Micah Gardner
Micah Gardner is a singer/songwriter and kayak guide who hails from the Florida Keys. Micah, a former Florida history major from University of Miami and high school teacher, has been playing and creating music for over 13 years. Ironically, the day he picked up the guitar was the day he adopted his dog Pepper who appears at shows and in many of his lyrics sometimes upstaging the musician. His original lyrics and positive island vibe have been predominately created in his “tropical hibernation”, a home in Lower Matecumbe which is named Barefoot Key. He has been voted Best Singer/Songwriter of the Upper Keys as well as being recognized for a play named “Humphrey the Manatee”, which helps raise awareness for Manatee preservation. His creative writing has brought many colorful characters to life for all his fans in and outside the Keys. Through his music and donation of time to many local charities and service events, he is recognized for taking a vested interest in the community to promote and preserve the spirit of the Keys. The style of music is coined Islandgrass which is defined by a mix of island folk, blues, reggae, and bluegrass. He has taken influences from many artists across the country in each of these genres, but his earliest influences were artists such as The Grateful Dead as well as, yes, Jimmy Buffet. Throw in Sublime, Marley, John Prine, and Dan Hicks, and you get Micah’s unique blend of music.
This year has been very exciting with airplay on the local radio stations for 5 of his original songs, placement in three TV shows to showcase his music, and a successful season of shows, sharing the stage with local, renown Hillbilly Flamenco guitarist, David Feder. As he Barstool Sails, playing most of the best local bars/restaurants in the Upper Keys, he loves sharing the Island vibe even to those who cannot be permanent residents.
During the off-season in the Florida Keys, he spends his time taking his music all over the country to friends and fans that he has met along the way each season. He usually makes stops in Virginia, Cleveland, Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oregon. This year he has added West Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle onto the map of shows. His philosophy is that if people can’t come to the Keys, he will bring a little of the tropics to them. “Create their own little paradise”!
Contact: 305.747.4714
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