Parrothead Ramblings

Kelly McGuire performs at The Lighthouse Court, Key West. Catch him at Phins To The West in May!

WOW!

That's all I can say after looking at the entertainment lineup for this year's Phins To The West. I've been to both previous PTTW events, and this is the best entertainment lineup yet, without question. Hell, if you take out the Coral Reefers, this lineup is every bit as good as this past year's Meeting of The Minds. And I ain't making this shit up!

The last I heard a few months back, The Boat Drunks were booked elsewhere. Now, that really bummed me, because The Drunks are, in your humble Crime Dog's opinion, the absolute best Buffett cover band on the planet. Add their original music (found on the album This Ain't Duval Street) and you got a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline, and they'll rock your ass right into the dance floor doing it. Well, they're back in the lineup! If I wavered at all on attending PTTW, seeing The Boat Drunks on the dance card ended that. They're working on a new album, and with any luck, maybe we'll get a chance to hear some of their new stuff.

My man Coconut Bob Karwin is opening up this shindig poolside on Thursday night, which means I now have to ditch work Thursday afternoon to get there on time. Damn. I hate when that happens. Bob, I know you're reading this. I'm gonna be there. Didn't you say something about buying me a beer?

I had the opportunity to hear some great music and meet some fantastic artists while conchy tonkin' at Meeting of the Minds last year. One of those guys was Kelly McGuire, whose
original work is off-the-charts good. He was the hidden gem of MOTM. You ain't lived till you've heard Kelly perform Turn Around and Run live. And the ladies will tell you he's easy on the eyes.

Of course, those southern California staples, Stars On The Water, will be there on Friday night. It just wouldn't be Phins without them, and those medleys they play will keep you on the dance floor for like a week at a time. This helps sweat out the alcohol, so it can be conclusively stated that Stars On The Water is good for you, an integral part of any healthy Parrothead's diet. Note to TFMCD, I promise to try and stay sober enough to see the whole show this time. I said try. Just keep Queen Sandi and that little water bottle from Hell away from me.

You can't ask for better poolside entertainment than the likes of Gary Seiler, Jim Hoehn, and Rob Mehl. I've seen Gary and Jim a number of times and never left disappointed. I finally got the chance to meet Rob and his blue guitar at that same Lighthouse show with Kelly in Key West. Not only does he have some great sounds, but he's also a genuinely approachable, nice guy. Just like the rest of them.

And, with any luck, the later date this year will mean the damn pool will be a little warmer.


I'd love to tell you all about Texas trop-rockers Hannah's Reef, but I've never heard them. Take a trip on over to their website, and you'll find several songs there you can download and test drive. They sound great, so I've ordered their CD Deja View. If I like it, you'll read it here first!

Anyway, run, don't walk, over to the Phins To The West website and sign up. Where else do you get this kind of package for this kind of price?

Are we there yet?
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