If you read my news, you heard me raving about Meeting of the Minds in Key West. This is the annual Parrothead Club conference that I attended for the first time last month. I loved it! I decided to take a chance and go having only one gig booked. But thanks to some wonderful people, I ended up playing all over the place! Here are some photos (Thanks Cheri):

Here I am at Kelly McGuire's Showcase at the Lighthouse

One great thing about Meeting of the Minds and Kelly's event is that everyone is so friendly and open to people sitting in. I played harmonica everywhere! Here I am with Rob Mehl (center) and Kelly McGuire (right)

Jerry Gontang from San Diego has been a good friend for several years. He is one of the main reasons my time in Key West was so fantastic. Jerry used my guitar and played a Blues Traveler song so I could really play some harp!

I have heard the name Hugo Duarte for years and his shows at Hog's Breath are the talk of the town at Meeting of the Minds. Hugo did a few songs on Saturday and I got to play some harmonica. Hugo is in the middle, Kelly McGuire is on the right but I don't know the name of the fellow on bass.

Sunny Jim's event Sunday at the Blue Heaven is one I have heard about for many years. The stage is on the roof of the bar. Kelly McGuire let me join him on harmonica. Kelly is in the middle, Sunny Jim is on the right.

When I told Jerry Gontang that I was going to be in Key West for the week, with only one scheduled gig, he said that I could come and hang out with Stars on the Water at the Conch Republic Seafood Company. Stars on the Water is Jerry Gontag and Mike Broward. The are both fantastic musicians and wonderful people .We had fun. At least I did!

Jim Hoehn is a great songwriter, originally from Eau Claire, now living near Milwaukee. He has been a great friend and a big help to me over the years. Jerry got him up on stage at the Conch.

I mentioned that I did have one schedule gig for Meeting of the Minds and I owe a big thanks to Cindy, Barb and Dan for that. I played for the Great Lakes Meet and Greet Cruise put on by the Chicago Parrothead Club. It was supposed to be a sunset cruise but it started raining early on Thursday and rained all day. It stopped just before the cruise was to leave but there wasn't going to be any visible sunset. We went out anyway and had a great time!

Here are a couple of shots of folks getting ready to hit the water. Thanks Wendy for the photos!

Can you find Rick and Sherry in this next photo? They are the folks from the Milwaukee Parrothead Club who recommended me for this cruise and got me to go to Key West in the first place. Thanks again Rick and Sherry!

That's It! That's my trip to Key West. I'll be going back for sure!