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| Cheryl Housman and I at T's Bistro & Bar |
With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast, my AirTran flight out of BWI on Tuesday, October 30th was in jeopardy. I panicked (a lot) and finally got it backed up to Sunday morning. Things were also a bit touchy as my grandfather was ill and in the hospital. I ended up cancelling a gig, which I still feel bad about, but I was in a really tough place at the time. (Grand Dad did recover and is home now, by the way.) Luckily, everything worked out for an on-time take-off and, Sunday afternoon, I landed in Ft. Lauderdale, packed the guitar and luggage in the Chevy rental and headed down the Florida Turnpike to Route 1 and Key Largo.
A quick primer for those who don't know what Meeting of the Minds is: MOTM is generally at the beginning of November, following Fantasy Fest in Key West, and has been going on for 21 years. MOTM is a celebration of all things "Parrot Head," the name given to fans of all things Jimmy Buffett. The reason I go, besides the fact that I get to spend a glorious week in the Conch Republic, is that, as a "trop rock" musician, this is the best place and time for me to show up and play my music. Many parrot heads are eager for trop rock music and "phlock" to MOTM to see their favorites and check out new acts. This was my second year playing at MOTM.
I finally arrived in Key Largo and met my friends Steve and Janene at the Big Chill Grill, next door the famous Caribbean Club where they shot some scenes from the movie Key Largo. I was excited to meet other parrot heads, new friends and not-so-new friends, in the bar, who were down for the event as well. After a few drinks and lots of laughs I followed Steve and Janene Buenzow to the Key Largo Boatel to crash on one of their spare beds. The Boatel is a series of house boats held together to by a rigging of PVC pipes. Essentially, you're sleeping on the water but the boats don't go anywhere.
I woke early, very early, anticipating the exciting day ahead. It was so early, the sun wasn't even up. I crawled through the window to the deck and watched the sun rise.
Steve and Janene joined me for the spectacle, then we had a fine breakfast at the Hiddenout Cafe right behind across from the Boatel office.After a little sun and kayaking, we got ready and headed to the Pirates on the Water Pit Stop Party at MM101.
The Pit Stop Party is two days of food, frivolity and trop rock music. It's a great place to take a break, meet lots of fun folks and get a sample of the Pusser's Rum Pain Killer. Hosted by David Kay and MC'd by Captain Josh Ramesteck, the music runs almost non-stop. Around noon, Captain Josh strummed the first notes and got the party started. I was up after him and had a good set and was followed by my tall friend, singer/songwriter Loren Davidson of California and the very talented Sam Rainwater. I met quite a few musicians including Charlie Imes and Rick Schettino who were performing together as a duo. It was a wonderful time and I wish I could have stayed, but I had to get my rental car back to the airport in Key West. I took my time and enjoyed the drive to the town at end of the road. As I passed Duck Key I realized that was where I had taken the photo that would become my CD cover. I was feeling a bit tired but pretty good.
In Key West I caught up with Key West Chris Rehm, whom I had met in June at Meet Me in the Keys, and we headed to the Rum Barrel for Loren Davidson's show. Loren had departed the Pit Stop Party before me so he could make his nighttime gig there. We played during Loren's breaks and enjoyed the company of Tony Zeccola, Pepper Liner and Dianne "Greenwoman" Wickes, among others. By the time we left the Rum Barrel and headed toward Duval, the combination of high tide, a full moon and the back surge from the hurricane had flooded Front Street up to my ankles. It was a curious sight.
Tuesday was my fun day and I wandered wherever I pleased, I found Maui Deb and Mike Mangum near Pepe's and we walked a short distance to a rental house to hang out with more friends including Tamara "Tonga Tam" Dower, Chris Lang, Glenda "Gypsy Soul" Sprague and others by the pool. Not much later Swim Skinny and Tom Johnson dropped by, starting off a fun jam session. This was to be the most relaxing day of the rest of my week. I capped off the day by going to the Conch Republic Seafood Company to hear James "Sunny Jim" White do his thing.
To be continued…
NEXT UP: The Madness Begins
