Brian O'Neill 1955-2005, Bonerama Trombonist

While browsing the Bonerama website I was shocked to see the news of the passing of trombonist Brian O'Neill. A charter member of the New Orleans band, he was a friendly and gentle man and before one of his Parrot gigs I particularly remember him taking the time to chat up a few young musicians in the audience, asking them what instruments they played and what their taste was in music. He was very enthusiastic about his craft and appeared eager to pass it on whenever he had a chance, a good example being an afternoon clinic they staged for the Key West High School band. He seemed always ready to "give some back".

Burner and Helene

Willie the Burner, sporting what he says is a much-admired vintage Parrot T shirt takes a moment to have an O'Doul's and grab some quality time with Helene.

Them Golden Slippers

This turned up the other morning in the bar with the other detritus of the previous night's frivolities. Being born and raised in Philadelphia and a veteran observer of many Mummer's Parades and the drunken brouhaha that accompanies the event, I had heard that fifty or so Mummers were in town and realized at once that we had been infiltrtated by some members of The Jokers Mummers Club and they had left their calling card. We will indeed watch for them in the parade on New Years Day.

A Face Only a Mother Could Love

It had to come sooner or later and today's mail, along with Guitar Shorty's wishes for the holiday season, came Beaver's brother Tim's annual Christmas postcard. What can I say. I'm just surprised that there's not some sort of Postal Police or something that would regulate this sort of thing. Go Sox Indeed.

Separated at Birth?

Here's an interesting photo that appeared on the office wall the other day. This would be our own Kenny with rocker Alice Cooper. When we asked Kenny how it went meeting the Metal icon Kenny confesssed that he was at a loss for words so just told him, "My mother still hates you"

Guitar Shorty Sends Belated Christmas Greetings

This card came in today's mail. A Greeting for all of us Parrot folk from Alligator Records artist Guitar Shorty. Shorty is well known for his classic blues licks and his stage acrobatics. He also is reknowned as Jimi Hendrix brother-in-law and for winning the Gong Show. In addition he is a fine and gentle man. I remember him as the guy who called me up from somewhere on the road, trying to find his way to Key West and asked, "John, where am I?". I told him, "Shorty, I don't know, look out the window."

Al's Packin'

Looking through some old family photos this Christmas morning we came acroos this group shot of some of the men in our family taken on Christmas some years ago. left to right: my uncle Johnny, my uncle Dick, my uncle Carmen, my father Al and my grandfather John. I can tell it's Christmas by the toy flintlock pistol jammed into my dad's waistband.

Can I Get A Leg Up Here?

This would be Alice in Wonderland, a Great Dane visiting from Vermont, being greeted at the door by our own pint-size Fergie and truth be known, Fergie is slightly less than pint-size.

Bollitos!

What better way for a kid to kick off his Christmas vacation than a search for a christmas wreath that begins, not uncoincidentally, with a detour to a nearby corner cuban grocery for a cafe con leche (for dad) and a bag of hot, fresh bollos (pronounced boy-os) or bollitos, (literally little balls), those crispy, garlicky balls of deep-fried batter made made of flour,ground-up chick peas, cumin and garlic. It's apparent this isn't health food when, after just a moment, the bag tranporting them becomes nearly transparent. But hey, split a cuban mix on the ride to the M.A.R.C. House and it's hard for a day that begins like this to go south.

Green Parrot Christmas Party

As we speak the Parrot Chritmas Party is in full swing, (as is Pat). Secret Santa and her Elf survey the crowd, A Santa Emeritus or two are in attendance, and Buco's brother Neil from Chicago jams with Carl and Joe Pepper. More photos to follow. Merry Christmas

Moose with Santa

Vicki's Rum Balls

Vicki's Rum Balls, with each staff member having their own clearly labeled designated allotement, arrived in a timely manner today but looking less like a holiday confection than some sort of contraband worthy of postal interdiction.

Impromptu Book Signing

Rob O'Neal's Key West Photo Safari has all the earmarks of a home run as witnessed when what began as a simple errand turned into an impromptu book signing at The Parrot today.

Alice Foundation Christmas Gift Exchange

Yesterday was the Alice Foundation's big Christmas Gift Exchange and do these primates know how to party or what. The Pollyanna came off without a hitch, glasses of cheer were hoisted all around and we understand that plans were laid to hire a trolley for a Christmas field trip to take Alice and the gang to a screening of King Kong. I don't wanna miss that one. There's Alice herself bundled up in her Holiday sweater and there's Karmosh singing along with a battery operated ape, and yes Karmosh, "It is a Wonderful World".

Sonny Rhodes: "Disciple of The Blues"

Sonny Rhodes, “Disciple of the Blues” at Green Parrot

Sonny Rhodes, the world-traveled, been-there-and-done-that self-proclaimed “Disciple of The Blues” will appear at the Green Parrot Bar on Friday and Saturday, December 23rd and 24th beginning at 10 PM.
Sonny Rhodes-like BB King, Bobby Bland, Buddy Guy and dozens of other bluesmen past and present- is a road warrior. “Being out there, bringing the music to the people, is an honorable profession and this is what keeps me alive” Sonny said.
The versatile singer, songwriter and instrumentalist is know for his lap steel guitar playing and for delivering the powerful, deeply emotional raw-edged Texas blues sound that along with his gritty vocals, have been his trademark.
In 1976, Sonny was honored for his cultural contribution to the arts by The Smithstonian Institute and has been nominated numerous times for the prestigious W. C. Handy Award. Sonny’s infamous recording of “Cigarette Blues” is still regarded as one of the most powerful blues standards ever recorded. Sonny Rhodes is “The Walkin’ Blues”, a piece of music-makin’ history with stories to touch the soul.
The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center for Blues Culture of All Kinds. For additional information call 294-6133.

Green Parrot Entertainment

Green Parrot January 06 Entertainment

Friday, January 6th Tishamingo 10 PM
Saturday, January 7th Tishamingo 10 PM
Sunday, January 8th Tishamingo 10 PM

Friday, January 13th Joanna Connor 10 PM
Saturday, January 14th, Joanna Connor 10 PM
Sunday, January 15th Joanna Connor (showtimeTBA)

Wednesday, January 18th Ronnie Baker Brooks 10 PM

Friday January 20th Cosmic Sweat Society 10 PM
Saturday. January 21st Cosmic Sweat Society 10 PM

Thursday, January 26th Bryan Lee 10 PM
Friday, January 27th Bryan Lee 10 PM

Saturday. January 28st The Legendary J. C.’s 10 PM
Sunday January 29th The legendary J. C.’s 10 PM


Green Parrot February 06 Entertainment

Wednesday, Feb. 1st Annie Raines & Paul Rushell 9 PM

Thursday February 2nd Lamont Cranston 10 PM
Friday, February 3rd Lamont Cranston 10 PM

Saturday, February 4th Eric Culberson 10 PM
Sunday, 5th Eric Culberson 10 PM

Tuesday, February 7th Piper Road String Band 9 PM

Friday, February 10, Roger "Hurricane" Wilson10 PM

Saturday, February 11th Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze 10 PM
Sunday, February 12th Sweet Dadddy Cool Breeze 10 PM

Tuesday, February 14th Scott Holt 10 PM
Wednesday, February 15th Scott Holt 10 PM

Thursday, February 16th Tony O 10 PM
Friday February 17th Tony O 10 PM

Saturday. February 18th The Greyhounds 10 PM
Sunday, February 19th The Greyhounds 10 PM

Monday February 20th The Juggernaut Jug Band 10 PM
Tuesday February 21th The Juggernaut Jug Band 10 PM


Friday, February 24th Duwayne Burnside 10 PM
Saturday, February 25th Duwayne Burnside 10 PM

Tuesday, February 28th Nick Moss & The Flip Tops 10 PM

Green Parrot March 06 Entertainment

Wednesday March 1st Mark Hummel 10 PM

Friday, March 3rd Albert Castiglia and Grahan Drout 10 PM
Saturday, March 4rd Albert Castiglia and Grahan Drout 10 PM

Wednesday March 8th Jah Creation (tentative) 10 PM

Friday, March 10th Bill Perry (tentative) 10 PM
Saturday, March 11th Bill Perry (tentative) 10 PM

Friday March 17th The Fins 10 PM
Saturday. March 18th The Fins 10 PM

Friday, March 24th Jimbo Mathus Knockdown South 10 PM
Saturday, March 25th Jimbo Mathus Knockdown South 10 PM
Sunday. March 26th Jimbo Mathus Knockdown South 10 PM

Thursday, March 30th Chris Beard 10 PM
Friday, March 31st Chris Beard 10 PM

Green Parrot April ‘06 Entertainment
Saturday, April 1st,TBA

Tuesday, April 4th Corey Harris 5 x 5 band 10 PM
Wednesday, April 5th Corey Harris 5 x 5 band 10 PM

Friday, April 7th James Solberg 10 PM 10 PM
Saturday, April 8th James Solberg 10 PM 10 PM

Tuesday, April 11th Harper 10 PM
Wednesday, April 12th Harper 10 PM

Friday, April 14th Vince Welnick 10 PM
Saturday, April 15th Vince Welnick 10 PM

Sunday, April 16th Little Ed & The Blues Imperials 10 PM
Monday, April 17th Little Ed & The Blues Imperials 10 PM

Wednesday, April 19th Jason Ricci 10 PM

Thursday, April 20th Buffalo Strange 10 PM
Friday, April 21st Buffalo strange 10 PM

Saturday, April 22nd TBA

Friday, April 28th The Weary Boys 10 PM
Saturday April 29th The Weary Boys 10 PM

Christmas Sidewalk Art Show

Looking less like a sidewalk art fair than the summer olympics, Jeff, Jay and Robin kick off the festivities with their fiery preparations for their christmas paella. More photos to follow






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