Green Parrot Bar No Snivelling Zone

The State of the Parrot

2012-05-25T14:55:00.001-05:00

It's been a year since Pat Croce and I forged our new partnership at The Green Parrot and I'd like to report that The State of The Parrot is Good.

I think folks' greatest fear--change--has been put to rest. As we used to say back in the '60s, "Things are more like they are now than they have ever been before."

In years past, I was never one to get up close and personal with a camera, but this past year, among other things, Pat has helped me come out of my shell a bit, and it's been a good thing, and I think this recent Key TV video reflects that.

Pat's an easy-to-be-around, half-full kind of guy and that's contagious. I think that's why I kind of forgot the Key TV camera was even rolling. Pat gets me thinking about all the things I love about the Parrot and makes me just want to spread the word.

It might be part of me rediscovering my roots, you know Pat and I practically hung out on the same corner in Philly (hanging on the corner is considered a high art form in Philly) or maybe it's that our Parrot partnership has given us a common goal and that we share the same core values, but with a year under our belts I've never felt more comfortable personally.

As a result, our bar seems to be hitting on all cylinders and I think it's safe to say the transaction that went down last May has proved to be a good one for me, The Parrot, and its patrons.

For patrons, you see the same great staff, beer's never been colder (thanks, Buco), still the best music in town, or anywhere for that matter, (you never know if it will be funk, rock, or reggae but you know it will be good), and most importantly, the same fan base in the friendly confines, that's you, the customers I'm talking about (from "the street to the elite" as Pat says). It's you that continue to make the Parrot what it is, and we never want that to change.

Without your continued patronage, your congeniality, your sense of humor that gets us through the rough spots, and the passion and enthusiasm you bring with you that keeps our goal one of constant improvement, we might as well fold up the tent and head the wrong way down Southard.

Soul Rebels from NOLA

2012-05-22T00:56:00.003-05:00

The Soul Rebels from New Orleans burned down the house last night. It was a Monday Night Dance Party, Love-In, Sonic-Beacon that rocked The Parrot like it ain't been rocked in awhile!

"The Missing Link Between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong"
They will be back tomorrow, Tuesday, with sets at 5:30 and 10 PM. We urge you not to miss it.

More Ford commercial night

2012-05-18T23:55:00.003-05:00

Coast2Coast Ford Focus Commercial

2012-05-16T23:27:00.003-05:00

The Monophonics

2012-05-13T00:38:00.001-05:00

London Souls

2012-05-11T00:05:00.001-05:00

Michael Burks

2012-05-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

The Alligator Records announcement of Michael Burks' death

Bluesman Michael Burks 1957-2012

2012-05-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

Michael Burks, once billed as the future of electric blues passed away yesterday from an apparant heart attack at the age of 54. An imposing figure onstage with lightning in his hands, Burks was a man of few words offstage, meticulous with his sound and protective of his band and appeared at The Parrot several times over the past 10 years. Born in Milwaukee but a longtime Arkansas resident, see his obit in the Fayetteville Flyer here.

Billed as the future of that genre, Michael Burks puts on a clinic in electric blues for the Parrot crowd on a Sunday night in 2005
(photo credits Tony Gregory)

London Souls Invade Parrot

2012-05-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

Representing a rock tradition, rock's most elemental line-up, the power trio The London Souls return to the Green Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, May 9th and 5:30 and 10 on Thursday, May 1oth.

Built on roaring chords and flashy solos on guitar, insistent drumming and straight-ahead vocals, The London Souls wear their influences on their sleeve, inspired by classic power trios such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience and Blue Cheer.

The name the London Souls is a tribute to the power groups like Cream, the Hendrix band, the Who and Zeppelin that were based in the British capital.

Spotlighted by MTV, Rolling Stone, Relix and The Wall Street Journal, among others, the band’s celebrated sound had been a best-kept secret among New York City concertgoers since the band’s formation in 2008. With a fervent and dynamic fan base thanks to their consistently impassioned, explosive live performances, The London Souls’ unique reinterpretation of hard-hitting rock n roll recalls elements of the past with a boundless energy that will hypnotize and amaze providing the perfect combination of hit singles, musicianship and live energy.

Consisting of Tash Neal on guitar and lead vocals, Kiyoshi Matsuyama on bass and vocals, and Chris St. Hilaire on drums and vocals,

Larry Baeder and Friends Offer Green Parrot Tribute to Robert Johnson

2012-05-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

Robert Johnson Mural on Parrot Door

Chief Billy Ochoa opens last year's show

Last Year's Cake

The Green Parrot will celebrate the 101 birthday of seminal delta bluesman Robert Johnson on Tuesday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. The Tribute, hosted by Larry Baeder, who’ll be accompanied by drummer Richard Crooks and bassist Francois Gehin, will include several key west musicians offering renditions of Robert Johnson songs.

Robert Johnson died at 27 in August 1938—an itinerant blues musician in the Mississippi Delta whose passing merited scant notice locally, much less worldwide. He left a sparse recorded history of 29 songs, and only a half-dozen scratchy 78-rpm discs were released during his lifetime.

He has since become known as the King of the Delta Blues Singers, his music expanding in influence to the point that rock stars of the greatest magnitude – the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers – all sing his praise and have recorded his songs.

Thousands of music fans, who’ve come to love Johnson's music as played by their rock and blues heroes have bought into the Faustian mythology that surrounds his short life and strange death: According to the myth, Johnsonobtained his amazing guitar skills by selling his soul to the Devil.

Headliners Blow The Room Away...

2012-05-05T20:18:00.002-05:00

With a raucous near-two hour set that belied the collective age of those on stage The World Famous Headliners treated Parrot regulars and out-of-town songwriter-types to a blend of everything from stomping rockabilly to honky tonk, barroom weepers and modern country barn-burners all the while delivering cliche-free, hook-filled lyrics that made you shake your head in a I-been-there-brother-sort of way.
As individual songwriters, The World Famous Headliners create Nashville's heart and soul. After all, they've supplied shooting stars like Trisha Yearwood ("Powerful Thing"), Garth Brooks ("Two Pina Coladas"), Don Williams ("Send Her Roses") and countless others with hits a generation deep. Now, they're stepping into their own spotlight. The World Famous Headliners - Music City's premier songwriting think tank led by Al Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin - are currently finishing their first album together with stunning results. "Pat may be the best vocalist I've ever been around," Camp says, "and Al is a mind-blowing guitarist."

Big Al Anderson and our own Will Thompson

Anderson's innovative guitar work has long fortified his reputation as one of Nashville's finest tunesmiths.
In fact, "Big Al" entered consciousness with rock fans long before he popped up on country charts. The 63-year-old started with the The Wilweeds (1967's "No Good to Cry") and for nearly a quarter century fueled the beloved cult band NRBQ. In 1993, the year Anderson exited NRBQ to focus on sobriety and songwriting, Musician magazine recognized him as one of the century's Top 100 guitarists. Clearly, the move away from NRBQ paid creative dividends: Anderson earned the BMI Writer of the Year award in 2000.
At 44, youngest Headliner Shawn Camp already has made his own significant impact on mainstream country charts.

The World Famous Headliners gave a jaw-dropping, electrifying performance last night

"Shawn sings, plays and writes up there in the fine, rarified air where very few can breathe," Clark says. The accomplished instrumentalist, who has accompanied luminaries including the Osborne Brothers and John Prine, frequently backs seamless lyrics with his fiery fiddle, guitar and mandolin riffs.

Derby Day at The Parrot

2012-05-05T19:30:00.003-05:00

Derby Day at The Parrot

Mint Juleps

All Lew needs is the Racing Form Sticking out of his pocket

Post Time

Damon Fowler's Soundcheck performance at The Key West Songwriter's Festival

2012-05-04T21:25:00.002-05:00

Damon Fowler at Key West Songwriters Festival Green Parrot Soundcheck Edition

Damon tore it up.

with lap steel guitar and slide

Green Parrot Uke Out This Wednesday, May 2nd at 8 PM

2012-05-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

"In terms of improving one's mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun."- Louden Wainright III

The Green Parrot Ukulele Associatrion will hold it's AprilMeeting on Wednesday, May 2nd, beginning at 8 PM.

Following the same format as our previous well-attended, high-spirited shindigs, the meeting will begin with a Workshop at 8 p.m. for those just starting out on the instrument. Basic instruction and chord and song sheets will be provided.

It is obvious from previous months attendance that there is a serious Key West ukulele scene simmering just below the surface,” said John Vagnoni, Green Parrot manager. “We also see this as a unique way for Key Westers to meet people and make music at the same time."

So dig out that old ukulele from your attic or closet and strum your way into a four-string stupor at Green Parrot Ukulele Night, Key West's only ukulele-powered jam session.

Come to just listen or join in. All levels are welcome and remember, spare ukes are often available and instruction is always there for the asking from other members.

The Green Parrot is your Southernmost Center for Uke Culture of every kind, and is located at the corner of Whitehead and Southard streets. For additional information call The Green Parrot at 305-294-6133.

Never Forget

2012-04-26T19:49:00.000-05:00

Although to some the memory of last weeks' invasion of smirk's personal space seems to have faded, we must be ever-vigilant and ask ourselves, how do we prevent acts like this in the future?

Bulletproof glass like the Mona Lisa, a web of laser beams like Topkapi, a moat perhaps?

Perhaps a super elite/Delta Force to complement the Dance Instructors?

The Pope has The Swiss Guards.

With those suits, we'd need people to protect them.

The Queen's Beefeater?
Not very tropical.

Secret Service?

Couldn't keep them in hookers.

Here's what we came up with.

The New Order of Smirk Royal Guards.

Here's our first two members.

Panther-quick and leather-tough (no wait, that was Johnny Yuma), this crack unit of highly-trained volunteers will provide a round-the-clock presence to insure that the events of last Saturday night will never be repeated.

Smirk Bombed by Cultural Terrorists, Bounces Back.

2012-04-24T07:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening Smirk, arguably the most widely recognized and beloved face of The Parrot was defaced by cultural terrorists.

Apparantly using Sharpies comandeered from a nearby table where the Conch Republic Foster Childrens Fund had set up shop for a fundraiser, two still-to-be-identified women handed the Sharpies out to unwitting tourists crowded in the bar beneath Smirk.

Using clueless tourists as their agents, the two women prodded folks to get in on the fun, and assured them that it was an acceptable Green Parrot tradition.

In an instant the damage was done.

For the first time in his 37 years, Smirk had been bombed.

Although a few of the taggers were identified and detained, police determined that the real culprits in this tragedy were the two women who instigated the attack and subsequently slipped away, and not the guileless foils who bought into the plan, shitheads though they were.

By Sunday morning thoughts of reprisal had shifted to thoughts of restoration.

Before the bar had even opened, Buco had taken the shutter down and was carefully planning Smirk's restoraration.

For Buco, The Sistine Chapel derserved no less attention.

Slowly and with great deliberation he began to remove all offending monograms.

By late afternoon the painstaking procedure was completed and Smirk was resting comfortably in the dappled shade of a gumbo limbo tree out back.

After Sunday soundcheck, when the crowd had thinned, and less than twenty-four hours after the desecration, Buco had hung him back up, looking none the worse for wear.

The take-away for me here seems to be that no matter how hard we try to control everything, we cannot.

So the lesson learned is rooted not so much in events that happen to us but rather how we respond to those events.

It's about resiliancy.

I was impresessed by the intensity and sheer volume of the response our patrons showed both in person and online.

The the outpouring of support and the understandable anger (facebook comments were of the pitchfork-and-torch variety) from Parrot patrons everywhere is appreciated.

You all let us know you cared and that helped. You showed a real sense of ownership of this dive and that helped.

Also to our credit was the staff reaction following the incident. All the suspects were treated respectfully, again, shitheads though they were.

Thanks to everyone for your heartfelt response.

And thanks of course to Buco who once again stepped into the breech unhesitatingly and made things right. As I overhead Will, one of our regulars, say, "If I ever have kindey failure, I'm callin' Buco".

Life goes on.

Music Man Murray

2012-04-21T18:36:00.004-05:00

For those looking to bulk up their vinyl collection...call Murray.

Read the NPR story here.

An Homage to Records and Rogues on National Record Store Day

2012-04-21T02:47:00.001-05:00

Today record shops across the country observed the sixth annual nationwide celebration of in-person commerce known as National Record Store Day. Organized by coalitions of independent record stores, many record labels use the occasion to release collectible vinyl, limited-edition CDs and live material.

As a kind of footnote to that blurb:
Pictured above is Records and Rogues, late of Truman Avenue here in Key West, Marty and Dana's Vinyl Empoium, Musicians Exchange, Band Clearing House and sometimes-Green Room for Danny Simpson and Melody Cooper's Private Ear Studio, around back on Watson St.

Pictured here in an archival photo from the early eighties in front of Records and Rogues is Proprietor of Simpson Sound, Danny Simpson *(with fiddle) flanked by Survivors Quint Lange and Woody Allen

In addition to the large selection of LP's from popular genres, for those willing to mine the stacks there were dozens of hard-to-find collector's items, many not even released in the U.S. In addition to a strong local following lured by the thrift aspect as well as the variety, I recall many visiting bands, Paul Cebar in particular, high-tailing it over there the first chance they got to see what may have come in since their last Key West gig, and shoot the shit with the boys.

All this got me thinking about some of the vinyl I've been hoarding, so I pulled a dozen or so LP's off the top of the pile I have stashed in the back bedroom and spread them out on the kitchen counter in no particular order, chronological or otherwise.

Top row, left to right, is The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Amazing Rhytmn Aces To Stuffed to Jump, A Dave Brubeck Greatest Hits, Peter, Paul and Mary Album 1700.

Second Row, Blonde on Blonde and On The Threshold of a Dream, Neil Diamond (ouch) anda British Robert Johnson Collection.

Third Row: Spam Allstars(a new release), Fairport Convention's Unhalfbricking, David Bromberg's Reckless Abandon, and Buffy St. Marie
Pictured above is a photo DJ LeSpam's turntable taken during one of his Spam Allstars gigs at The Parrot.
Pictured below is Andrew, DJ LeSpam, with his extensive vinyl collection behind him.

Saturday, April 16th is National Record Store Day Spokesperson Ozzy Osborne's comments here
Here's Time magazine's list of the ten best record stores in the U.S.

Record lovers and stores across South Florida are reveling on national Record Store Day, the day when record stores celebrate their existence and offer exclusive and special-edition vinyl albums for sale.
The original idea for Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, and was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.
Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances.
Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.
Like book stores, record stores are suffering drops in sales as consumers move to new technologies. But new technology doesn’t always mean the best technology. An album on MP3 may not sound as good as one from a record, given that the record is in tip top condition.
But Florida music lovers rejoice, there are still a number of record stores out there. And some will be offering special album releases from the Flaming Lips, White Stripes, Nirvana, Big Star and Beastie Boys, according to USA Today.

Here are some of the record stores in South Florida that are participating in Record Store Day:
Yesterday and Today Store in Miami
Sweat Records in Miami
Yesterday and Today Records in Miami
Uncle Sam’s in Miami Beach
Selected Records In Miami
Radio-Active Records in Fort Lauderdale
Kelly’s Klassics in Ft. Lauderdale
VP Records Retail in Miramar
We-Got-The-Beats in Oakland Park
Music Movies and More in West Palm Beach

Some more of my vinyl.

Igor Asks....Are You Having Fun?

2012-04-18T23:28:00.005-05:00

Red Elvises back in the Parrot Wed-Thurs

2012-04-17T23:50:00.001-05:00

Red Elvises Fantasy Fest

Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock 'n Roll from Siberia

2012-04-17T22:41:00.003-05:00

Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock 'n Roll from Siberia

Famed Siberian surf rockers, The Red Elvises, roar back into The Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, April 18th and at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 19.

Promising two big nights of kick-ass rock 'n roll, Igor says they're ready to "blow the new awning right off the joint." Three bonafide Russians and a Texan form this indisputably unforgettable band that the Minneapolis Star Tribune described as a "Molotov cocktail of... rockabilly, surf, Tex-Mex, klezmer, swing, Slavic melodies, film scores, TV theme songs, Middle Eastern licks and gypsy scales."

This special blend of Russian and world ethnic music, reckless surf and rockabilly licks, and good old Rock 'n Roll can only lead to two wild nights of high-energy music. VH1 produced a documentary about the band and they've appeared in four feature movies.

The Green Parrot Bar is the Southernmost Center for Culture, at the corner of Southard and Whitehead Streets, and at www.greenparrot.com. For additional information, call 305-294-6133.

Newly-Arrived, Green Parrot Ale

2012-04-17T18:32:00.002-05:00

Here's our friends and long-time patrons Al from Melbourne, Florida and Dave from Chicago being the first customers to enjoy a Green Parrot Ale and both looking pretty pleased about it.

Green Parrot Ale, newly-arrived that day, is a craft beer brewed for us in New Hampshire

Spam Onstage Last Night

2012-04-15T02:10:00.022-05:00

Some Kindred Spirits of The Uke Kind

2012-04-07T15:51:00.010-05:00

This from The Mana Maddy home page:

A monthly ukulele mini-fest at Actual Cafe in Oakland/Emeryville, with group ukulele lesson, uke-centric performances and a love and beer-fueled singalong. Hosted by Mana Maddy

These folks at Actual Cafe's Monthly Ukulele Love-In in Oakland sure look like our kinda people.

This from their Facebook page:

"Ukuleles will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through time with no ukulele."

We shall gather in the friendly neighbourhood cafe setting of Oakleyville's ACTUAL CAFE on the 2nd SATURDAY of every month to...

(7-7:40) learn more about this fantastic little instrument with a group lesson from a guest teacher each month;
(7:45-9:00) enjoy feature performances 1 or 2 uke-centric performers;
(9-9:30) rejoice in group ukuleling with a big ol uke play and singalong and grow an Actual Ukulele Songbook.

**Featured performers: The Paper Dolls & Mandalyn May
**Guest teacher: Mike DaSilva (http://ukemaker.com/)

BRING:
~~Your heart
~~Ukuleles if you got em
~~$5-10 contribution to pay the featured performers and the guest teacher
~~Songs to add to the songbook - please keep songs to 2 single-sided pages maximum and be sure to include both lyrics & chords

NOTE: You do NOT need to be a ukulele player or even a ukulele enthusiast. But you may be when you leave the Ukulele Love-In. Come one, come all, have a beverage, enjoy the happiest sounding instrument to be made from some hardwood and nylon strings, and be merry!

March 10: Mana Maddy Band ~ lesson with Harry Bolles
April 14: Paper Dolls, Mandalyn May ~ lesson with Mike DaSilva
May 12: Justin & David Ancheta ~ lesson with the Anchetas
June 9: Tippy Canoe, CJ Alegre ~ lesson with Tippy Canoe
July 14 & beyond: tba

Here's another Uke Night, this time in San Antonio

Hot 8 Funks It Up at The Parrot

2012-04-05T23:48:00.005-05:00

For Koy

Hot 8 tore up the joint last night, I fully expect to find a crater on the corner this morning instead of a bar!

From covering Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing to drawing the whole room into a call and responce of Snoop Dog's "Yipee aye Yippe oh", to belting out New Orleans staples like "Feel Like Funkin' it Up" and Yes, even the "Saints" The Hot 8 took the Green Parrot lifted it up, spun it around and placed it right down squarely in New Orleans till each person in The Parrot felt they were themeselves leading The Zule Krewe in A Mardi Gras parade on Rampart Street