I think our Valerie deserves a week off once in a while, so I volunteered to take her place this week. I did have an ulterior motive. Did you go to the Florida Fruit Festival in Bayview Park last week? I did. It was a wonderful event, and one of the things that made it so was the music.
During lunch time, noon till one, we were entertained by none other that Valerie and Gary Chase, known as the Gary Chase Due or Band, depending on the number of players.
This was a duo day. I was reminded of many pleasant hours at the Ocean Key House way back when they first opened. Gary and Valerie played there for 18 months. Their music then and last week was mostly original. These are fine song writers. They began with their signature song, "Tropical Nights", which I've always loved. It is so romantic. This was followed by "You and the Nightwind and Me", which they actually wrote in Nashville about a sailboat they planned to buy when they retired down here in the Keys. It was a chance booking that brought them here much sooner.
Hemingway Days inspired "The Moon Also Rises", a haunting reggae flavored song. Gary Chase has a wonderful voice. He had two records released before the accident that almost killed him in, of all places, Hazzard, Kentucky. His record label days were shelved, but he was able to continue performing. He plays guitar, and Valerie, who also sings, plays keyboards. They did some newer songs I hadn't heard. "She's Caught the Wind" is a gem. It had everyone moving, some dancing. Valerie sang "Ode To Billy Joe". She also has a good voice and really sells a song.
The hits kept coming, "Rednecking" is a country romp. "I Can Feel Another Sad Song Coming On" will be a standard, if I'm any kind of judge. "Hurricane Mary" is infectious and fun, but it was another new one that was the piece de resistance, "Oh, Senorita", which made every Latin heart beat stronger. This one should go far.
When the Chase duo plays, people smile and often dance. That must be why they have had such a long run in Key West.
Do they miss Nashville, the recording industry, or the road? Not at all! Their music is all inclusive, rock, country, standards, island, Latin, whatever you want. Thanks for the memories, guys, you were great!