Well……what happens in Key West stays in Key West is the saying but I am going to share with you some of the finer moments of MOTM. If you were not able to attend this year, I am sorry to say that you missed a great time despite the rain, the wind and the chilly temperatures. CPHC had 36 members that made their way down island for the best show in town. Once again, our Lost Shaker of Salt Happy Hour at the Conch Republic Seafood was a success with a good time had by all. Each day and night was filled with the best Trop Rock music around! We did the old man proud by partying with a purpose. Parrot Heads in Paradise was able to give Wesley House, The SPCA of Monroe County a donation of $5,000 each. Over 91 units of blood were donated which was a record for the blood mobile. The Trop Rock performer of the year was Howard Livingston.
I attended the club leaders meeting and met the oldest active parrot head, Larry Dungan, age 90! He was having a great time! Some interesting facts that were given during the club leaders meeting: Since 2006, PHIP has been keeping track of all monies donated by all of the chapters. To date that amount is 19.2 million dollars. That is amazing! Your work with CPHC is included in that figure. CPHC had acknowledgement in the PHIP financial report for our $3,000 donation to the scholarship fund. Yeah CPHC! There were 6,000 tickets available to parrot head clubs for Jimmy’s concerts this season, only 4,000 were used. There are now 238 parrot head clubs around the world. The parrot head nation continues to grow and with that growth many causes are helped.
Now to my favorite part of the convention, the music! Peter Mayer’s concert at the Studios of Key West was by far the most amazing evening. Joining Peter were brother Jim Mayer on bass and R.Scott Bryant on percussion. If you love Beatles music, this was the concert to hear as they played many cuts from Peter’s latest CD Goodbye Hello. New arrangements of those familiar songs we all love. Thursday evening at the Casa brought out the Boat Drunks warming up the audience despite a few rain sprinkles. Mac McAnally fired up the crowd his story telling and amazing songs. He was joined by Mr. Utley, Robert Greenidge, Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer and the lovely Tina Gulickson known as Club Trini. There was something about standing on the beach singing Christmas songs under palm trees, it was a moment! Club Trini has a new Christmas CD out this season and they played some of the songs for all to enjoy. When they played Gypsies in the Palace the crowd was a rocking! It was a great night of music for all. The temperatures on Friday became a little chillier and the winds began to blow but that did not keep this band of gypsies from singing and dancing on Duval Street at the annual Street Fest. CPHC’s own John Patti IV was seen and heard with many performers throughout the convention. Check out John’s new CD Cabana Breeze! Saturday’s Beach Bash was chilly but the bands kept the crowd warm. All in all, it was another great time in Key West! So much music, late nights at Louie’s, too little time to take it all in! I think we punched all of our fun tickets for MOTM 2010. Make plans to join the phlock as we return for Don’t Stop the Carnival MOTM 2011 which will be the 20th anniversary. You never know who will be stopping by!
Till the next time we meet!
Fins Up /\
Kathy Graves