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Flora-Bama owner Gilchrist to be honored for bringing music, happiness

December 12, 2014
/ Mike Ensley
/ training-development

It’s been hailed by Playboy as “The Best Beach Bar in the World.” Artists such as Willie Nelson, The Wet Willie Band and Taylor Hicks have all played there. Both country superstar Kenny Chesney and the legendary Jimmy Buffett have written songs about it. The Flora-Bama Lounge is always filled with happiness – music, laughter, food and good times - but this Monday, those sentiments will be aimed squarely at one man: owner Joe Gilchrist. Musicians, civic leaders, friends and fans will honor Gilchrist, who’s been bringing music and happiness to the Florida/Alabama line since 1978, with a tribute starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 15. The event will feature Flora-Bama favorite performers like J. Hawkins, Bo Roberts, Donna Slater and others, who will all pay tribute in song and words. Proclamations honoring Gilchrist from the Governors of both Florida and Alabama will be presented. The evening will then wrap up with an all-star jam session. But it almost didn’t happen. When Gilchrist friend and entertainment publicist Dell Long first approached Gilchrist with the idea to honor him, his answer was simple – no. Long, who has known Gilchrist since 2000, says he was dead set against any sort of tribute. “He just said, ‘no’,” Long said. “But I wasn’t going to just give up that easily.” Long went straight to a higher power – Flora-Bama CEO Jeff McInnis - with her idea. “Jeff loved it,” Long said. “I remember he said, ‘I don’t normally overrule Joe on anything, but in this case I have to.’” Long is a determined woman. As publicist she’s worked with a who’s who of acts ranging from B.B. King to Phyllis Diller to Louis Prima. A Georgia native, she kept hearing from her friends in show business that she had to visit this bar down on the Gulf Coast, attend its songwriters festival and meet its owner. “Everyone kept talking about Joe Gilchrist,” Long said. “When I made it down to the Flora-Bama for the first time, I walked straight in the bar and asked the staff, ‘Where’s Joe Gilchrist?’” Long was told he was in a back area down by the beach, so she did what she says anyone would do - kicked the door open, scaring everyone in the room, and asked, “Where’s Joe? I’m Dell Long and I want to shake your hand.” Named after a long time Flora-Bama night watchman, The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival was what had impressed Long. Started in 1984 by Gilchrist, it serves as one of the nation’s top showcases for the people that write the songs for artists that everyone knows, but for which they rarely receive public acknowledgement, as well as a way to showcase up and coming songwriters. “Joe gives the songwriters, who are usually voiceless, a voice to sing their own songs,” Long said. “And he does it all out of his own pocket because he cares about the music and bringing happiness to people.” Phil Thomas Katt agrees. As both a songwriter and longtime chronicler of the local music scene through his former TV show and now YouTube channel, ‘The Uncharted Zone,’ Katt says the Flora-Bama is a special place. “From the moment I stepped into the Flora-Bama, I felt a creative magic there,” Katt said. “Unlike many venues, songwriters were always encouraged there.” Katt believes there’s a legacy in what Gilchrist has built. “You would not believe how many songs, even hit songs, were written on those white beach sands behind the ‘Bama,” Katt said. Long says that a representative from the International Songwriter’s Association will be at the event to present Gilchrist with an award for his work. Gilchrist’s willingness to help others also shone during one of the darkest times in our country’s history – the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “I told Joe I was going to New York and he just offered to help,” Long said. “He gave me a desk and a phone and put me to work.” Using her contacts, Long helped Gilcrhist gather about 100 locals and songwriters to bring comfort through music to the city and in particular, it’s police and firemen. “We went there and played venues like the B.B. King’s club and the Apollo Theater for them,” Long said. “When Jimmy Buffett played a huge relief concert, he acknowledged Joe from the stage.” The trip stuck with everyone who went, and 10 years later, Gilchrist gathered a group again and went back to New York City. “Joe wanted the police and firemen to know that they weren’t forgotten,” Long said. The police and fireman haven’t forgotten Gilchrist either. Jack Costello, a deputy police commissioner, is attending the tribute to present Gilchrist with a plaque as a thank you. Gilchrist is, according to Long, just a good person. “Someone once said that the test of a man is not in making it, but what he does when he has,” Long said. “Joe is successful, but what he does is reach out a helping hand to those that need it.” Katt agrees. “I have known Joe Gilchrist for nearly 20 years and I think Joe is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known,” Katt said. “I love the man for that.” Want to go? Joe Gilchrist Tribute Monday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Free admission. Flora-Bama Lounge 17401 Perdido Key Drive Perdido Key, FL 32507 www.florabama.com

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Flora-Bama owner Gilchrist to be honored for bringing music, happiness

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