Thom LaFond “An art of time” Thom LaFond grew up in Albany, New York and began playing music on his mother’s guitar when he was nine years old. By the age of thirteen Thom was committed to being a professional musician. He had musical relatives that lived in New York City and across the river […]
Tom Luna “Infected by the Key West virus” A southern boy, Tom Luna was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1952. He jokingly says they were a totally homophobic bigoted family. At age seven, he saw the Bolshoi Ballet on the Ed Sullivan Show and told his parents he wanted to be a ballet dancer. He […]
Dottie Martin “…a legendary Key West classic.” Dottie was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 17, she fell in love with a 4ft. 10in. jockey. They were married, traveled around the country, and soon later, divorced. Dottie started singing and performing at the age of 20. In 1949, while visiting friends in New […]
Chris Burchard. – his face is hurting from smiling so much Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Chris Burchard spent time in California but his formative years were spent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He began playing piano at six years old and received his first guitar in the 4th grade. Early in high school, he played […]
Tim Mayer “Music really lives here” Tim Mayer was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, grew up near Portland, Oregon, and finished high school in San Luis Obispo, California. He learned music in elementary school and joined the school band. Mayer originally played the clarinet but at age 10, he switched to the saxophone. He […]
Bo Fodor “Plan your work and work your plan” Bo Fodor says he’s another Army brat musician who moved a lot with his family, which consisted of two brothers and a sister. In 1974, at the age of 14, he started playing guitar in Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Park High School […]
CW Colt – Royal Minstrel of the Conch Republic. Coul William Colt (aka: CW Colt) has been in Key West so long that when asked where he’s from, he quickly answers “here.” Music had deep roots in his family. His grandfather had an orchestra in Indiana. He was young when he began singing in the school […]
Belle Jampol – Original music comes from the heart Belle Jampol was born in Key West to multi-talented musical parents, guitarist Mateo Jampol and singer/dancer/choreographer Penny Leto, so she was off to a great start. When asked how early she started learning music, Belle said it was before she was born. Her mom was one […]
Rick Fusco – You Don’t Choose Key West by Ralph De Palma Rick is from Wilmington, Delaware and comes from a large Italian family, full of musicians and vocalists. He is the sixth out of seven children. His grandfather, Antonio Fusco, came from Italy through Ellis Island. Rick remembers carrying an older brother’s ukulele around […]
Kari Wolf “You might as well do what you love.” By Ralph De Palma Kari was born in Iowa, raised in a suburb of Chicago, and spent her teens in high school in Madison, Wisconsin. While growing up, Kari and her older sister, Aryn, would sing together. Her mother played guitar and would volunteer and […]
