Fifty Years of Dave Wegman
Fifty Years of Dave Wegman
David Wegman hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He never attended any music or art school but taught himself to play music and had a wonderful uncle who showed him how to mix colors in oil.
In the 60s, Wegman built and raced A/Gas dragster. He raced all over the East and made it to South Florida. He discovered Key West, sold his dragster, bought an old Cuban sailboat, and started living on the hook near Wisteria (Christmas Tree) Island.
Wegman captured the Great Key West Snow Storm of 1971 in one of his first paintings, with a bit of dramatic artistic license. I was living in Miami and remember the snow storm of 71. Enough of a dusting of snow fell that I wrote “Help!” on my windshield but no snow drifts as Dave depicted in his painting. Dave started painting signs and doing what he needed to survive.
Later, Wegman lived in an apartment above Howie’s Lounge. He met Jimmy Buffett, the new folk singer in town who performed at Howie’s for $30 a night plus tips. The headliner was Coffee Butler who helped Buffett by allowing him to perform for free on his breaks before he got his own gigs there. Dave painted a sign showing Jimmy Buffett’s first gigs at Howie’s Lounge (copies are available).
In January 1981, Andy Baxter, then owner of Blue Heaven, gave Dave permission to have a birthday party for his brother Tim. He hired the Survivors band (Woody and Din Allen, Quint Lange and Marty Stonely). It was the first music in 40 years at Blue Heaven or west of Whitehead Street. Dave smoked a bunch of Kingfish, made a pot of Conch Chowder, and bought a keg of beer. Mayor Jimmy Weekly came by and Jimmy Buffett attended along with over 100 others.
Wegman built a 31-foot sailboat named Afrigan Queen II. Launched in 1980, he sailed around the Keys and the Eastern Caribbean for about ten years. He built the larger Afrigan Queen III, then took off and sailed around the world on an eight-year adventure in 1989.
Wegman has had an art studio in St. Barthélemy Island (St. Barts) in the Eastern Caribbean for almost 40 years. It’s above Le Select, a bar owned by friend Eddy Stakelborough. In 1980, Jimmy Buffet sailed into town, hung out at Le Select, and jammed with Dave and the owner. They later claimed it was home of the “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. Jimmy didn’t seem to mine.
In 1982, Wegman was anchored in St. Barts harbor on an 82-ft. boat that he chartered for it’s Key West owner. He had crew full of musicians who started a to jam one night and then the real fun began. Anchored next to him, aboard a boat called Water Pearl, was fellow music lover Bob Dylan. He heard the music, rowed over and came onboard, had a cool conversation with Dave about music and sailing for an hour, and then jammed with the other musicians on board.
Dave would go on to meet legendary Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards at Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. He took Keith to Ivan’s Campground because the owner Ivan played a Fender Stratocaster, same as the one Keith played. By the time Keith got the Strat tuned and ready to play, the power went out. So, he and Dave went out on the beach and smoked a joint. Within an hour, the power came back on and Dave got to jam with the great Keith Richards and Ivan for about two hours. Richards signed Dave’s Gibson guitar which now hangs at the Chicken Preserve.
Tony Jonas and Dave Wegman have shared the Key West “Chicken Preserve” home on Mickens Lane for 40 years until Tony’s recent passing. He found an old piano in the 80s and dragged it to the Preserve. Musicians would show up for pot luck dinners and bring their acoustic instruments resulting in some very cool jams. They kept everything the same, never changed a thing. Philanthropist Susan Meztger bought ten houses in Key West after 2000. She donated five to the Literary Society, kept the “Chicken Preserve” as an artist’s studio/gallery. She and her family continued to rent to Tony and Dave. Zack Brown would routinely visit the Preserve and jam with Dave for hours. Kenny Chesney stops by once in a while to this day.
Around 2000, Dave met Channing Lynn who became a sailing and music partner for over five years. They sailed the Caribbean together and along the way, she played her clarinet and learned several other instruments. Channing went on to graduate from Florida State with a degree in Music Therapy. They continue to be great friends and perform together at present day Andy’s Cabana.
Dave has captured these and many other stories in a new book with a serious sampling of his artistry, titled Fifty Years of Dave Wegman. The book is available at bookstores and gift shops in Key West.
A number of years ago my two brothers and I met Dave’s brother near Blue Heaven and took us to meet Dave at his home/gallery and had a two hour wonderful, interesting and unforgettable conversation. Dave and his brother were very friendly and very much fun to talk to.
I just was interested to you on YouTube and it was amazing I watched Peter Santenellos travel show. So glad I got to meet you through that show. You are truly wonderful and it’s great to hear all your stories.
I had the same privilege of discovering Dave through Peter Santenello’s U-Tube video; on his visit to Key West. Excellent discoveries with Peter’s u tube channel.
Rainy day YouTube bingeing; watching Peter’s videos and enjoyed this one about Key West and Dave, friends, and adventures.
David, you are a true pirate and legend. I feel truly blessed just to know of you. Inspirational overload.
Met David in St Lucia. Glad he’s still kicking around!
David did a great interview/Key west tour on Peter Santenello YouTube Channel on 3/30/25
I just Watched David Wegman on the youtube chanel Peter Santenello, Famastic, made me want to take a trip to Key West and small the Ocean and see all the art.
Just watched the awesome YouTube documentary. What an amazing energy David Wegmans so prolific!
Director of your Movie
Mr.David is the coolest dude!
Many memories…
David, your art is amazing and I admire your talent. I am an artist myself and my latest Painting rather resembles you. I saw your documentary with Peter and that’s how I discovered you. If I ever get back down to Key West, I will look you up.
Love many trust few.words well said by David himself.
Just watched you on YouTube with Peter Santenello and absolutely enjoyed watching you and your art and your awe-inspiring life.
Wonderful and captivating tale of a True Key West legend! Thank you for sharing your life story..
Looking forward to the next book
I just seen him with pete
I just saw him with pete
Saw you on Peter’s YouTube channel. Really enjoyed it.
Watching you on Peter Santenello.
Made me want to shuck my life and begin anew with you! 😁💕
Dear Mr. Wegman:
I am Glori Bright, living in Knoxville, TN. My uncle, Philip Immesote, lived there for many years. He always invited me and my husband, Gordon, to come down. Alas, we never made it. Uncle Philip looooved to drink. We just finished watching Peter’s documentary on Key West and we already adore you! And your wonderful community. Now that we’re retired, both 64, it’s on our bucket list to come down and visit and have some drinks to Uncle Philip.
David I lived on a cuban hull sail boat in Garison Bight on a mooring sometime in 1971 -1972 till about mid 1973 and I believe I met you and if correct you had the cuban boat and remember you telling me about the storm and running on the beach before the boat. I was about 19 and if correct I remember you were young and blonde and you loved the sea. I was friend and lover with Mamie Kline and Martha Kline who worked tending bar att I think Nicks bar andGrill I mostly hung at Lou’s bar on Duval St. I love bottom fishing off Sand Key and is some of the best memories of my life. I started fishing before having my own boat sleeping in a old ford van owned by the guy I fished with behind the A&B Lobster House . The funny part is I was 5 ft 6 inch 145 lbs and I had a fling in the van with a local girl who was big boned and tall . It was common for senior tour bus to drop off people for a meal , the girls known as Shrimp Boat Pam well she on me and the van with bad shocks was dancing and a empty beer keg in the van tips over and is banging against the metal van side and I look over my shoulder and there is a crowd of seniors watching the van do the jig with the keg bouncing against the van metal sides what a laugh we had and she didn’t miss a stroke
I just had my 73 rd B day and the fun I had is all I have now . I met Buffett and had dinner with Mel Fisher . I met him because Martha Kline work selling artifacts on the pirate ship. Do you know what Mamie and Martha and what ever happened to them. I moved north back to Ct worked married and had twin girls lost one in 2019 . If God takes my wife first I would move back to the Keys . I would love to hear from you to reminisce.
Hi Dave. I just watched your interview with Peter Santenello. When I heard the song at the end “I’m Going to Pakistan”, it made me want to hear more of your music, which I truly enjoyed. Eventually, the road led me here.
In 2005 I was this close to moving from NJ to Key West with my bike on a Greyhound. Shortly after Katrina hit N. Orleans I headed out. As luck would have it, the bus pulled in as another serious hurricane (Wilma, I think) was rolling ashore & only current residents were allowed to remain. I ended up diverting to back to Houston & never did make it back down. Had I departed a couple of days earlier, I think we’d have been fast friends. Take care & keep inspiring!
Thx DAVE & PETER for the great personal tour that I just saw on You.Tube on 3/5/25 of “Key West” Dave, his friends, their homes & bars, ole haunts, art and delightful history of the past 50+ years..and that key lime pie was an eye-opener at the Blue Heaven Bar!
Seen you on interview w/Peter. So interesting, hope someday to visit Key West. Maybe for my 73rd birthday. Best wishes and a long life!
You’ve found the secret to life, David. Shine your light as long as you can! You’ll help us artists and those hungry for community find our way home. Bless you.
Watching you on Peter’s show on you tube. Great program. You remind me of my aunt Joyce from cape cod, A true artist till the end.