drums and you’ll still find Chief Billy at some of the gigs as well. Kenny Fradley is there on Trumpet and Flugelhorn as well. Additionally, they play around town, but you can always catch them on Fridays at B.O.’s Fish Wagon, from 6- 9. Buy it at http://www.barrycuda.com/ “Barry Cuda and the Sharks – Fish Nuts – The best live bar album ever made in the history of recorded music, bar none!” KWCR The Shot Doctor, Scott Alan was in town for a few days and stayed at the place. We had a great time together and look forward to his return. His Shot Doctor was a major hit with the Spring Breakers, as you can imagine! I spent a couple of days at my friends, Rich and Cindi Hogan’s, up in Cudjoe Key, again this last week. Jeff Jackson and I drove up. It’s a completely different perspective there. The reality is, Key West is the big city as far as the Keys go anyway. I find it funny when I meet folks from out of town who say “It’s so laid back here!” referring to Key West. I suppose from their perspective it is. Hanging out with Rick and Cindi really is what I call “Keys laid back”. Everything is quiet, for one. Peace and tranquility abide on the other Keys. I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone coming to the Keys, to spend a day or two, at least in some of the other Keys. Additionally, every Key is different from the other and has it’s own personality. I keep talking about doing a bus tour of say 45 people, or so of the Keys stopping in maybe two Keys overnight on the way to Key West, a day or two here, then two more on the way back… Maybe three or four performers… Hummmm! Key West has been having a superb season this year. It was only this week that I actually passed a B&B that had a sign out that said “Vacancy”. It actually caught my eye. I mean, there was a vacancy sign! I haven’t seen that all season! The town’s been packed and everyone seems to be doing well because of it. Spring break just ended and that was bumper to bumper for the month of March. I’ve also had friends from out of town throughout the season calling to see if I knew of any hotels, B&Bs, ex. That had rooms available. With all the economic sad news we’ve been hearing, I’m hoping that Key West is a barometer for the coming year for the rest of the world. Imagine that, The Conch Republic being gauged as world barometer for the economic outlook. HA HA HA HA! Note on the song Dildo Key at the top of this week’s blog: I was looking at a soundings chart ( a road map for sailors) several years back of the upper Keys, when my eyes popped out. I cleared them, however I was still seeing the same thing. There, plain as day, six and a half miles south/south east of Flamingo was an island named “Dildo Key”… right next to it was.. Johnson Key..No fooling! Naturally, I had to write a song about it! I mean seriously, how couldn’t I? Here’s a copy of it, just so you know I’m not pulling your leg! Longitude: -80.8736809 Latitude: 25.0404059 Key West Chris' music is available for download at iTunes,CD Baby,CD Universe, Rhapsody, Beachfront Radio, and for physical copy at Green World Gallery, The Cork and Stogie, and Key West Bait and Tackle

Seaplanes!!!

^ "Seaplane" played at the Key West Songwriter's Festival^


I recall visiting Key West and when the American Eagle turbo props flew over, I would joke to my friends “Oh! That’s the plane from Lisbon”, a joking reference to the movie “Casablanca” where it was the quest of all in Casablanca to be on that plane. Of course, in Casablanca everyone wanted to be on the plane leaving, where in Key West, everyone wants to be on the plane arriving! That joke hasn’t worn out and I use it to this day, since I moved here. Oh sure, we can all arrive on a jet, but coming into a tropical island with the historic significance of Key West, it’s just so much more romantic to fly in on a prop plane! From Miami International Airport, the flight is just under an hour and the flight over the Keys is astronomically beautiful. I dare anyone to try counting the islands!

Regretfully however, American Eagle will no longer be flying their ATR 72 prop jets into Key West as of April 5th 2012 and have terminated their leases on them. This is a sad day both in aviation, as well as Key West. From now on, the basic connecting shuttle flights from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale will be conventional, commercial small jets.

The Chalk’s Airlines used to fly their seaplanes in from Miami’s Watson Island, on Biscayne Bay as well as also to the Bahamas, however that stopped when the company ceased operations a few years ago. It was a regretful point in history when the Gruman Mallard and Albatrosses of Chalk’s ceased their seaplane activity. Seaplanes would be a fantastic endeavor for a Key West shuttle airline, especially now with the economy on the upswing. Key West is having it’s strongest showing of visitors in years, btw!




Key West currently has a tour seaplane which goes to Ft. Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas. I have yet to go on this tour, however it certainly looks like a lot of fun!



For information on the flights check out:
http://keywestseaplanecharters.com/index.htm


There is an adequate market for air service throughout the Caribbean for a seaplane airline. Obviously we’re not talking about an economy flight, however the market is certainly there. This year Key West is having it's strongest year of tourists and visitors in years. In addition, Antilles Seaplanes, based in North Carolina, are now building brand new, completely updated versions of the Gruman G-21 Goose in turbo prop form, which they call The Antilles G-21 Super Goose. The basic overall design is identical to the original Gruman aircraft, albeit with modifications made over the years and state of the art aeronautics, and also the aforementioned turbo props which replace the radial piston engines. It covers all the bases as well. This is not a restored, or refurbished aircraft. What we're looking at is a classic design, yet at the same time a brand new aircraft which seats ten. This is clearly the ideal aircraft for the endeavor!



Of course Key West would also be the perfect place to base such an air service out of. With the rich history of the G-21 itself, basing it in a historic city only makes sense, especially with perfect access to the Caribbean. Again, speaking of history, let’s not forget that Pan Am started off in Key West with seaplane service to Havana. Their original building is on the corner of Whitehead and Caroline St. and today is Kelly’s Caribbean Restaurant and Brewery. And who knows? Maybe in the not too distant future air service for all can be resumed to Cuba?

For information on the Antilles G21 Super Goose, stop by their website:

http://www.antillesseaplanes.com/



All Photos of the Antilles G21 Super Goose curtisy of Antilles Seaplanes





Beautiful Artwork of the seaplane landing in Key West by David Harrison Wright

Be sure to check out his sight! http://davidharrisonwright.com/

Key West Chris' music is available for download at iTunes,CD Baby,CD Universe, Rhapsody, Beachfront Radio, and for physical copy at Green World Gallery, The Cork and Stogie, and Key West Bait and Tackle

Open Mics/Open Jams & Yea Mon Cruise lands in Key West

^Listen to the demo of “Titusville!”* while you read the blog!^
*BMI, McClure and Trowbridge Publishing, Nashville…. Acoustic and electric Guitars: Chris Rehm, vocals: Chris Rehm/Bass and Drums: Nick Jason. One day I’ll cut a proper version!

OPEN MICS/OPEN JAMS
A preface: Open Mics and Open Jams are two names for the same thing. The first one I attended was called an Open Mic, so for simplicities sake, I’ll use that term henceforth in the blog, though either is common and accepted.


Open Mics are one of the best ways to play music, have fun, and meet like-minded people. You don’t have to be a musician to go either. I recall back in 1995, I met my friend Charlie Rathburn, who was playing at a place in Miami called “Chubby’s Bar B Que”, right across the street from The Falls. It was a spur of the moment, and impulsive move. My cousin Joe”Joco/Jombo/”Connolly suggested we forsake our usual weekly spot and try something new, “Chubby’s”. Charlie was playing there and sat down next to us at the bar for his break. After finding out I was a guitar player, he suggested I come to the open mic they had there on Tuesday nights by saying “Look, I don’t know how good you are, but I can promise you this: There will be people better than you and people worse than you. Nobody’s judging you, we’re all just having a good time”. Charlie was right too! I’ll be eternally grateful to him for that too. I ended up addicted to it and also ended up as lead guitarist in owner Glen Strong’s house band “The Chubby’s Bar B. Qued Band”… without doubt, one of the most insane, off the wall country bands that ever existed! A few weeks after that, I was invited to play in Deny Rowand’s fabulous band, “Outa D’ Blues”, which worked out fantastic, as the two bands played on different nights! I wouldn’t have been in those bands, or gotten back into music if it wasn’t for Charlie convincing me to go to that open mic. Additionally, because of going to that open mic, I also got back into songwriting and completed my first song in years, “Titusville”, which begot me a publishing deal in Nashville. BTW, the most famous open mic is in Nashville, at a little place called “The Bluebird Café”. A LOT of Country artists were discovered there.

From that point on, I searched out open mics. I’ve gained lifelong friends for which I’m eternally blessed. Half the people were musicians and the other half people who loved music. Every open mic is different too. I attended two in Tampa, yeas back. One was in a quiet, little coffee house, where everyone sat on couches to listen and play soft acoustic. The other was in a bar called The Corsair. It had a lingerie show beforehand and had a fantastic blues band that backed up whoever was on stage for the open mic.


When I first came to Key West four years ago, naturally I searched the Open Mics out. Having found a few that died out pretty quickly, I heard about one just starting up at Harpoon Harry’s on Monday nights. It was run by Easy Ed and was a great time… and still is, though Easy Ed stepped aside maybe nine months ago. Harpoon Harry’s is on Caroline Street, across from the Waterfront Markey/Brewery. The food is suicide at night. Completely unhealthy stuff.. (Breakfast and lunch are great though!!!).. to the point that one performer actually wrote a hysterical song “They’re Trying To Kill Me Down At Harpoon Harry’s Bar”. On top of that, their TV’s always have on Fox with commentators like Bill O’Reilly. Imagine the political mindset of A) Key West and B) Songwriters and musicians… and they have Bill O’Reilly on??? Go figure? They’d be much better running cartoons! Seriously. Their saving grace however, is that they have a good staff and the open mic is fantastic, plus they have a full bar. In the first two years, they had someone new stop by and play every week. Some were traveling through, others just stopping by to play. Sometimes people will sit in with the players, other times they won’t. The musicians and staff create a great atmosphere and it’s always a great time. This open mic has a signup list and starts at 7 and goes to 10 every Monday evening.


Local performers Larry Baeder and Dora Gholson started their open mic on the rooftop bar of The Rum Barrel, on Front Street about a year ago. Theirs is the type where, for the most part, players have various musicians sit in on their set. You might go one night and have a bass player, keyboards, and a trumpet and the following week you might have a sax player. Larry’s always there to help out on guitar as well … and Larry’s been around the country for thirty years playing with everyone! The Rum Barrel has great food and a full bar as well. Larry and Dora kick it off at 7 and it goes until about 11, sometimes later. Great times on the rooftop of the Rum Barrel Thursday nights! No sign up list, just touch base with Larry. He’s really good at knowing who’s there and getting people up.


“Popeye” Dan Cunard just started an open Jam at Bobalu’s, on Southard St., right next to The Green Parrot. Thus far they’ve only had two, but it’s been a great success in the early going. Popeye’s is on Tuesday’s and starts at 7 and goes until 11. Check with Popeye when you get there so you can play. Great time, great atmosphere.


Like anything in the music/bar business, when the first gig is played, the time clock starts ticking. Sooner or later it ends. Some end sooner than later. I recall one that was on here, the guy who ran it didn’t have a signup sheet, couldn’t keep track of who came in, and if his friends came in, he’d scoot them in in front of everyone else who were waiting.. and buying drinks and meals waiting to play. He couldn’t figure out why people were getting upset. Nice guy and a great player, just organizing an open mic really isn’t his forte. That fell by the wayside.
Someone mentioned that there is another starting at Grunts, just off Whithead on Caroline St. Haven’t heard much more about it yet however.


There used to be an open mic at Sippin’, a coffee shop on Eaton St, just west of Duval on Sunday nights. It was acoustic based and also had poetry reading. It’s been a while since I was there, so I’m not certain if it’s still up.

BEACHFRONT RADIO’S “YEA MON CRUISE 2012”
I was fortunate enough to be involved in the Beachfront Radio’s Yea Mon Cruise 2012, when it made Key West it’s port of call! The cruise ship rolled into Key West from Ft. Lauderdale at 8am and my gig was at Artist Koz’ Green World Gallery at 712 Duval, for the kick off! What a great time! Artist Koz, quite often has musical artists play at his gallery and I’ve been fortunate enough to have played there before! This was a bit different, as it was a morning gig and cruise that Beachfront Radio had rolled into its first stop, Key West, Monday morning. A good amount of folks from the cruise headed to Green World Gallery, right off the ship! We had a great time at Green World Gallery. I played for over an hour then was relieved by Gary Phillips, then after that by Jimmy Jr. Hal, and Mark of Jimmy and the Parrots, who were the host band on the cruise. After that, everyone headed up to Smokin’ Tuna, where Jimmy and the Parrots (This time including Jimmy Sr.) took the stage. They also had Howard Livingston on the bill as well… towards the end I was up with all of them singing Jimmy Buffett songs, as well as Marshall Tucker’s “Can’t You See?”. A great time was had by all and a big thanks to Artist Koz, and his wife Pam Campbell of Green World Gallery, Captain Cali and Jeff Allen, of Beachfront Radio, Jimmy and the Parrots, Howard and Cindy Livingston, and Charlie Bauer of Smokin’ Tuna.

ILL HEALTH, HELICOPTER RIDE, KEYS OFF KEY WEST, THE BAR CARD, AND A SONG TAKING OFF!

^listen to Misty Loggins singing Island Blue while you read the blog!^

ILL HEALTH, HELICOPTER RIDE, KEYS OFF KEY WEST, THE BAR CARD, AND A SONG TAKING OFF!

Hey everyone! Been away from the blog for February, so I apologize! I had a fun helicopter ride to Miami and a day and a half stay at the hospital. Regretfully, they didn’t stay to fly me home, but my friend George Ardito drove me from Miami Beach to the Caribbean Club in Key Largo, where my friend Cindi Hogan picked me up and drove me to her and her husband Rick’s place in Cudjoe Key. I spent the rest of the weekend there with the two of them and a pack of dogs, which now also compromised of Cajun and Tooloulou, whom Cindi took care of while I was away. Big thank you to them for that and also to my friend Nina Locardi, who drove up from Key Large (100 miles) to rescue them and bring them to Cindi and Rick’s.

It was a good opportunity to get out of Key West and see some of the other Keys. A funny thing about the keys is that if you’re only five miles from Mile Zero, on Stock Island, or 107 miles up at Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo, if you’re going “into town”, you’re going to Key West. Mind you, there are towns in the Keys, such as, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Sugarloaf… ex., However, while there are these towns which are indeed incorporated towns, none have a “town”, per say. Yes, they have a stretch of commerce along Overseas Highway, but no real downtown areas.
Key West is the downtown of the Keys. Having said that, getting off of Key West and getting to some of the other Keys, is a true pleasure. For Conch Republic residents, Key West is the hustle and bustle. Get out of Key West and it’s the true definition of the term “Laid Back”. In Key West, everybody’s doing something. Going to the Southernmost Point, Bar Hopping, taking a Conch Train or a Trolley tour, sightseeing.. ex.

On the other Keys it’s just … quiet, peaceful, and tranquil. When Cindi stopped at the Caribbean Club to pick me up, I had been there for a few hours. Just hanging out I got to see the flock of wild parrots, Conyers I believe them to be, that stop by late in the afternoon. I gazed out at the dock, where generations of docks ago, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall became friendly while filming the movie “Key Largo”. The dock sits in Blackwater Sound, where you will see the most outstanding sunsets.

Waking up the next morning in Cudjoe was a different world from Key West. There was not a sound around. The dock was peaceful and the water of Cudjoe Bay was tranquil. I couldn’t help but admire life off of Key West in the Keys. The thought of organizing a bus tour of the Keys came back into my brain. It’s one I’ve had before. A tour that would take a group of folks up the Keys from Key Largo to Key West, stopping at maybe two or three stops along the way, for an overnight stay, live music, good food, and a great time. It seriously would be worth it!

Michelle Dougan and Larry Poff stopped by Cindi and Rick’s on Saturday evening and Rick had a bonfire party! A fantastic dinner was cooked by Rick and Michelle cut my hair… which was way overdue. Later, I fell asleep and Cindi dressed me up in scallop shell bra, a silly cowboy hat and a shamrock on my crotch..and took a picture.. naturally! Who wouldn’t? HA HA HA!

On the music front, I’m thrilled to announce that my single “Island Blue”, sung by the marvelous Misty Loggins, hit #1 for the week last week at Island Dreamz, up in NewYork!!!! What a thrill! Thanks to all of the listeners there and Big Ed!

http://radiojimmydreamz.com/

Additionally, the song is getting lots of air time with Trop Rock 1290 up in the Florida Panhandle. A Big thanks to them and Steven Youngblood.

http://www.troprock1290.com/TROPROCK%20HOME.html

Island Time Radio, up in northern Ohio has likewise had it on their play list.. Thanks to Dennis King (DK) and Amo Bennet!

Radio Gruenstadt, in Gruenstadt, Germany is also it! :-O

And finally, Beachfront Radio has also been airing it as well! Being as the song will be on the next CD of mine, “All the Best from Key West” and that’s a bit off time wise, we’re making the song available on Beachfront’s music hut shortly. It will be originally either as a single at $.99 or together with “Shanghai’d and Marooned in Key West (Things Could Be Worse)”. Thanks Jeff and Captain Cali!

http://beachfrontradio.com/home.cfm

By the way, that's Misty on the cover shot for the blog, up top!

Life is good and getting better!

KEY WEST BAR CARD
Anyone traveling to Key West specifically should really look into the Key West Bar Card and the Key West Restaurant Card. The Bar card cost is $20 and will give you buy one drink get the second one free at a rate of one use per hour. With that in mind, the card will pay for itself in the first day at the rate people in Key West drink! There are eleven bars that participate in the program:
Schooner Wharf, Blue Mojito@ Hyatt Resort, 801 Bourbon Bar, The Bottlecap and Groove Lounge, The Stoned Crab, JDL’s Big Ten Pub, Pearl’s Patio, The Rooftop Café, Aqua, Sweet Tea’s, and McConnell’s. This is good for the card holder only, so if you are traveling with friends, they have to likewise get their own card. The Key West Bar Card runs from January 1st 2012 to December 31st, 2012.

KEY WEST RESTAURANT CARD
The Key West Restaurant Card works along a similar idea, however the execution is a bit different on both ends. The Restaurant Card will give you 10% off your meal and will set you back $10, which covers you from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2012. Participating Restaurants are: Hogfish Bar & Grill, Santiago’s Bodega, The Roof Top Café, Mangia Mangia, Harbourview Café at the Pierhouse, Camille’s, JDL’s Big Ten Pub, The Creperie, Flaming Bouy Filet Co., The Stoned Crab, Bobalu’s, D.J.’s Clam Shack, and Croisants de France.

The Website below will tell you the many places the cards can be obtained.

http://www.keywestbarcard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Key-West-Bar-Card/226113043337