Talk Country To Em

May 1, 2011

Misty Loggins





Kristy Lee Cook

Talk Country To Em

Day three of this year’s Key West Songwriter’s Festival was yet another stellar one of incredible music and talent and us hopping about the island in a vain attempt to catch as many of the amazing shows at the many venues around the island.



Mike Willis



One of the strengths of the festival is the variety of types of venues that host performances. Each venue offers a unique opportunity to see totally different types of shows. From the laid back fun of the beach and pool shows, to the quiet acoustic theatre shows to the more raucous bar gigs to the full on concerts- there is something for everyone.



The first show I caught on day three was the poolside show at the Best Western Key Ambassador Hotel. Held during another perfect sunny Key West afternoon, this new venue offered me a chance to see one of my favorite young songwriters, Misty Loggins who was performing with the duo Love & Theft and Mike Willis.



Nancy & Bob

My friend and famed Nashville photographer Alan Mayor is a big fan of Misty and suggested that I check out the show, but having heard her perform the last couple of years, I was already a fan. As talented as she is beautiful and equally friendly, Misty was great. In fact they all were, and it was a fantastic afternoon show that seemed like a private performance for the lucky people gathered in and around the pool.

Misty Loggins

My next stop was another intimate show that was held in the garden at the Old Town Manor Hotel that is owned by my friends Runi & Walter. The show featured two incredible young women performers including former American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook and the amazing Lucie Silvas. The small garden was crowded with fans who were treated to a wonderful show that was part of another new addition to the Festival, the Garden Series.



Walter & Lucie Silvas

Lucie Silvas

Kristy Lee Cook

Next it was on to Sloppy Joe’s bar to start the evening off. This show featured Al Anderson, Marshall Chapman, John Pardi and Bobby Pinson early- before giving way to a solo performance by the legendary Robert Earl Keen Jr. Kathy opted to head over to the San Carlos to see the likes of Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin and Ed Roland from Collective Soul. I stayed for all of Robert Earl’s fantastic set before heading over to join Kathy in time to catch Chuck Cannon & Sarah Buxton and then Raul Malo & James Slater.

Michael & Robert Earl Keen Jr.

John Pardi





Robert Earl Keen

Once again after the finish of the San Carlos show, we popped over to catch the end of the show at the Tropic Theatre where we were able to watch the final round of performers that included Like Laird, Lori McKenna, Steve Bogard & Barry Dean. It was great again though the many slow songs sort of was quieter than the mood we were in- something that was fixed fairly quickly when we went over to finish the night at the late night throwdown at Irish Kevin’s.

Robert Earl Keen Jr.





Chuck Cannon

Sarah Buxton