Charlie’s Beat

“I’ve been meaning to record an album for quite some time,” relates Tony Manfredi, currently of Marathon Key in far southern Florida. “This friend of mine tells me about a guy he knows up in Indiana by the name of Brent Evans, used to be my friend’s brother-in-law. My friend says, Brent is the guy! He will do you right.

“So here I am, sitting in the warm southern Florida sun, thinking about traveling up to Indiana in the middle of winter to record an album about the glories and mysteries of living in the Keys. And I thought, well, my grandma was originally from Terre Haute so I have some roots there. What the heck, sounds like a plan!”

When I caught up with Tony a few weeks ago, he had just flown in from Florida with plans to record about 10 songs in two days at Brent Evans’ Madison Music Studio on Second Street, across from the old JayC store. He took a few moments from recording to tell me his story.

“I’m originally from Stuart, Florida, which is on the mainland, up the east coast a ways north of Boca Raton and Palm Beach. I’m a construction and remodeling guy by day. When I was about 31 years old I picked up the guitar for the first time and started writing songs. About three years ago I moved down to Marathon Key and started playing in the bars around there.

“I try to write songs that capture the magic and spirit of life in the Keys. A lot of people pay a lot of money to come all the way down here and vacation and hang out. My hope is that my songs will give them a little bit of that feeling that they paid for. I want to help them achieve that moment of bliss they were seeking when they came to the Keys.

“I like to say the color of the water down there is the color of people’s souls. Something about the place just moves people in a special way. We like to call it ‘The Keys Disease’. Folks come down and get infected with it, and they don’t want to go home. But of course, they eventually do have to go home. But they want to take a little piece of it back with them.

“That’s kind of what this recording session is all about. I must have had ten thousand people over the years hear me play and ask ‘Where can I buy your music? I want to take it home and listen to it.’

“My songs are about the crazy characters who inhabit this remote string of islands down here. They’re about the sun and the breeze and the sand and the water. It’s hard to describe the pace and the style of life down here. But if you visit you will feel it. And if you listen to my songs you’ll get a little taste of what it’s like.”

When I last checked with Evans at Madison Music Studio, he told me that he and Tony got all the vocal tracks laid down to their satisfaction, with Tony strumming his six-string. Now Brent will go in and add layers and texture to the tracks, to give it that fuller, more professional sound.

I would encourage anyone with any level of musical ambition to talk to Brent about your ideas and dreams. He is a pro-level multi-instrumentalist and experienced recording engineer who can take your songs and make them sound amazing. Even if all you want to do is sing, Brent can do the rest.

I spent several sessions last year recording a favorite pop song that I wanted to try, and it was truly one of the more memorable experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to do it again!

Hot Tip of the Week

The music calendar looks a little thin this week, but I didn’t hear from The Central, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they have some live music scheduled for the weekend. Definitely pop your head in there if you are out and about. As usual, Rivertown Grill is killing it, with music most nights of the week. But the one I’m very excited about is Thomas Family Winery. They are back after their usual winter break, and they are kicking things off with their annual Pajama Party, featuring the music of Mike Oberst (of The Tillers) along with Eli Bidel. That will be the place to be Saturday night.