Florida Keys Weekly Podcast

Renowned political columnist and author Eugene Robinson took a moment to join the podcast to discuss his latest book, "Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America." The Pulitzer Prize-winner also dove into the current state of media, including his recent departure from the Washington Post where he served as associate editor. Robinson's visit to the southernmost city was also in suppor...

Peyton Porter is a rising music star who has already played the Grand Ole Opry, while sharing stages with names like Wille Nelson and Tim McGraw. As her star ascends, Porter visited Key West this past January and took some time on our podcast to discuss road life, navigating the Nashville scene and how her small town Georgia roots keep her grounded throughout the journey. Porter is joined by "Coac...

From Tyler Childers, Whiskey Myers, The Red Clay Strays and Jason Isbell- some  of the biggest names in music have come through Key West at Mile 0 Fest. As the "red dirt" festival returns for a seventh year, founder Kyle Carter joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss the festival's magic formula of stars and upcoming talent, including this year's list of mind-blowing artists that fea...

For the second edition of the “On The Rock” podcast, Mark Hedden speaks with Emily Schulten. Schulten is a classic Key West multi-hyphenate – a poet who has published three books, a professor, a Fulbright Scholar, and the reigning poet laureate of Key West. We talked about the perks of the poet laureate gig, playing David Brubeck records on Jack Keruoac’s hifi, donating a k...

Mark Hedden kicks off the first edition of his "On the Rock" podcast with one of the most beloved people in the Florida Keys. Farmer Jeanne Selander, of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm (commonly referred to as "the jail zoo") joins the show to discuss her career spanning over 20 years. From kinkajous, sloths, ponies, alligators and more, the jail zoo boasts one of the most unique ja...

Duane Betts carries a legacy forged by his father (the legendary Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band) while forging his own path of soul-stirring blues blends, raw passion and six-string mastery. Joined by his band, Palmetto Motel, Betts plays The Key West Theater on May 15. Britt Myers is joined by Josh Mothner on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast, as they chat with Betts on what it was like g...

Eli Pancamo's living room, now a makeshift office, is a polemical museum dedicated to counterculture. Works from artists like Erik Foss, Captain Outrageous and Bast hang with a story behind each piece.  To his right, a pinball machine from Key West’s Star Roller Rink backs up to the late Shel Silverstein’s piano—something Pancamo taught himself to play over the past several...

Brett Young's piercing eyes and 6'6 athletic frame is the prototype for a Hollywood set. Instead, the family man and country star made a run at professional baseball before an elbow injury took him down his journey as a singer-songwriter. Today, the music icon has recorded six number 1 hits and doesn't appear to be slowing down. Young joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss his love for m...

CW Colt tried to retire after a celebrated career playing music across the globe. But just a few years after he set down his guitar, a dream pulled Colt back into music. This time, his passion extends beyond the need for a paycheck. Instead, the renowned journeyman has a vision for the world to "Be Love." To ignite his revelation of love, Colt wants to spread Key West's "One Human Family" way of l...

LT Mark "JABA" Buck knows his way around F/A-18 Super Hornet. And on March 29 & 30th, he will join the Southernmost Air Spectacular airshow in Key West, alongside others who have earned right to call themselves the best pilots in the world--including the celebrated Blue Angels. LT Buck carried out three deployments onboard the USS Ronald Reagan and is currently an instructor pilot, teaching F/...

Debbie Gibson plays the Key West Theater on Feb 16. As a teen, she became one of the most iconic singer songwriters of the late 80's, with her debut album, "Out of the Blue" going triple platinum behind songs like "Foolish Beat." She became the youngest female to write and produce a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, which still stands to this day. Britt Myers catches up with Gibson on what it was like...

One of the world’s most recognized and authentic comedians, Paula Poundstone, returns to Key West on Jan 9 at the Key West Theater. Hailed for her improv and “never doing the same act twice,” Poundstone has trailblazed a path in her industry for over four decades. This includes her her acclaimed HBO series, standups, acting and mainstream commentary.   And yet, it is Poundst...

One of the most influential bands in American music history performs Dec. 7 at Key West Theater.  The Kingston Trio, a legacy band that carries the torch for one of the most influential musical movements in modern history, blending calypso, folk, bluegrass and rock themes into the Americana mainstream, performs Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Key West Theater. Keys Weekly's Britt Myers and Mandy Miles cat...

How does Badfish, the Sublime tribute band, continue to capture the music of a timeless moment, while maintaining sold-out shows and growing popularity for over a quarter century? For founder Scott Begin it’s simple — have a blast while staying true to the music of Sublime. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, one of Key West’s most popular bands returns to the Key West Theater. Britt Myers catches up with Scot...

Who can say they’ve starred alongside Rowan Atkinson, landed roles with Mel Brooks and was cast on Saturday Night Live? Pamela Stephenson Connolly. She is making an indelible and unforgettable mark on Key West's cultural scene with celebrated international dancers and Emmy-nominated talent performing with her Key West International Dance Company/Pasion Project. The company is in the midst of four...

They were signed by Jimmy Buffett’s label. They inked a three-year residency at the Palms Casino and have been shooting music videos with Mario Lopez. Yachtley Crew has officially launched a Yacht Rock revival across the globe. The seven-piece themed band brings its “Full Steam Ahead” tour to Key West on Oct. 29 at the Key West Theater. Britt Myers catches up with lead vocalist Phillip “Philly Oce...

He’s an internationally renowned DJ, a Miami style icon and the pregame opener for the Miami Heat for the past seven years. But perhaps the most intriguing facet of DJ Cardi is his humility. This is no small feat for someone who just returned from working a private gig for Dakota Johnson at the Toronto Film Festival. But catering to A-list stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or regularly performing at th...

Martin Dube and Steve Diamond join the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss their stop at the Key West Theater on Sept 22. The duo, professionally known as Dube Diamond: Dueling Impersonators, take over the Key West Theater for an evening of comedy, pageantry and mind-blowing talent. Larry King referred to the act as “a must see,” as they perform (often in character) dozens of the world’s most r...

Awaken: The Music of YES promises to be the tribute band of the summer.  Joe Luca, keyboardist and band leader of Awaken: The Music of YES, joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss their upcoming show on Sept 5 at the Key West Theater. Luca discusses how he and his band embarked on the journey of preserving the legacy of YES, as they tour and perform the legendary band's songs that span mo...

Musician Tim Williams joined Keys Weekly digital editor Gwen Filosa on the Key West Side Tracks podcast for a deep dive on one of the most endearing and enduring albums of the past half century: August and Everything After by Counting Crows.  The Tim Williams Band is headed to the Key West Theater on Monday, Aug. 12, to perform August and 30 Years After : A Counting Crows Tribute.  Tim arrived in...

Liza Jane , a singer-songwriter from Key West, is currently living in Los Angeles where she writes songs, performs and works on a career that has taken off with hits, music videos and live shows -- including playing Hollywood's Viper Room and Troubadour.  She started singing at age 2 and never looked back, later becoming a classically trained musician who lived in Nashville before moving to L.A. T...

Joy Nulisch , of Key West, is a true "Conch," as those born and raised on the island are known. She joined Gwen to talk about the legendary, near-professional level of the Key West High School Conch baseball program, the island's tight-knit, familial community that welcomes tourists and transplants without hesitation, adopting her dog, Tito, and what it's like retiring from the Monroe County Schoo...

Director Noah Salzman and actor Germain Arroyo join Gwen to talk about their film ' Clocked' (2023) , the story of Adolfo, an 18-year-old Puerto Rican boxer who fears being accepted as transgender by his conservative Catholic family. 'Clocked,' at its heart a sweet film about family ties and self-acceptance, has made the film festival rounds, including in Key West, Miami and Sedona, to rave review...

The Bubbas are back, and it's time to nominate your favorite Key West restaurants, bars, businesses, musicians, artists, attractions and community notables for the 11th annual people's choice awards.  On this episode, publisher Britt Myers, Key West Weekly editor Mandy Miles and advertising director Stephanie Mitchell answer readers' questions about the nominating process.  Nominations are open on...

Florida Keys Film Commissioner Chad Newman joins Gwen to talk about Hollywood's long-term relationship with the Keys.   The much-anticipated Bad Monkey , based on the Carl Hiaasen novel, was shot in Key West. Starring Vince Vaughn and produced by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), the 10-episode comedy series premieres Aug. 14 on Apple TV. Key West Side Tracks is produced by the Keys Weekly New...