Roger Bartlett & Emily Randle
When: November 4, 2023 6:00 PM
Where: Key West Theater - Back Stage Listening Room, 512 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040
Let's introduce Roger, the original guitarist of Jimmy Buffett's renowned Coral Reefer band. In the early days, it was just Roger and Jimmy, armed with nothing but two acoustic guitars and their exceptional vocal talents. This dynamic duo embarked on a year-long journey, captivating audiences far and wide with their intimate performances.
As their musical journey progressed and their popularity soared, largely fueled by the success of their hit song "Come Monday," it became abundantly clear that they needed to expand their musical horizons to meet the demands of larger venues. In response, Jimmy strategically added talented musicians to the mix, including Greg "Fingers" Taylor, who brought his harmonica and keyboard expertise to the group, Harry Dailey on bass, and Phillip Fajardo on drums.
But Roger's musical legacy doesn't end there. He's also known for his role as both the singer and songwriter of the iconic song "Fool for a Blonde," which featured in the classic horror movie "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Moreover, Roger's musical journey has been incredibly diverse, encompassing leadership in his own bands and serving as a lead guitarist for a multitude of artists, spanning the vibrant music scenes from New York to Las Vegas.
On another note, hailing from Chicago, we have Emily, a talented violinist with degrees from The University of Illinois and CCM (Cincinnati). Her musical journey led her to join The "Pershing's Own" Army Strings in 2003, after previous stints with The Louisville Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and The Joffrey Ballet. She secured a spot on the Baltimore Symphony Substitute Violin list in 2007, performing with them regularly for an impressive nine seasons.
Notably, Emily has been an integral part of the Key West, FL music scene for 13 years, performing during the annual "Meeting of the Minds" festival. Her connection with the trop rock and singer/songwriter circuit dates back to 2001 when she crossed paths with Peter Mayer, the lead guitarist of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. Emily's journey with Peter led her to play on various tours, alongside celebrated musicians like Jim Mayer, Roger Guth, R. Scott Bryan, Mark Holland, and Scott Kirby.
