The Tiki Seekers

The Tiki Seekers - A man standing in front of a store - Music

Songwriting and zest defines musicians

Named after their trusty dingy, the Tiki Seekers have found retirement as the perfect excuse to make a little noise. Ten years removed from sailing down from Jacksonville, they’ve decided to toss conventional wisdom aside for island life.

“A wise man told us, ‘Don’t work a day more than you have to,’ so we sold everything and bought a sail boat,” quipped Bill Spohn.

Spohn started as songwriter when he was in his teenage years. Although he graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in business, he was inspired by the greats — Elvis, the Beatles, the Bee Gees, and Ray Charles.

“By the time I was 22, I had 100 songs written. I’ve always said I think it’s my only God given talent,” chuckled Spohn. “I’m one of those people that songs come to me all at one time. It’s like they just appear in my head.”

PJ Tedrick’s parents paved the way for her musical journey — both were musicians.

“I still remember my first performance. My father was playing a small venue when my Mom decided to dress me in an Easter costume and have me sing ‘Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail.’ When people filled my basket with money, I thought, ‘Holy smokes I just have to stand here, sing, and I get money? I’m in,’” she recalled, laughing.

Now the two musicians perform songs “from Elvis to the Eagles.”

Sticking to their motto of “always fresh, never canned,” the two perform without the assistance of backing tracks, samples, or any type of additional music or effects, using only a guitar and tambourine. Bill’s originals continue to get play as well as the folk-rock and country-rock story songs, plus he’s expanded to include a number of genres such as show tunes, Disney theme songs, and jazz.

“In another lifetime, I would have liked to have been a songwriter by profession,” said Spohn.

Since relocating to Marathon, they’ve written about the people they’ve met, the places they’ve been and the things they’ve done. They said they enjoy performing locally inspired songs

“We have songs about all sorts of local people and themes, like a biker song about a man in Marathon called ‘Tough Guy,’ and a song about a talking fish called ‘I Caught a Fish Today,’” said Spohn.

The duo currently performs regularly at the Harbor View Café and will be at Barnacle Barney’s on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Throughout the last year, they’ve played at eight locations around Marathon and look forward to more gigs.

“We hope to continue playing in Marathon for as long as they’ll have us.” -Tedrick.

‘Always fresh, never canned’ is the official motto of Marathon’s Tiki Seekers.


Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Barnacle Barney’s Tiki Bar at Bluegreen Hammocks Resort – 6-9pm

Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Springer’s Bar and Grill, Big Pine Key – 5:30-8:30pm

Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Springer’s Bar and Grill, Big Pine Key – 5:30-8:30pm

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Harbor View Cafe at FL Keys Country Club – 6-9pm

Tuesday      – Dec. 13th  – Springer’s Bar and Grill, Big Pine Key – 5:30-8:30pm

Tuesday, Dec. 20 – Springer’s Bar and Grill, Big Pine Key – 5:30-8:30pm

Thursday     – Dec. 22nd – Harbor View Cafe at FL Keys Country Club – 6-9pm

Tuesday, Dec. 27 – Springer’s Bar and Grill, Big Pine Key – 5:30-8:30pm

Gabriel Sanchez is a Marathon native, Navy veteran, and struggling musician. He’s living proof that great things … are short and have good hair (including facial). Sixty percent of the time, he makes 90 percent of the deadlines.