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Help Save Shrimpboat Sound Studio – Action Needed

Shrimpboat sound studio in jeopardy of being torn down to create a bar. We need everyone to reach out to Historic Key West Bight Board and let them know that you want to save Shrimpboat Sound Studio and are against the Spottswoods plan to tear it down and build a bar. Contact members of the Key West Bight Management District Board and let them know how you feel before the meeting on November 12th.
https://keywestcity.granicus.com/boards/w/bc4a19a4ab01488f/boards/19982

From Ted Lund: Art Over Margaritas!: The Battle for Shrimpboat Sound and the Soul of Key West

Two visions square off over Jimmy Buffett’s old Shrimpboat Sound Studio — one led by Parrot Heads chasing art and charity, the other by developers chasing dollars and frozen drinks.

I. The Battle of Lazy Way Lane

There it squats — sun-bleached, windowless, proud — the concrete chapel of sound on Lazy Way Lane, where Jimmy Buffett once captured the heartbeat of the islands. Shrimpboat Sound: a studio turned shrine, a bunker full of echoes and stickers and stories that still hum when the wind blows right.

Now it’s silent again, waiting for resurrection or demolition by margarita. And the bureaucrats at White Street, clipboards trembling, prepare for their next civic séance — because on Nov. 12, the Historic Key West Bight Board will decide which dream to feed: art or alcohol

II. The Bernsen Doctrine: Art, Authenticity & Altruism

Enter David Bernsen, the barefoot idealist with the real-estate portfolio, trailed by troubadours and true believers — Mac McAnally, Savannah Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, LuLu Buffett, and the faithful ranks of the Coral Reefer Band.

Their offer reads like a psalm to lost Key West: restore the studio exactly as Jimmy left it — no windows, all the stickers, keep the ghosts. Pay full market rent, take no city funds, reopen as a working recording studio and community beacon.

Every note, every dollar, every souvenir sold — all profits go straight to local charities.

They aren’t pitching a business; they’re preaching a revival.

And they speak of turning Shrimpboat Sound into the modern echo of Air Studios Montserrat, George Martin’s tropical Eden where Clapton, Elton, Sting and — Buffett — once made magic before the volcano swallowed it whole. Montserrat was music in paradise until greed and geology conspired to silence it.

Bernsen’s crew wants to bring that heartbeat home — to make Key West sing again before someone builds a bar on the ruins.

III. The Hand-Delivered Gospel of Margaritas

Then come the Spottswoods, developers extraordinaire, masters of polite power. Their proposal arrives hand-delivered, sealed like scripture, with a $25,000 cashier’s check clipped to the top — tribute money to the gods of City Hall.

Their vision?

A frozen-drink and margarita bar, part retail “museum,” part blender symphony — history served with a straw.

The delivery itself drips with confidence, that familiar Key West cologne of authority and impunity that reeks of Ramsingh — a cocktail of arrogance, influence, and procedural perfume.

Inside the glossy binder: twenty seats, some fishing photos, a display case or two, and a gift-shop heartbeat. “Cultural activation,” they’ll call it. But make no mistake — it’s commerce wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

They know the rules, and they know the board.

Section 2-774 of the city code? Mastered.

Public-Private Partnership? Filed.

Political gravity? Consider it applied.

“In Key West,” a grizzled Parrot Head said, gazing across the Bight, “art’s what happens before happy hour — and greed’s what happens after.”

IV. Parrot Heads vs. Greed

So the stage is set for Nov. 12 — the Parrot Heads versus Greed, round one before the Bight Board.

On one side: barefoot believers who still think Key West can matter for more than menu prices — the dreamers, the do-gooders, the songwriters who think paradise can give back.

On the other: the blender kings, developers with impeccable résumés and salt-rimmed calculators.

It’s a morality play performed under the tiki lights: Buffett’s disciples versus Buffett’s imitators.

And the betting locals already know the odds. After the UNESCO Creative City fiasco — when the city dropped the banner of art faster than a two-for-one happy hour — it’s hard to imagine the board choosing melody over mixology.

The wind over the Bight smells like lime, tequila, and inevitability.

The stench that smells like low tide?

That would be City Hall.

Rotting from the head down.

V. Epilogue from the Bight

As the sun sinks behind Sunset Key, the studio sits in silhouette, its stickers catching the last gold light. For a heartbeat, you can almost hear Buffett’s ghost tuning up — a slow, lazy riff that sounds like the island before the noise.

The dreamers strum their guitars; the developers hand-deliver their checks.

And City Hall, bless its weary soul, will probably reach for the blender switch.

Because in Key West — as in Montserrat before the ash — the music always plays right up until someone figures out they can make more money selling the drinks.

51 thoughts on “Help Save Shrimpboat Sound Studio – Action Needed”

  3. There’s already a bar of every kind for every type of person in KW to visit. This is a one of a kind destination. You’d be doing an absolute disservice to do anything but keep it as it is. Absolute legendary and the history inside those walls should be enough to maintain it. Please don’t destroy it.

  4. It should be a historic sight and left up.si more musicians can bring their talents and magic to the world. Jane and Sunshine. Where are you in all of this?

    1. Wasn’t this building considered a historical landmark? Or so I thought it was, to my knowledge? If it is, I believe that it can’t be torn down, no?

      But I agree, it should be a studio much like Muscle Shoals Sound Studio or Abby Road Studios

  6. Shrimpboat Sound should be brought back to life as a working studio, while also preserving the memories of JB’s music.
    Key West doesn’t need another bar.

  7. KW has bars up and down every street. KW needs another bar like KW needs another hurricane. Shrimpboat Sound is a memorial to who contributed to the KW story, JB! It reminds of where JB takes us each and every time we hear his music. JB’s last wish was for us to keep playing his music. How could you ever tear down his studio for one more bar?!? Bubbles Up!

  8. Please keep shrimp boat studios as a lasting legacy to the great Jimmy Buffett. Shrimp boat should remain a working recording studio and KW landmark.

  9. Please save Shrimpboat Sound! It needs to remain a studio, or museum dedicated to Jimmy Buffett. Key West has plenty of bars already. Don’t lose the character & charm, & one of the reasons Parrotheads come to Key West.

  10. There are enough bats in competition on the Island but only 1 Jimmy Buffett, only 1 shrimp boat Studio! Save it for museum and up coming artists to record

  12. This should of been preserved and should be goung forward . Keep Shrimp boat sound . Dont take away all of old KW.

  13. Save the Shrimp boat studio. You would be amazed how much revenue it’s bringing in for tourist to just see and touch it.

  14. Are you kidding me? Are we going to completely ruin the Keys in time? Nothing is sacred there anymore! Save this!

  15. I watched the keys go so downhill since the 70s. Overpriced and over developed and you’re gonna lose all your charm. Save this historic building! Once gone, its GONE!

  17. This would be an absolute crime.
    Key west doesn’t need another bar run by some outside party
    We need to preserve Jimmy’s legacy and history to Key West

  18. Whoever has requested this demo obviously does not know, which means they have no business asking to do business in KW, how much JB means to everyone in the KW community. If they do know, which is highly unlikely by their action, they do not belong in KW. It’s that simple.

  20. Jimmy Buffett helped put Key West on the map. As a 30+ year Parrot Head, I visit and remember Jimmy every single year when I make my pilgrimage to KW for MOTM, now Trop Rockin Duval. Parrot Heads old and new visit to see this historic spot and leave with a picture like I always do. I just left there last weekend and it makes me feel like some of Jimmy’s songs. It would be a mistake to take away this special site. Please do not give in to development where Jimmy and other artists recorded music.

  21. Do not give into greed! Shrimpboat Studio is an important part of Key West history! Just like the music that had come out of this building, it reflects an important culture. Please do not erase it!

  24. I have been a lifelong Parrothead and had the pleasure of visiting this iconic building. It is history. It is a small, tangible piece of Jimmy Buffett for all of us to visit. If it is the dollar you are after, make no mistake that Jimmy Buffett’s Parrotheads still continue to flock to Key West to feel the energy and spend their money in your city. This building is one of the biggest draws for us. Please keep some cool history alive.

  25. Save the land mark. With allowing developers to keep building, you are taking away the charm of Key West!!

  26. The Spotswoods already own most of the Keys. They ruined Curry Mansion. Leave Shrimpboat Sound alone.

  27. Wasn’t this building considered a historical landmark? Or so I thought it was, to my knowledge? If it is, I believe that it can’t be torn down, no?

    But I agree, it should be a studio much like Muscle Shoals Sound Studio or Abby Road Studios

  28. Do not destroy the legacy. Listen to the musicians and keep this a working studio! The last thing the Keys need is another frozen drink bar. Maybe create a small structure along side the studio to sell a small token of a great piece of KW history. Don’t add a notch in the current destruction of this prescious Island.

  29. On behalf of Mac and myself thanks for your support, hopefully “with a little luck and love”…

  31. It’s sad, but this seems to always be the fate of Big Money versus a Big Heart – and usually… ‘big money wins the coin toss, which is always a coin they just happen to have handy, it’s two headed…, and they call it “heads” first”. If it was manatees, you’d have no issues here, but manatees don’t drink. I’m sure Jane Buffett would attest to the level of the monetary nightmares that ensue when the Cash Vultures site a fresh kill and come a callin’. Welcome to the American that’s being sold to the highest bidder.

  32. JUST STOP ALL OF THIS MADNESS!!!
    Key West would not be anything near what it is today if Jimmy Buffett did not come to LOVE IT SO!!!
    Instead we should be figuring out how we can MEMORIALIZE SHRIMP BOAT SOUND and keep it Sacred.
    It’s a quaint little spot that will attract people and LEGENDS from around the world forever!!!
    You can go get a drink anywhere…you can only get a piece of Jimmy Buffett at SHRIMP BOAT SOUND!!!
    LEAVE IT BE, DAM IT!!!

  33. I’ve been coming to the Keys for many years now. Last year I was stunned to see what’s been happening to your Conch Republic! Is there anywhere to go that hasn’t been affected by infiltration of those trying “change” what KW once was? Without memories, it’s just another City. The airport is an example, Mom, Dad and the kids. Last I knew they were headed north. Million dollar homes. Workers who can’t even afford to live where they work. Take a bus in the lower Keys, these young people getting off at little unknown places just to get to work. The Shrimpboat sound studio was conceived by an individual who made a name for himself AND many other artists came to this studio to also capture that sound. Why do you need just another bar, when you have landmark! At the very least make it a historical place to visit for those that still appreciate originality and history as well. What does the family want and willing to do? This makes me sick!

    1. My wife and were there in 2017. Even then, the place way swarming with Middle East swag merchants, who were chasing us down the street, bugging my wife to get her nails done, while also trying to sell us an “area rug” – we’ll never go back. Trying to revive what this place use to be, is literally akin to going to a graveyard and digging up the corpses of people you never knew in the first place. Let it go.

  34. Shrimp boat Sound is iconic!! Why would you tear it down for a bar? Key West already has plenty of bars of all types and sizes. It was where Jimmy Buffet recorded lots of his music and thus created the whole Parrothead culture. That culture is embedded in Key West. Please save this landmark.

  38. Please disregard previous comment. I missed the credit on first pass.

    Thank you for spreading the word.

    Ted

  39. Please save the legacy of Jimmy Buffett’s shrimp boat sound studio. Open it for new artist to recording and take inspiration from.

  41. Please,PLEASE, Let’s not erase the Legacy and Memories of Jimmy.B.and his studio….for another Bar,really???? I think we have plenty of those already…..Let the songs echo in the air…FOREVER!!! FIN’S UP EVERYBODY!!!!!!! I agree with a museum in Jimmy’s Memory….

  43. This is coming from a longtime fan from 74…, but this quagmire begs the question, and one must really ask…, ‘why didn’t JB just buy this location’? We all know he most certainly had the money. He could’ve had this for a pittance of what they want now, if he would’ve bought it years ago. It seems very obvious to me, and makes perfect sense that – ‘he rented this space as a tax write off, and nothing more’.

    Let us not forget, first and foremost, JB was all about the… “Music Business”, and profit. Everything else came in a distant second. It was all about the brand, the side show, and the merch. PT Barnum brought the Big Top, and we all bought into the Dancing bear…, but he was all about the money. Colonel Parker gave you Elvis in a white jumpsuit on a platter, but he was always about the money. Walt Disney gave us Mikey Mouse…, “but he was all about the money”.

    This little cinderblock shack may be a holy shrine to some, but it was a business deal to Buffett, and all about the money. Let us remember, not all of his business decisions were Warren Buffett savvy, because at this moment, Jimmy’s wife is going through accountant purgatory with some little, ripoff prick, out in La La Land. We all had a good run, and plenty to drink…, but the party’s over – whether the Coral Reefers like it or not, and the guests with class know when it’s time to leave. Jimmy has left the building…

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