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!

Meeting Of The Minds: Getting There is Half The Fun, Part 2

After feeding the tarpon at Robbie's we made a stop at the next Walgreens we spotted to stock up on supplies for our hotel room, including adult beverages. Yes, I said Walgreens. In addition to the usual aisles of hair care products and incontinence medicine, this one had an attached liquor store. Hard to pass up sale priced Sailor Jerry Rum and Jose Cuervo, especially when you know you may be paying $8 to $10 for a good drink when you get to Key West. But, more on that later. By then, it was already 4:00 and we made the executive decision to do the rest of the trip non-stop, make a beeline to our hotel. That is, until I spotted the Looe Key Tiki Bar. Trop Rock fans may recognize the spot from the Howard Livingston song of the same name. It has always been one of my favorite Trop Rock tunes, so we had to stop in.

That is where we met the Most Organized Man In The World. Like Lor-E-Lei's, the LKTB was full of Parrot Heads heading for Key West. One group seemed especially animated, so I approached them and asked if I could get a picture for this blog. They cheerily obliged then, through the course of introductions, we discovered they were all members of the Ft. Myers, Florida Parrot Head Club. More than that, their defacto leader, Brett Baker, offered to show us "the book" if we would follow them to their next stop, which happened to be almost right across the street at Boondocks.

Running late, we agreed to make the unscheduled visit after being told by his travel mates, Jimbo and Tracy, that this was not just any book. This was THE BOOK.

They weren't kidding. This was the most thoroughly researched, anally organized and painstakingly cross referenced organizational plan I had ever seen. Not just a color coded schedule of bands playing MOTM, but a complete list of bars between Miami and Mile Marker 0, the daily specials offered at those bars, and even the best food choices. Then, there was the schedule. Not only which bars were to be visited, but at what specific times, and for how long - along the proscribed route. This was a man on a mission, and that mission was to make sure he - and anyone travelling with him - squeezed every last drop of fun out of the 4 or 5 days they would be in Southernmost Florida. After basking in the glow of "the book" for a while, and talking to a recently transplanted Cape Cod-ian at the Boondocks bar (Me: "Why did you move down the Keys?" Him: "Why not?") we also discovered that Brett had an interesting business, selling "beer beads". That is, New Orleans style Mardi Gras beads, with bottle tops from your favorite brew crimped all along their length. before I could say "I'd love one of those!" Brett had his tailgate open and was handing me a set of Corona beer beads.

Next: Night number one in Key West.

Trop Rock Artist Spotlight: Jeff Pike and A1A

1984 began with the introduction of the Apple Mac and ended with Band Aid's “Do You Know It’s Christmas” single. In between, Michael Jackson found out hair spray and pyrotechnics don’t mix, the Tigers beat the Padres in the World Series, Ronald Reagan beat Walter Mondale for President of the US and the Space Shuttle Challenger made its first landing at Kennedy Space Center. George Orwell wrote about it, David Bowie sang about it. An interesting year, to say the least. And, on October 24th of that year, another little piece of history – at least as far as Parrot Heads are concerned - was taking place at a small barbecue joint called Jilly's Ribs in Atlanta, GA. That's the night a 22 year old guitarist, keyboard player, and one-time award winning barbershop quartet singer named Jeff Pike stepped up to the mic and launched a solo career that would lead to the founding of A1A – “The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show” - putting the young musician squarely in the middle of Parrothead history.

From a musical family (his mother played piano and organ) Jeff’s first musical memories go back to hearing Harry Belafonte records being played around the house in the early 60’s. Music continued to be a large part of his life through the late 70’s, from singing in grade school glee club and choir, to playing guitar in a high school rock band. In 1978, Jeff and one of his high school buddies formed an acoustic duo, performing material from the top singer/songwriters of the day, like Jackson Browne, Don McLean and – Jeff’s personal favorite at the time - Dan Fogelberg. His life would change forever when he first heard the Buffett live album “You Had To Be There”, recorded earlier that same year at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Jeff dropped the needle on the song “Captain and the Kid” and the rest, as they say, is history. Ironically, Jeff had given up his tickets to see the show to go see a girl.

College and a series of bands followed until 1984, when Jeff decided to strike out solo. The Jilly’s gig only paid $35 a night but the experience was priceless. Not only was it his  first “professional” solo performance, but it also found him starting to add Jimmy Buffett tunes to his repertoire – including some of those songs he had heard on that live concert album six years earlier.

Cut to 1988. Returning from the road following another stint with a cover band, Jeff once again decided to go the solo route. For the next year, he performed around the Atlanta area as a one-man band, using recently acquired drum programming skills for backing percussion and incorporating more and more of Jimmy Buffett’s music in his show. He also started seeing larger and larger crowds come out to hear Jimmy’s tall tales of sailing ships and sandy beaches. It was during one of those shows that he came across a newspaper ad calling Buffett fans in the Atlanta area to come together to “Party with a Purpose”. The ad, it turned out, had been placed by Scott Nickerson, a fellow musician and major Buffett fan in Atlanta. The two got together, became fast friends, and before you can say “Pencil Thin Moustache”, Jeff’s one man Buffett show became a two man tribute to Jimmy -  arguably the first “Trop Rock” act ever. It also began the worldwide phenomenon known as the Parrot Head Nation, as Scott went on to form the Atlanta Parrot Head Club - the first club of it's kind in the world. In 1991 Scott and Jeff picked up the name A1A (details on the exact date and who came up with the name are still fuzzy). and the next year won a Margaritaville Records-sponsored Jimmy Buffett sound-alike contest.

Scott called it quits in 2002, but Jeff and A1A continued on and, since then, have released a number of CDs. “Ship Happens” came out in 2003, followed by 2008's “Beachwrecked” – along with a pair of live cds: "A1A - Live" (featuring long time Coral Reefer Greg "Fingers" Taylor and produced by current CR bass player “Uncle” Jim Mayer), and “A1A and Friends - Live at Hemingways”. In 2002, Jeff and friends, going by the name Vertical Smile, released another rowdy and raucous live cd. Recorded at The Keys Bar in Montgomery, Alabama, the disc includes both original material and hilarious parody versions of Jimmy Buffett songs ("Tuck It In Second Chin", "Parrothead Saturday Night") and classic rock hits ("Don't Stop Drinking Until Tomorrow"). Through the years, Jeff has also appeared on stage with Jimmy Buffett, in Jimmy's video for "Fruitcakes", and was a featured soloist on Jimmy's "Barometer Soup Radio Special CD".

More recently, A1A sold out several nights at the Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia in 2010. One of those nights was recorded and is being mixed down for release as a live cd. The final disc will include an hour of all-original Jeff Pike/A1A material, plus a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" and is expected to hit the streets in April or May of this year. And, last but not least, Referettee Nadirah Shakoor enlisted Jeff and the band to provide back up music for some of her solo dates back in 2009 and, rumor has it, that Jeff and Nadirah have been in talks recently to do some more co-headling dates in 2011. Keep an eye on this site for more details soon. 

 For a full discography, including Jeff's solo cds, and more info on Jeff or A1A you can check out any of the following websites… www.a1a-live.com, www.jeffpikemusic.com, www.jeffpike.com, or www.facebook.com/TheJeffPike