Thanks largely to dating two women who love music, the past 12 months have been my most intense music education since the 60s. First and foremost is the Buckingham Blues Bar, an amazing (and amazingly inexpensive) bar/club that hosts some first-rate blues jams twice a week. Ooma introduced me to The Buck and I am beholden to her for that. But Marlene loves the place too and when brother-in-law Ray visited recently I had to take him there. He loved it too.
The jam is mostly some regular local musicians – all with their own bands who mostly play rock – who get together for some blues twice a week. And every now and then there are guest appearances by some touring musicians. On the night I took Ray there, Bobby Capps from 38 Special sat in on keyboards.
In addition to hosting great music, it also is home to a mule that loves beer.
Fort Myers also is home to MusicWalk, a once-a-month event in which downtown Fort Myers is cordoned off and music groups – some soloists but mostly bands of 5 or more pieces – set up and play for free. Dancing is encouraged and Marlene and I don’t need much encouragement. The event was cancelled due to the pandemic and then Hurricane Ian but is now back in full force. The event drew a HUGE crowd this month – probably more than 50,000 people.
Marlene has introduced me to many of the local night clubs, too. I have learned to appreciate the wide variety of talented musicians who call Southwest Florida home. One of the best is Deb and the Dynamics who have been playing for free in Cape Coral every Wednesday night. This draws a smaller crowd – maybe 1,000 – but the music is fine and everyone dances.