Meet "Mr. & Mrs. Margaritaville"!

Since I started this blog, I have written about beaches... Spotlighted some bars... And interviewed a number of bands. But, I have never combined all three into one article. Until now... Chris Hambrook is one of the main drink slingers at Margaritaville in Key West. Having been a patron of Margaritaville Key West many times, I thought it would be great to spend a few minutes with Chris and find out what it’s like to be a BAR tender...that sees some great BANDS... in a BEACH town!
 

 

 

Nice to meet you, Chris! How long have you been bartending – and where did you get started?

I have been bartending for over 20 years now. I started at a place called Armadillos on the city dock in Annapolis MD.

 

What made you want to get into bartending?  

I have been in the restaurant business since I could reach a sink or a stove - worn every hat from bottom to the top. I got into bartending because it's the most fun position in the house. I love being the master of ceremonies. I also love trying to wow my guests and, for me, the bar is the most fun place to do that from.

What brought you to Key West?

I moved to Key West 20 years ago, two weeks after seeing my first Jimmy Buffett concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The island life call to me so I took the leap and moved here with $300 bucks in my pocket. I was a commercial fisherman for the first year. Then drove a cab here for 7 years. Then I worked at Turtle Kraal and, later, I managed Bagatelle restaurant. I have been at Margaritaville for 6 years now.

 

I would think working at Margaritaville would be a much sought after gig. How did you land the job?

I filled out the application and went through the hiring process, just like anyone else. I did know Lou Gammel, the bar manager, for many years prior to my working there but nobody got past the general manager, Ray Massiero, without going through the process. I also had to wait two weeks for them to think it over because my wife had just started there a month earlier.

Let's talk about that....Your wife, Patricija, also works there...how did you guys meet?

My wife and I met at the Stick and Stein bar here in Key West where she was bartending – I came in to watch Monday Night Football. We went out on a date on a Wednesday night and were married in Key West courthouse that Friday afternoon. 19 years later, here we are proudly taking care of Jimmy's guests and enjoying this great Key West life. All because I was inspired to come here after seeing one Jimmy Buffett concert!

How many days/nights a week do you work?

I work Wednesday though Sunday. Patricija works Thursday through Monday night. Tuesday is our one day off a week together.

So, what it is like working in a place like Margaritaville with your wife?

A typical work day for my wife and I is treating everyday Jimmy Buffett fan and every guest that comes through that door like the gold they are. We like to wow them every chance we get. We like to share stories of our life on the island here with them – but not bragging, in a humble, grateful way. We never take any guest, or any of this, for granted. We know we have this whole great life because of what Jimmy Buffett created and it's all his fans old and new that keep this thing going. For Parrotheads, Margaritaville Key West is their church because it's the original. For us it's the Vatican and we are the Popes – and that's why we wear the funny hats!

What do you and your wife like to do when you’re not working?

When were not working we like to support our other local bartenders. I play drums. My wife works on art projects.

I have heard it’s very expensive for the average working person to live in Key West – is that true? You live in Stock Island, right? 

Yes it is very expensive to live here in the Keys, but that's like winning the lottery and bitching about the taxes. You gotta stay focused and be frugal and keep your nose to the grindstone to keep the dream going. Yes we do live on the tourist mecca known as Stock Island!

What’s the best thing about living in the Keys and working in Key West?

The best thing about living in the keys for me is that for the most part everyone gets along down here. The Keys has a “do what you want to do. Be what you want to be. Don't mess with me and I won't mess with you” attitude and I am definitely with that. Also, you can't beat the great weather and beautiful views year round.

And on the flipside, what’s the WORST thing about living in the Keys and working in Key West?

The worst thing about living in the Keys is seeing on television restaurants that you know you can't get to without driving 150 miles! Also, when testosterone ridden, angry, mean people visit the island here and spread a mean vibe…

 

As long as we’re doing “Best and Worst”, what are the best and worst things about working with your wife?

The best thing about working with my wife is I get to work and be with my best friend all the time. For me, that is a dream come true. We both come from families that worked and operated restaurants together all their lives also. So it's in our DNA. The worst thing about working with my wife is she's better than me.

Do you have a favorite drink to make, a specialty?

I do have a signature drink that I love to make. I call it Liquid Sunshine. For me it represents the island when it's a crystal clear, beautiful sunny day and then it rains just a little bit.

Cruzan banana rum
Cruzan raspberry rum
Cruzan mango rum
Cruzan citrus rum
Orange juice and pineapple juice

Shake vigorously and pour into glass over ice
Squeeze and drop a lime wedge to represent the island.
Smack a mint leaf to break out the flavor and place in glass to represent the palm trees.
Place an orange and cherry garnish to represent the sunsets.
Then float with 151 rum to represent the power of the Sunshine!!

What’s your personal favorite thing on the menu at Margaritaville?

I have several favorites. The seafood mac and cheese entree. Lava Lava shrimp and also the Jamaica You Make a Mistakea wings apps.

Working at Margaritaville, I bet you guys get to see lots of fun and crazy things.. Tell me some of the wildest/funniest/craziest.... You said Capt. Tony renewed your wedding vows at Margaritaville?

Yes! The greatest thing ever to happen to us at Margaritaville was “Captain Tony” Terracino renewing our wedding vows at table 1 on the floor of the the original Margaritaville.

One of the wildest things we saw was during a fantasy fest about 6 years ago. A cruise ship full of nudists came into the restaurant and packed the dance floor. A bunch of old naked dancing happy people. That kind of thing still happens from time to time.. it’s known to get pretty wild on the island here during Fantasy Fest! It is also wild to see all the different Jimmy Buffett inspired tattoos people put on their bodies. I have a manatee and dolphin on my left arm and I have sharks on my right arm. So yes, I have fins to the left and fins to the right.


You also get to see lots of great music... Who are some of your favorite bands that have played at Margaritaville?

Some of my favorite bands that play Margaritaville are The Boat Drunks, the Baja Brothers, Michael Armstrong and the Key West Band, The Nace Brothers, the Niki Barr Band , Scott Kirby and Country Dave Edmundson, The Sauce Boss, John Patti and John Frinzy, Parrot Beach, Jonathan Birchfield, and my own band SPUNJWURTHI. Then, of course, you get the big boys doing special guest appearances or even entire shows.My all time favorite was seeing Jimmy Buffet there three years ago when he premiered the song “We Got a Lot to Drink About”. We even got to see Jimmy Buffet do an entire show in 1998 with the band Iko Iko. Which, by the way, was the first time we got to meet Jimmy Buffet. Kenny Chesney and Mac MacAnally did an entire show just over a month ago here at Margaritavile. Peter Mayer has given us a whole show as well. Nadira Shakoor sits in with The Boat Drunks from time to time. Doyle Grisham has played the stage. Ilo Ferriera has played a few times. So many great performances.

You said earlier you play the drums. Do you get to play much at Margaritaville?

Yes, I do play drums. Margaritaville and the bands often allow me to sit in with them, which is truly - from the bottom of my heart - an honor to be able to do. I love when I'm bartending and the bands invite me to the stage and I come from behind the bar and get behind the drum set and rock the house and then come back behind the bar. What an amazing feeling knowing I too get to play that world famous stage.

What else would you like people to know about you and your wife, Margaritaville or Key West…any "Tips for Tourists"?  

I would like everyone to know that we wear the moniker of “Mr. and Mrs. Margaritaville” with pride and all the love in our hearts. When you come in we will strive to give each and every one of you a once in a lifetime experience here at Jimmy Buffets original Margaritaville in Key West Florida. My tips for the tourists: Go out and see all these wonderful musicians, buy their CDs, support the music and let's keep this thing rolling!

 

Thanks for the time, Chris…I’ll see you soon in Key West!

Dennis McCaughey: His feet may be in Pennsylvania, but he's got a Tropical Soul.

When you think "Trop Rock", you generally think warm climates. Which is why so many of the top artists in the genre make their homes in places like Key West and on the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. But, increasingly, you can find steel drums and island vibes in what most people would consider "tropically challenged" spots, like Michigan and Indiana. Proving it's not where your feet are, it's where your head - and heart - are that makes you a Parrot Head or Trop Rock fan, Dennis McCaughey and Tropical Soul have carved out their own little slice of Margaritaville in Central Pennsylvania. I sat down with Dennis recently and asked him about the origins of the band, his songwriting style, and how his band become one of the musical mainstays of Meeting of The Minds, the Parrot Head "phlocking" that takes place every year in Key West. 

Tropical Soul, the band, has been together for over a dozen years. How long have YOU, personally, been playing music?

Well, it's hard to believe that TS has been around so long. We must have started when we were in high school! Seriously though, I bought my first guitar in 1978 at the ripe old age of twenty (ok, start doing the math...) and was immediately hooked. My brother and I formed a duo a few years later and started playing in local bars and restaurants by about 1984. After some 34 years, I can't imagine life without music!

The Keystone State doesn’t seem a natural spot for someone to start singing about “beaches and boats”. What made you gravitate towards that kind of music – the journey that took you there - and how did the band, Tropical Soul, come together?

      

I think for me, I really just started to identify with the laidback life "backdrop" that the music is wrapped around. Even living in central PA, I've always been drawn to the water, I've always loved beaches, bars and boats, so when I found the musical connection to those things it just seemed to click for me.

I bought my first Buffett album (yes, big round vinyl thingy) in 1983 and in the duo with my brother we did a few Buffett tunes. After a few years I went on to play solo and kept on adding more of Jimmy's songs to my repertoire. I went into a sort of retirement in the mid 90's. My wife and I joined the brand new local Parrothead club in our area in 1996. As we started to have regular social gatherings with the club, I thought it would be cool if I brushed up on some of the Buffett tunes I knew and offer to play at one of the get-togethers. I did this a couple of times as a solo and then our president Jim Moser said he had a friend who played bass and sang and was really good. He said he'd like to have him come out and join me for a few songs at the next meeting. I kind of forgot about it, but sure enough at the next meeting I met Jim's friend Al Anderson. He sat in on a few songs and played bass. It sounded great and by about the third song he was singing harmony. He was a great singer and our voices blended immediately. By the end of the set my wheels were turning. We hit it off and within a couple of months, we were booking gigs and Tropical Soul was born.

Every songwriter I know has their own process for practicing their craft. What is yours… Do you decide, “it’s time to make a new album, let’s write some songs” or do the songs come first and, when you have enough of them written, then you make the album? And what are some of your favorite Dennis McCaughey-penned songs?

      

Not being a very prolific songwriter, I have always approached it like "it's time to make a new album." I'm not one who writes all the time so when I do start to write, I have to conjure up some discipline and get myself to get into a routine of blocking out time and writing at least a little bit every day. It does work for me but it's not the prettiest thing in the world. Usually once I have enough songs for a cd, I'll go back to only writing occasionally.

I always think the song, "No Plans At All", is probably my best writing. I like the way the studio recording came out too with John Patti doing a great part on the steel drums. "Bahama Mama" was fun to write and really came to life in the studio with Scott Bryan blowing everyone away with his percussion playing and JP killing it on steel pans. On the new "Little Summertime" cd there's a song called "Richest Man in the World", which talks about my dropping out of the corporate world and pursuing music full time. I probably won't be on the cover of Forbes Magazine any time soon, but I've been very blessed and really do feel rich......just don't check my bank account!

 

 

What about touring, how much do you and the band do?

      

I guess we're on the road about ten weeks a year, total. Most of that time is based around trips that end up in Key West. I'm lucky enough to get to play in Key West about 4-5 weeks a year now, so I'll kind of build mini tours around those weeks. In the last couple of years we've also been fortunate enough to play in New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Diego, Canada, New England and lots of other wonderful places.

What are some of your favorite places to play around the country and what makes them a favorite?

      

The first time I visited Key West, almost twenty years ago, my wife and I stumbled (probably literally...) into the Hog's Breath Saloon. There was a guy playing acoustic guitar and singing. The atmosphere was great, he was great and I couldn't help but wonder how cool it would be to get to play on that stage. Still one of my favorites! I love the Navagator for it's great vibe and Trop Rock loving crowds and The Yard in Tampa is so unique and cool. I had a blast there.

What about House Concerts?

I've only done a handful of house concerts so far. It is a great and very intimate experience playing for a listening crowd. They are becoming more and more popular. As you know, I'm coming there to Atlanta to do a House Concert for you guys (sponsored by the Atlanta Trop Rock Alliance) in early May. I'm working on doing a little house concert tour later this year. I'll keep you posted on that.

What are some of your favorite "home town hangs"?

      

There are so many great places in the area, especially in the Summer. Some of my favorites are TJ Rockwells in Elizabethtown, with its huge tropical themed deck and outdoor bar made out of a boat. Heritage Hills in York has been doing Parrothead Sundays all summer on their beautiful patio for years. It's always a blast. Loxley's and Trio have great outdoor spaces too and are always fun and both are within five minutes of my house!

My wife, Georgia, and I saw Tropical Soul at Hog’s Breath Saloon every afternoon during Meeting Of The Minds last year. How did you get that gig?

     

I had gotten to know Scott Kirby in the late 90's. From the first time I saw him perform I was hooked on his writing, musicianship, sharp wit and humor. He was and is one of my favorite songwriters. Through Parrothead events, crossing paths, occasionally sitting in with one another and having opportunities to spend some time together, we become good friends. When we were preparing to start recording our "No Plans at All" CD in 2004, I asked Scott if I could record one of his songs on the album. He graciously said yes. We ended up recording Scott's "Heart of a Beach Town" on that record. I had told Scott that we planned to release the new CD at MOTM that year. He was scheduled to play at the Hog's Breath for the entire week and was kind enough to offer that we come by and play a set of our new songs during one of his gigs at the Hog. We were thrilled and we made it a CD release party. It was a greatt success! The following year, Scott was invited to play at the Casa (big stage) during MOTM. With not being able to play the Hog and the Casa, he recommended us to the folks at the Hog as a fill in for the day. We obliged gladly. The following year, there were two days that Scott had other gigs going and we filled in both. As Scott's schedule changed, we did three and then four days in the following years. Seemed each year another day opened up until finally we were offered the entire week. I believe we've been doing the entire week for the last five years now. I feel very lucky to have "fallen" into this great spot. This year, my trio will be back again for the week playing the 5:30 to 9:30 shift. I can't wait!

Where do you see “Trop Rock” going in the next 5 – 10 years?

Well, ya know, the support and enthusiasm for Trop Rock still seems to be growing! I think one of the signs of longevity is that TR has found its way more and more into mainstream country music via Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney and the like. Plus I'm always amazed at how many younger folks identify with it. When Jimmy said "We are the people our parents warned us about" he was really onto something! It just seems to weaving through generations. I just hope that in 5 or 10 years I can still be a part of it.

Anything else you would like people to know about you?

I just want folks to know how much we appreciate the support from Trop Rock fans for all these years. It's more fun each year......and hey.....I'll keep on singing those songs till y'all get tired of hearing them!

Thanks, Dennis - see you "on the road"!

Thanks so much for taking the time to interview me Fred!! It's been a lot of fun!

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Tail Gate Cuisine: How Chef Rusty Hamlin from the Zac Brown Band does it.

Smack dab in the middle of the Summertime touring season and that means...TAILGATE! Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney are both out and about, playing stadiums and amphitheatres across the country through August. Plenty of time for you to get your parking lot party ready, and - in addition to the proper decorations and accoutrements (got to make sure that tiki bar feng shui is working) - that means food and drink. Sure, some Brats on the grill and a cooler full of Landsharks count as food and drink. But, if you really want to impress the temporary neighbors, you've gotta up your game. So, here are some recipes to add a little zing to your fling, some get up to your set up, some...you get the idea. The first one comes from a man that knows his way around a mobile grill, Chef Richard "Rusty" Hamlin - an old friend from my bar and restaurant days, touring chef for the Zac Brown Band, and the food wizard behind the now famous pre-show "Eat and Greets". Rusty currently lives in the Atlanta area, but his roots are in Louisiana, where he graduated from the Culinary Arts Institute of Louisiana, and got his first kitchen training on the Belle of Baton Rouge river boat casino. Mixing Cajun food with a southern flair, Rusty is known for meticulously grilled pork and beef tenderloin, slathered in Zac Brown's own sauces and rubs. Here, "Chef Rusty" offers up an easy appetizer that will definitely make the people parked on either side of you stand up and take notice...

CUCUMBER BRUCHETTA w/ Grilled Shrimp & Crab Salad (serves up to 24)

3 Seedless Cucumbers (2½ cut on a bias into ¼ inch thick rounds, ½ cucumber tiny dice)
 

½ Red Bell Pepper (tiny dice)

½ Green Bell Pepper (tiny dice)

2 Bulbs Shallots (tiny dice)

½ Head Garlic (tiny dice)

1 Lemon (juiced)

1 Lime (juiced)

1/8 cup Cilantro (minced)

1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 firm Avocado (seed and skin removed, tiny dice)

1 Tsp Salt

½ Tsp Pepper

1 Tsp Louisiana Hot Sauce

½ lb Shrimp

¼ lb Lump Crab Meat (blue/local)

¼ oz chives (rough chop, for garnish)

Skewer, salt, pepper and oil shrimp. Grill over med-high heat. Remove and set aside to cool.

Sift through crab meat to find any remaining shell.

Once shrimp has cooled, cut into tiny pieces and shred crab meat.

Add shrimp, crab, and all remaining ingredients (except for the cucumber rounds and chives) in a mixing bowl and mix. Add a spoonful of mixture to each cucumber round, and garnish with the chives. Chill slightly before serving.

http://chefrusty.com/

The next two recipes come from the "Eddie Ray's and BR's Food Club" group on Facebook

Brats and Drunken Pepper Sandwich 

Servings 4 Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 0:15
submitted by:qgriffith

1 package Bratwursts

1 whole Yellow bell pepper

1 whole Red bell pepper

1 whole Red onion

4 cloves Minced Garlic

1 package Hoogie buns

1 tablespoon Olive oil

1 teaspoon Butter
1 tablespoon Red chili flakes

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon Black pepper

1/2 cup Flavorful Beer

4 tablespoons Spicy Brown Mustard

Directions
1.Slice the peppers and onions into thin strips
2.Grill the brats on the grill or a grill pan
3.While the brats are grilling, in a sauce pan add the onions, peppers olive oil, butter and garlic cook over medium low heat.
4.In about 3 minutes pour in the beer and season with the red chili flakes, kosher salt, and pepper.
5.Let the pepper mixture simmer and reduce.
6.Set the brats aside when they are finished cooking
7.Split and Toast the hoogie buns
8.Assemble the sandwich by putting the mustard on the bun, with the brat, and then add some of the peppers.

BR’s Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
• 3 cups ketchup
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup water
• 1 can chipotle chilies (smoked jalapenos), chopped
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup - yellow mustard
• 2 cups blackberries
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Sea salt, to taste
• 1 cup Thick & Chunky Salsa

Puree Blackberries, onions and chipotle peppers. Add all ingredients together in a pan and simmer for 1 hour. Let cool and it is ready… Great Flavor with a little kick.

Here's one for a kick yer butt boat drink, from my brother in law - Dr. Tom Bulle - an avid sailor and regular visitor to the BVI.

Rum Punch
Makes just over 5 gallons - enough for @ 50 12 oz drinks. When you want to make alot of new friends...

1 1/2 Gallons Pineapple Juice
1 1/2 Gallons Orange Juice
3/4 Gallon Sweetened Lime Juice (8 small bottles)
3/4 Gallon Dark Rum
3/4 Gallon Myers rum
1 bottle Grenadine

Here's one for a traditional New Orleans Sandwich you can make in advance - when you don't feel like grilling but still want something more than just a boring hoagie...

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Muffaletta Ingredients For Olive Salad: 1 Cup Each Pitted Green and Black Olives, Coarsely Chopped 1 Tbsp Tiny Capers 1/3 Cup Diced (1/4 inch) Roasted Bell Pepper 1/4 Cup Diced (1/4 inch) Celery, with leaves 2 Tbsp Chopped, flat-leaf Parsley 2 Teaspoon Finely Minced Garlic 2 Tbsp Olive Oil Salt and Pepper To Taste For Sandwich 1 Round Peasant Bread (about 7 inches in diameter, 5 inches high) halved crosswise, insides pulled out. 4 Oz Each Thinly Sliced Genoa Salami and Mortadella      4 Oz Thinly Sliced Provolone Cheese   Prepare the Olive Salad ahead of time: Combine all the ingredients and set aside in the refrigerator for 4 hours or longer.  Assemble the sandwich: Spread half of the Olive Salad on the bottom half of the bread. Layer with salami, provolone and mortadella, then top with the remaining Olive Salad. Cover with the top of the bread, press down and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap the sandwich in plastic wrap and let stand for 1 hour. Unwrap, cut into 6 wedges using a serrated knife, then wrap them for the road. Be sure to hollow out the bread so the salad can fit inside. TIP: Wrap the sandwiches in wax paper and cut in half ahead of time. Wings and Burgers... Grilled Cilantro Lime Wings           3 lb chicken wings 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup ketchup tomato 2 Tbs Worcestershire 2 Tbs red wine vinegar 1 tsp dry mustard 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper Tabasco to taste         1 cup Greek yogurt 1 lime, juice and zest 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro 1 clove of minced garlic The night before: Combine honey, ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Add wings; toss to coat well. Refrigerate over night. For Sauce Combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 1 lime juiced and zested, 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro and 1 clove of minced garlic. Place in refrigerator. At the tailgate: Place wings on a barbecue grill; grill over medium high heat 10 to 15 minutes, turning often and basting with reserved marinade, until wings are cooked. For super saucy wings, reserve or make extra marinade....reduce on low heat on stove top and toss wings again once they are off the grill. Serve with a cilantro lime yogurt sauce. Maui Onion and Pineapple Burgers          1 lb. ground beef 3 tablespoons prepared teriyaki sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper 4 buttered, grilled onion rolls Maui Onion and Pineapple Relish 1 cup diced Maui onion (or substitute red onion) 1 cup finely chopped pineapple 1/4 Cup brown sugar 1/3 Cup white wine vinegar 1/8 Teaspoon salt Add ground beef into a bowl and mix in teriyaki sauce, salt and peppers until throughout. Form 4 patties and place in an airtight container for transport to the tailgate site. To make Maui Onion and Pineapple Relish: Add ingredients into a medium saucepan and stir to combine. Cook over medium-low heat for about 15 - 20 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool completely. Transfer into an airtight container. Grill burgers on a lightly oiled rack over medium-high heat, 5 minutes on each side for medium burgers. Top with Maui Onion and Pineapple Relish and serve on hamburger buns. Makes 4 servings