The Survivors, Key West
As long-time readers will know, Debbie and I moved to Key West around 30 years ago. One of the highlights of our time here has been the live music scene in town. In The Keys News, Ralph Depalma calls the live music scene in Key West one of America’s best-kept secrets. He also discusses the many “old guard” musicians who have passed away, leaving a void for talented new musicians to fill. I knew many of these fine musicians well, and we hired a number of them to play at both Matt and Becky’s weddings in Key West. I can even remember helping Cuda start his IRA when he was still a Friday night fixture at B.O.’s Fish Wagon, which is owned by another good friend of ours. Depalma writes:
During the early years of rock ‘n’ roll, music artists became overnight sensations and made money beyond their wildest dreams. Today, that doesn’t seem to be happen as often.
Thankfully, one area of the music business that is alive and well is live music. Live performances in clubs, theaters, or large venues is healthy, fresh and attracting new talent. The musicians and vocalists always get paid. Maybe not beyond their wildest dreams, but many are able to make a good living doing what they love.
Not every town or city has the benefit of a thriving live music scene. Few other cities can boast one of the best-kept live music secrets in the country — Key West.
A tiny 2-mile by 4-mile island in the American Caribbean that hosts more than 50 venues for live music and at least 17,000 live performances annually. The number is very conservative, as many venues do not even publish a music schedule to count. The number does not include private parties and weddings.
Musicians of all stripes can make a living playing music for an audience that includes 1 million tourists annually. There are second and third generations of musicians living in Key West. Music thrives here.
Over the past decade, many Key West musicians have moved on or passed away. A new group of musicians has moved into town, and some others have moved up in stature to fill the voids.
For the past four decades, names like Coffee Butler, Bill Blue, Mike Gillis, Harry Chipchase, Edwar Weech, Buddy Chavez, Richard Crooks, Franko Richmond and Paul Cotton have been the music leaders, but all have passed on.
Other Key West pillars of the music scene like Dan Simpson and Melody Cooper, Din Allen, Barry Cuda, Michael McCloud, Deb Hudson, Harry Schroeder, Vicki Roush, Chris Case, Bobby Nesbitt, Laura Black and Russ Scavelli, Richie Ciavolino, Terry Cassidy, the Carter Brothers, Chris Burchard, and others have either left Key West or retired.
These music artists have left a gaping hole in the Key West entertainment repertoire. Coffee’s magic is no longer. Bill Blue’s soundchecks are sorely missed. George Victory’s booming vocals are no longer heard, no one sees Cuda pushing a 400-pound piano down the streets. Bobby Nesbitt isn’t playing old jazz standards with Leonard Bernstein sitting on his piano bench. Terry Cassidy’s banjo is missed. Recently, Michael McCloud’s unique vocals and music blends are no more.
Read more here.
If you’re willing to fight for Main Street America, click here to sign up for my free weekly email.
