In a New Year that’s dawning with political chaos and football incidents (not to mention the ongoing pandemic), I thought I’d take some time this week to showcase some of my favorite Florida Keys guitar players. All of these pickers has developed their own styles and unique talents, and I am privileged to know them and to have shared stages and projects with them.
My first gig in the Keys was in February 1984, and that was the same time I first heard Freddie Bye play at the Brass Monkey. I had heard a bit about him before I went; it didn’t, however, prepare me for the shock and awe of Freddie’s note-perfect rendition of Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption.” I was blown away at the fact that a mere mortal guitar player at a bar in the Keys could play faster than I could even think and do unimaginable things to a guitar.
Fast forward three years, and I’m in the band at the Brass Monkey with Freddie, Ronnie B on drums, and Robyn Robins (from Seger’s Silver Bullet Band) on keyboards. I mostly played bass in that band, and it was a really good musical education in a lot of ways. No matter how many times we played it, I never got tired of hearing Freddie take off on “Eruption.” Freddie had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things guitar and rock and roll, and was quite adept at nearly everything from the Beatles to Hendrix to Skynyrd.
Fast forward three decades, and Freddie is still amazing them at the Brass Monkey. Generations of music lovers have enjoyed his guitar wizardry, and hopefully will for many years to come.
I first saw Steven Miller play in a nightclub in Islamorada that exists no more. I think it was an early version of his group Blackwater Sound. I was driving back from a Key Largo gig, pulled into the club’s parking lot, went in, and heard some guy playing the Eagles’ “Life In The Fast Lane” — and playing it right. His guitar tone was perfect, his execution was flawless, and I was blown away.
Fast forward those three decades again, and Mr. Steven Miller and I are playing in the same band! After several years of gigging with him, I can safely say that Steven is probably the best overall all-around blues and rock player I’ve ever worked with. His tone is spot on for whatever song we’re playing, and though he can shred like no one’s business, he is one of the tastiest guitarists I’ve ever known. From stinging blues licks to incredible rocking rhythms and leads, Steven Miller is a true first-class talent.
Case in point: our old band (Storm Watch or Jade Storm) often got requests for Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” There are a lot of musicians, myself included, who don’t always enjoy every note and every minute of that particular song. When we did that song, however, it was good. Really good. I’d start with that trademark intro lick on my Stratocaster, Glenn Faast played the actual correct drum parts, Rob Garza would lock in and hold down the bass … and Steven would have those signature leads down — perfect in timing, tone and technique. I really miss playing with Steve … and the other guys, too! You can catch Steven Miller and RadioGhost in various Upper Keys hangouts.
Switching gears here, there’s a Lower Keys musician who has entertained so many since his arrival from Ohio in the very early 1980s. Terry Cassidy is a consummate country, folk and bluegrass picker. Adept at guitar and banjo, Terry’s love of music is apparent in both his cover song choices and his original tunes as well. Terry does some cool bluegrass-inspired flatpicking, and will then turn around and lay down some very tasty fingerstyle songs to keep things interesting.
Terry’s love of music is also responsible for some other pretty good guitar players showing up and playing shows here in the Keys. Terry has hosted internationally-recognized guitar talent at his house concerts — names like Richard Gilewitz and Richard Smith. And he promotes the local acoustic music scene through his Monday “Terry & Friends” shows at Boondocks. You can often catch Terry at Boondocks, and be sure to pick up a CD or cassette (the 8-track is a bit suspect).
That’s all I have room for today… rest assured that there will be future installments, as we are blessed with some truly amazing musical talent in these islands! Go out and support local live music — safely and in a socially distant manner!
– Catch John Wednesdays at Herbie’s, Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, Fridays on Facebook Live for the Social Distancing Concerts, and Saturday night at the Key Colony Inn. Music available wherever you get your streaming. www.facebook.com/john.bartus
