Photo: PRWeb
Laid-back beach bars, island locations and good music always seem to go hand in hand. If anything can bring it home even more, and toss in an artistic touch, it is an artist/performer like Kenny Chesney. A Key West establishment that sings of the images and feelings evoked in many of Chesney’s songs has just been featured as the album art on his latest single, “When I see this Bar.”
The Half Shell Raw Bar is the scene of the cover art for Chesney’s second single (the first was “Pirate Flag”) off of his latest album “Life on a Rock,” which is his seventh Billboard all-genre Top 200 Album’s number one debut. You can get your very own copy of “Life on a Rock” at Amazon. I’ve taken a listen to a couple of them and have to say that it is pretty darn good. I really like “Spread the Love,” which features The Wailers with Elan, and “Marley” (I have a thing for “Three Little Birds.” What can I say.)
From the press release …
“Chesney fans are already coming in to sit on the bar stools featured on his album.” Bartender Molly Weaver reports.
Along with the bar stools, the photo captures the bar’s extensive draft beer taps, a large sailfish sculpture and license plates from all over the world adorning the walls (the best bars always have license plates on the walls, in case you didn’t know). The dockside destination, currently owned by former Philadelphia 76ers President Pat Croce, has a casual and laid-back vibe. Much like Chesney’s music, it embodies exactly what “When I see this Bar’ celebrates – a special place that inspires lifelong memories of great times and feelings of connection and belonging.
Pat Croce said …
“I thanked Kenny for using the photo of my Half Shell Raw Bar for his new single. His immediate response was to offer to have the art printed up and sent to me. He’s just a genuinely good guy.”
Located right on the docks at the Historic Key West Seaport, the Half Shell Raw Bar offers a taste of old Key West with its laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Dine on fresh fish, clams, peel-and-eat shrimp and conch ceviche (all caught within hours of appearing on your plate) while watching pelicans, fishing boats and the world famous Gulf of Mexico sunsets.
Kenny Chesney, on his inspiration for the song …
“Having played it for people since the record came out, I started to realize: What’s so incredibly personal for me … is just as personal to everyone I’ve played it for. Only they all have a very specific bar where it happened to them! Hung out with friends, fell in love, fell apart – and that’s why I figured this did make sense as a single.”
Chesney emphasized an introspective songwriting streak in the penning of “When I see this Bar.” The album “Life on a Rock” has earned critical acclaim in publications ranging from USA Today to Entertainment Weekly.
Kenny Chesney’s 2013 summer No Shoes Nation Tour has sold over a million tickets for shows in 19 stadiums. Have you been to any of them? Please let me know, as I haven’t and need to live vicariously through somebody who has. My last Chesney concert was in 2003. It’s been way too long.
Kenny Chesney is an eight-time CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year. He loves to visit Key West and spends much of his down time in this “home away from home” island paradise. He has recorded at fellow Key Wester Jimmy Buffett’s Key West recording studio Shrimpboat Sound.
The video for “When I see this Bar” captures the feeling that gives this relaxed yet creatively charged island its charm and lasting appeal. It depicts Chesney playing acoustic guitar with footage of late-night bar jams and photos of him surrounded by friends. The single cover shows his fans exactly where to go in Key West for the same kind of unforgettable experience.
The Half Shell Raw Bar is located at 231 Margaret Street, Key West, Florida 33040. It is the only seafood restaurant in Key West that owns its fish market, the Half Shell Fish Market, which is right across the street from the restaurant.
Roland “Snoop” Granger, general manager of the Half Shell, said
“The entire Half Shell staff is thrilled about the bar making the album cover.”
I can’t wait to get back to Key West and sit on those famous bar stools myself. How about you?
Check out more Chesney at KennyChesney.com. He even has his very own app.
