Mick Kilgos: ” …music is the glue that holds Key West together.” Often introduced by Ericson Holt as ‘the pride of Kankakee’, Mick Kilgos was born in Kankakee, Illinois, a small town 45 miles south of Chicago. When he was 14 years old, Mick starting playing music. His life mirrors the story of that legendary […]
Evan Valentine – “The island giveth and can taketh away” Born in Sacramento, California in 1996, Evan Valentine grew up just south of Boston on the coast. While growing up, he had access to a grand piano, drum set, bass guitar and acoustic guitar. A cousin had a drum set in his basement and around […]
Richard Crooks – gets a standing ovation In 2013, after shooting a recording session for Bill Blue’s album, Mojolation (his first new album in over 30 years), I had lunch with Bill. He described how all the musicians in Key West wanted to help record his new music. One in particular was the world class […]
Randy Stindt “still delivering it” Born and raised in Fresno, California, Randy had a younger brother, Paul and sister, Ashley but he was the only one in the family with an interest in music. An aunt gave him an acoustic guitar and he began teaching himself songs. Along with other friends, they started a […]
Steve Mello amazing, sad and bittersweet Born March 10, 1954, Steve Mello was originally from Bermuda where his father owned several grocery stores. He had two sisters and a wonderful mother with strong family roots. The family moved to Melbourne, Florida where he finished school, graduating from Melbourne High School. Growing up, he listened to his […]
Richard “Richie” Ciavolino “Once you become a drummer, the beat will be inside of you.” Richie Ciavolino was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1960. His father Bob “Chevy” Ciavolino was a drummer in Italian street bands in New York and had a great singing voice. The elder Ciavolino performed and booked acts for the Italian […]
Terry Wetmore “…There is something special inside the people you meet in Key West.” Terry Wetmore was born in Schenectady, New York. When he was growing up, the local school district emphasized the arts instead of sports. The school would win state awards for vocals, wind ensembles, and string ensembles. As part of his free […]
Daniel Clark – Has made his Uncle Kirk proud Daniel Miguel Leggett Clark was born in Jacksonville, FL to Daniel Clark and Adriene Lynn Leggett Casamayor. The family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where he attended elementary and middle school. He started playing drums very early in life. The multi-generation Bahamian Leggett family had a […]
Hiram Garzaro Understand the importance of live music By Ralph De Palma Born in Valencia, Venezuela, Hiram Garzaro had a hearing problem, at a very young age, that reduced his ability to hear by almost 80%. The condition was corrected by an operation when he was twelve. After waking up from the operation, Hiram could […]
