The Key West Collection 2012

Three of our NEW songs!

Advice from an Old Sailor



Big Thunder



Beach Life

"Some people have asked me what Trop Rock is . . . well, Don Middlebrook's Beach Life nails it for me!"
                                      - Julie Vogan, Mesa AZ

Advice from an Old Sailor:

Inspired by the S.S. Keewatin, the Saugatuck/Douglas, MI landmark of forty-five years, that recently pulled out of port to find its new home in Canada.

This song is a toast to the good life! Don’t forget to have a fun life - always easier to do with love in your life!

Big Thunder:

After the Meeting of the Minds Parrothead week in Key West in 2011, Don and Laurie stayed on a week to check out the power boat races. During the days preceding the races, they kept running into one of the crewmembers of the Missouri boat, Big Thunder. He eagerly educated them on the teamwork and culture that flourishes among those dedicated to power boating. It seemed that every night the conversation picked up where it left off the night before – as it happens for many that frolic Key West. He informed them that the regular rescue boat hadn’t made it down from Miami, but the Big Thunder’s owner had been so prudent as to hire a helicopter and a Navy Seal to be on stand-by. That night he shared stories of teamwork and his love for the sport . . .  and of his love for the captains and crew of Big Thunder.

The next day when a boat lost control at the races and flipped over, Don, Laurie and their Seattle Parrothead friends stood in disbelief. As a helicopter appeared from the sky, hearts sank.   Everyone felt the panic and heartbreak of Big Thunder.

This song is a tribute to those two boat captains that lost their lives and to the Missouri hearts that were broken that day.

Beach Life:

On a much lighter note, sometimes we disappear into paradise . . .

then, the phone rings.