Play a Train Song

January 28, 2020

Todd Snider







Play a Train Song

One of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters made his return to Key West this week as the amazing Todd Snider played a fantastic show at the Key West Theater. Since first seeing him play on New Year’s Eve 1993 at Margaritaville, back when he was clean-shaven, newly signed to Jimmy Buffett’s record label and fresh off his first CD, “Songs For the Daily Planet”, until today, I have seen Todd play something approaching 30 times.









If he is on, which he generally is, each concert is a unique, special evening of story-telling, fantastic songs fun and humor. Thankfully this show he was as good as it gets. I had ironically run into Todd on Duval Street earlier in the day of his show. He was standing in front of Margaritaville with his road manager pointing out the apartment over the bar where he once lived. He was in a reflective, nostalgic mood, remembering those old days and mourning the passing of his beloved dog and traveling companion Cowboy Jim the day before.







I was downtown to check out the visit of a group of Tibetan Monks who were in town for a week, creating another incredible and detailed sand Mandala at St. Paul’s Church on Duval Street. It was like a Karmic experience to run into Todd after seeing the monks. Upon learning of his dog’s passing, I had flowers sent to the theater for Todd, which were displayed on stage during his show.









The Monks travel fairly regularly to Key West, every year or so and set up at St. Paul’s where they create the Mandala, sell some cool Tibetan wears and offer prayers and ministry to visitors. They are about the coolest and calmest people to ever visit Key West and watching the patient, detailed creation of the sand painting, which is swept away at the end of the week as a sign of the impermanence of all things, is an amazing experience.











The quiet, solitude and beauty of watching them delicately arrange tiny grains of sand in creating the beautiful art is something to behold. It was certainly worth a trip down to watch and running into Todd only added to a great afternoon. We invited our friends Eric and Andy to join us at our table up front of the Theater for the show which was just fantastic.









An act that I had never heard of, Chicago Farmer, opened the show and the solo singer was absolutely a revelation. We all really loved his funny, charming performance and he was one of the best opening acts that I have seen in ages. I went back during the break between the sets to meet him and his wife, who creates and sells beautiful jewelry created from used guitar strings. I found him talking to my friend Jay, who organizes the Old Town/ New Folk concert series who was already inquiring about the possibility of a future return trip to Key West. I sure hope that he comes back soon and often and would encourage you to go on-line and check him out.



Chicago Farmer and Jay



Todd Snider was unbelievably good as well, he played a terrific set in honor of his lost pal and seemed in a great mood all things considered. He was very reflective and told all sorts of stories of his history with Jimmy Buffett and Key West and even played a remarkable four song set of Jimmy Buffett covers near the end of his performance.





We had another terrific musical experience this week as well as we went out to see actress and Broadway superstar, Kristen Chenoweth at the Tennessee Williams Fine Art Center. Chenoweth was here as part of their annual season of shows and singers, which has been beyond good this year. Some years ago, I had met Chenoweth when out with my mother at Joe Allen in New York after some Broadway performance and I had the chance to meet her again as Kathy and I had a VIP Meet and Greet backstage experience after her show.



Matt



The show was terrific as she played a number of her greatest hits as well as songs from her most recent CD, “For the Girls” a tribute CD to some of the most famous female singers of all time. Her voice and stage presence is incredible and for a really timy person, she can belt it out. It capped an amazing week here in Key West.