The Soul of Key West

Book excerpt: "The Soul of Key West" is a 104 page anthology of the Key West music scene through the eye of local photographer Ralph De Palma, as told by the musicians. Their stories are the true description of the lives of professional musicians. The book includes 46 interviews, and over 200 hundred photographs culled from a collection of 2500. It is the first book about Key West's fantastic musicians. "Key West is becoming a music destination much like Nashville or New Orleans. Our island is full of talent that migrated here from those much larger music cities," says De Palma. "If Nashville is the 'Music City' then Key West is most certainly the 'Music Island'. De Palma's passion for Key West's vibrant music scene led him to spend countless hours photographing and interviewing dozens of musicians. His photographs capture the rocking spirit of a tiny island filled with over fifty venues featuring live music, and his words roll out the stories, struggles, and triumphs of musicians who play for us night after night. With so many live music venues, there are still numerous local musicians that have not told their story. De Palma is currently working on Volume II of "The Soul of Key West".