What's Hot

C.W. Colt & The Conch Republic Royal Minstrels

There was no question about what was hot last weekend at the end of the Conch Republic Celebration, it was C.W. Colt. C.W. and his band, dubbed the Conch Republic Royal Minstrels nearly burned down the Green Parrot Saturday afternoon, and then repeated the performance Sunday afternoon at Schooner Wharf.

John Vagnoni held his annual Tune Or Die Old Time Fiddler's Contest Saturday, and it was happy mayhem. The afternoon started off with Murphy's Law, a family bluegrass band from Coconut Creek. Mama played guitar or iron triangle, while Dad played guitar or fiddle. The eleven year old twin brother and sister carried the melodies on their fiddles, and they were talented and adorable. Shane played rub board on a Cajun tune while sister played the iron triangle, which has a unique percussive sound. Their French was great, and what a vote and statement for family values. Mom told me they started playing so the family would have something fun to do together!

Then, as promised, the Minstrels stormed the stage. C.W. began with banjo (he was known as banjo Billy when he was starting out), the Alien Doug played his usual brilliant bass and sang perfect harmony, Harold Harms played percussion like a drum kit, Vinnie Marturano blew beautiful trumpet, and Fiddlin' Red and Jay Roberts set the woods on fire with their fiddle virtuosity. I'm not shining you on, people; these two are both State of Florida fiddle champions.

We heard bluegrass and country classics, and you had to jump out of the way when that "Orange Blossom Special" roared down the tracks. It was dueling fiddles all the way to Georgia. Let me tell you about the C.W. Colt Band. If you were around for last year's celebration you'll remember when Badfinger appeared and blew us all away. It was like having the Beatles play. Well the level of professionalism was exactly the same with C.W. Colt and company. This band could open for the Stones and make them worry. Every tune is perfectly sung, played, written, and produced by guys who love what they do. It doesn't get any better. Classics like "Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms" became new again.

But let's move on over to Schooner Wharf on hangover Sunday. There wasn't a clear eye in the place. C.W. and the guys played a Colt original, "Come On, Jack Daniels" which will go number one. Trust me! The crowd came to life. A commemorative cassette with three songs from the band's forthcoming album was sold for Habitat For Humanity. Only 100 were recorded, so if you want one, let me know. C.W. played acoustic guitar for this show most of the time. Colt is one of those musicians who can do no wrong, like Marty Stuart. His singing and picking have star quality, and his songs are dynamite. One, a driving piece of country funk says, "When God made rhythm, he gave me the blues." Keep your feet still to this one! Fiddlin' Red plays smoking electric guitar too. Jay Roberts couldn't stay over. I think the song that will be the first single will be "Sending You My Love From Key West." This one tells a tale about the time when Jimmy Buffett opened for C.W. at a golf tournament in Denver. I loved "Little White lie," which had a hot yet lazy Caribbean feel with some great chord changes. This one is also a hit. Then we heard a punchy, bluesy tune, "I Can't Stand It." The band was on another plane altogether here, maybe the one the Alien comes from? C.W. did honor to Michael McCloud and Van Morrison. His only covers were Mike's wonderful "Rumba Man" and Van's "Into the Mystic". C.W. Colt can play absolutely any style of music, and probably a tad better than anyone else.

But let's backtrack to the Parrot and the Fiddle Contest. Fiddlin' Red took first place, Jay Roberts second, and eleven year old Shane third. The prize was a hundred dollars toward a fiddle. Red gave the prize to Shane, claiming, "He deserves it." That's the kind of weekend it was, and that's the kind of people who played. We couldn't have asked for better. When the C.W. Colt Band returns, go see him. I love it when you owe me big time, and believe me, you will! Stay Cool.

Key West The Newspaper

09-19-97

C. W. Colt Plays "Caribbean Country"

By: Valerie Ridenour

If you attended the Jimmy Dean Country Music Contest last season, you already know about C.W. Colt. He won the contest against some stiff competition, and would probably have won the regional and national contests as well if the radio station sponsoring the event had honored their promise to get the band to the next level. They reneged, so C.W. had to settle for the Keys win. C.W. Colt is a star. I can't say when, but I know it will happen. Talent like his can't stay hidden.

C.W. Colt is one of the best, maybe the best country singer these very Nashville experienced ears have ever heard. Not only can he sing rings around most, he's also a fine song writer, and plays fantastic guitar. For most gigs he uses one other player, a bassist straight from heaven, or at least another galaxy, the Alien Doug. These two men make music that sounds like a record. The arrangements, production, and balance are a producer's dream. The style is a wonderful blend of island spirit and country sensibility I call Caribbean country. C.W. began with an original, "All My Love From Key West". The Alien's vocal harmony was exquisite, laid just behind the lead vocal, right where it should be. This is an energetic, loping calypso tune in a Jimmy Buffett vein.

Estes Park, Colorado's Mr. Colt also plays five string banjo that's hotter than a two dollar pistol. Another original, "My Mama Was An Alligator" is a get down boogie tune. The guitar smokes. The bass shoots sparks. Then a more sensitive song, "The Best Thing" showed C.W. can finger pick with the best. As a matter of fact he has picked with the best, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Buffett, Bo DIDDLEY, Waylon Jennings, and Marty Robbins, to name a few. His 1960 Guild rings like a bell.

"Come On Jack Daniels" is a smash hit. I can envision every country act from Travis Tritt to Alan Jackson putting this one on their albums. As the saying goes, this tune kicks major butt and takes no prisoners. There's a reason C.W. Colt used to play the Denver Bronco's parties. The man does brilliant work. My favorite is another Caribbean flavored number, "Melody Of the Moon". If this one doesn't make you romantic, lay down. You're dead! You can find C.W. Colt Saturday night at the Old Islander on Front Street, and at the Turtle Kraals, Captain Tony's, Hammerhead's, and other venues frequently. He and the Alien Doug will join a bunch of us playing the Key West Critter Patrol's benefit Sunday at the animal shelter. If there's a tad of country in your soul, you owe it to yourself to check him out. Stay cool.