An icon of the Key West music scene, Zack Seemiller arrived on the island 30 years ago. As we sit at his home in Old Town, Seemiller shares stories of his past journey and future plans as we enjoy several cups of coffee on a Sunday morning.
Never one to miss a chance to make his audience laugh (even if he only has an audience of one), Seemiller smiles as he reminds me he was “raised on the bayous of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.”
In the early ‘90s, Seemiller and his jam band Grooveyard made a name for themselves around Key West. They brought their unique style to many stages across the island.
“It’s funny to me that I was in a jam band. I’m really a folk singer at heart,” Zack says. “It was a wild time, but we sure had fun.”
Eventually, the other band members moved on and Seemiller stayed in Key West to continue performing mostly as a solo artist.
His original songs, such as “Harmony,” “I Live On An Island” and “I’m Not Jimmy Buffett” showcase his talent as an exceptional songwriter. However, Seemiller has also become known for weaving comedy into his performances.
“The comedy really was inspired by my dislike of dead air. I just began to have fun and say silly things to fill the awkward silence that typically exists between songs. It seemed to take off from there,” he said.
One of the hardest working performers in town, Seemiller currently performs six days a week. often playing several gigs each day. He does an annual showcase at The Studios of Key West to raise money for charities. He has been a headliner for the Sunday Ramble concert series. He recently put on a comedy and music concert at The Key West Theater that he billed as “Rock Star Comedian.”
“Of all the performances I have done, my favorite was the 2005 tribute concert to Harry Chapin, one of my favorite folk artists,” Zack recalls. “I’m actually working on a plan for a tribute to another one of my favorites, Jim Croce.”
Seemiller can be seen at various venues around town including Rick’s Downstairs, Hog’s Breath Saloon, Willie T’s, and Rams Head Southernmost. He can also be seen some weekends fronting longtime friend Caffeine Carl’s band at the Smokin’ Tuna. Their performances are legendary. Zack, with his excellent vocal skills and entertaining comedy, is the perfect front man for Key West’s most beloved guitarist, Caffeine Carl, and his phenomenal band.
Seemiller also has mastered the art of marketing and promotion. He has an entire line of merchandise — t-shirts, hats, cozies, CDs and stickers. He calls his merch setup, Zack Mart. He has established a huge local and worldwide fanbase. Regular Key West visitors often include Zack’s shows on their travel itinerary.
“COVID actually helped me to become even better at marketing myself,” says Seemiller. “I learned all about broadcasting live on Facebook as a means to continue to make money during the pandemic.”
Zack has also been smart enough to surround himself with a team of people to help with marketing. His good friend Lynwood Salvo is an expert videographer who has helped film, edit and produce multiple music videos for Zack.
One of Zack’s biggest fans is Susan Baron Sypniewski, who also happens to be a graphic design expert. Susan is the artist behind the hilarious marketing memes that have appeared almost daily on Zack’s social media pages for the past several years. Her graphic art, Photoshop skills and creativity have been a huge asset to Seemiller’s marketing plan.
“I’m so grateful to Susan for her support and creativity,” says Zack. “She’s a great friend and has been a huge help in marketing and promoting me.”
Seemiller’s creativity and drive to take on new challenges are unwavering. Aside from plans to put on more songwriter tribute concerts, Zack is currently kicking around the idea for “Zack TV.” He has a vision for a music and sketch comedy show for YouTube or some other streaming service. The plans are already in motion for this project. Keep your eyes and ears open for what is sure to be another successful endeavor of comedic and music entertainment.
BEN’S LIST
5 Great Blues Albums
1. “Live at the Regal” – BB King
2. “From the Cradle” – Eric Clapton
3. “Hard Again” – Muddy Waters
4. “Born Under a Bad Sign” – Albert King
5. “Moanin’ in the Moonlight” – Howlin’ Wolf
