For the second edition of the “On The Rock” podcast, Mark Hedden speaks with Emily Schulten. Schulten is a classic Key West multi-hyphenate – a poet who has published three books, a professor, a Fulbright Scholar, and the reigning poet laureate of Key West. We talked about the perks of the poet laureate gig, playing David Brubeck records on Jack Keruoac’s hifi, donating a kidney, writing a book of poetry about donating a kidney, sharks in bottles, and how she got to Key West in the first place. 

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Mark Hedden kicks off the first edition of his "On the Rock" podcast with one of the most beloved people in the Florida Keys. Farmer Jeanne Selander, of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm (commonly referred to as "the jail zoo") joins the show to discuss her career spanning over 20 years. From kinkajous, sloths, ponies, alligators and more, the jail zoo boasts one of the most unique jail programs on the globe. Approaching retirement, Selander recounts riding out Hurricane Irma alone in a jail with 150 animals, tips on how to catch alligators and which sloths are ok to pet.  

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Duane Betts carries a legacy forged by his father (the legendary Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band) while forging his own path of soul-stirring blues blends, raw passion and six-string mastery. Joined by his band, Palmetto Motel, Betts plays The Key West Theater on May 15. Britt Myers is joined by Josh Mothner on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast, as they chat with Betts on what it was like growing up with legendary musicians, flying around the Keys as a child with his father and Don Johnson in a helicopter, along with upcoming projects with iconic producer Dave Cobb. Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel show is an unforgettable journey that no music lover should miss. For more visit thekeywesttheater.com. 

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Eli Pancamo's living room, now a makeshift office, is a polemical museum dedicated to counterculture. Works from artists like Erik Foss, Captain Outrageous and Bast hang with a story behind each piece.  To his right, a pinball machine from Key West’s Star Roller Rink backs up to the late Shel Silverstein’s piano—something Pancamo taught himself to play over the past several months. His surroundings are a symbolic reflection to the juxtaposition of his psyche—both as an artist and intellectualist. During his rise as a notable restauranteur in Key West, Eli avoided the meritocratic path to success. His natural tendency is the road less traveled, where every failure and success are utilized as creative fuel. So it came as no surprise when he privately shared with me he was dabbling in AI (or Artificial Intelligence) and invited me over to showcase a platform he believes can change the world.

Pictured: Eli Pancamo reads from Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" from his Seminary Street home in Key West. 

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Brett Young's piercing eyes and 6'6 athletic frame is the prototype for a Hollywood set. Instead, the family man and country star made a run at professional baseball before an elbow injury took him down his journey as a singer-songwriter. Today, the music icon has recorded six number 1 hits and doesn't appear to be slowing down. Young joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss his love for music and family, while juggling a career from the road. For remaining tickets visit thekeywestamp.com to see Brett Young live on March 8th from the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. 

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CW Colt tried to retire after a celebrated career playing music across the globe. But just a few years after he set down his guitar, a dream pulled Colt back into music. This time, his passion extends beyond the need for a paycheck. Instead, the renowned journeyman has a vision for the world to "Be Love." To ignite his revelation of love, Colt wants to spread Key West's "One Human Family" way of life across the world. With tears of gratitude and joy throughout, Colt joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to share his vision. 

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LT Mark "JABA" Buck knows his way around F/A-18 Super Hornet. And on March 29 & 30th, he will join the Southernmost Air Spectacular airshow in Key West, alongside others who have earned right to call themselves the best pilots in the world--including the celebrated Blue Angels. LT Buck carried out three deployments onboard the USS Ronald Reagan and is currently an instructor pilot, teaching F/A-18 tactics. We caught up with LT Buck on his career in the Navy, what it was like to live at sea during a pandemic and whether Hollywood "gets it right" when depicting the men and women inside the cockpit. Listen here on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast and please visit Keywestairshow.com for more on the Southernmost Spectacular, March 29-30.  

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Debbie Gibson plays the Key West Theater on Feb 16. As a teen, she became one of the most iconic singer songwriters of the late 80's, with her debut album, "Out of the Blue" going triple platinum behind songs like "Foolish Beat." She became the youngest female to write and produce a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, which still stands to this day. Britt Myers catches up with Gibson on what it was like to emerge and be discovered before social media, the female artists she admires today and her love for Broadway & the big screen. For tickets visit: thekeywesttheater.com and be on the lookout for Debbie's new memoir, "Eternally Electric" in September of 25. 

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One of the world’s most recognized and authentic comedians, Paula Poundstone, returns to Key West on Jan 9 at the Key West Theater. Hailed for her improv and “never doing the same act twice,” Poundstone has trailblazed a path in her industry for over four decades. This includes her her acclaimed HBO series, standups, acting and mainstream commentary.

And yet, it is Poundstone’s nonconforming style that is indigenous to her approach to comedy. Honest and raw –and yet relatable and lovable. The Florida Keys Weekly Podcast caught up with Poundstone before she arrives in Key West, For ticket information visit thekeywesttheater.com

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One of the most influential bands in American music history performs Dec. 7 at Key West Theater. 

The Kingston Trio, a legacy band that carries the torch for one of the most influential musical movements in modern history, blending calypso, folk, bluegrass and rock themes into the Americana mainstream, performs Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Key West Theater.Keys Weekly's Britt Myers and Mandy Miles catch up with the trio for the latest episode of the Florida Keys Weekly podcast. They discuss the band's historic feats of record-breaking hits and album sales; the Beatles opening for the trio and their influence on Bob Dylan and the folk revival of the early '60s. Many argue the Kingston Trio transformed modern American music alongside pioneers such as Elvis Presley, BB King and The Beach Boys — blending sounds and genres that forever changed how music was performed and marketed. Mike Marvin, Tim Gorelangton and Buddy Woodward represent the group today, performing hits like “Tom Dooley” and "MTA" while reminiscing with nostalgic stories of growing up around the original trio. Don’t miss the podcast, which drops some breaking news (spoiler alert) on a potential upcoming Netflix miniseries on the Kingston Trio. Some tickets remain at thekeywesttheater.com.

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