Entertainers
Irish Kevin
Start to music? Inspirations?Started playing guitar at age 15 in Ireland. John Denver, John Lennon, The Beatles, U2
First job? Ever fired? Bartended in Ireland at 14, I’ve never been fired so far… ?
Favorite song to play? Imagine by John Lennon
Does your guitar have a name? NOPE, but I do tend to call it “asshole” when I break a string..
Little known fact about yourself: I live on an island surrounded by gorgeous ocean, yet I get seasick VERY easily
Jeff Harris
How long at Irish Kevin’s, and what brought you here? I’ve been playing at IK’s 12 years now, and was recommended by a fellow piano player friend from NYC when I lived in Nashville
Start to music? I started performing at age 5 at my elementary school talent show, learned to play guitar at 18.
Musical inspiration? George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Buck Owens.
First job? I picked strawberries in the summer for 5 cents a quart when I was very young. I was also a radio DJ
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Best thing about being a musician? I get to travel the world and play for wonderful people doing what I love. I speak the language of the world: MUSIC.
Favorite song to play? Postmark Birmingham by Blackhawk
Drink of choice? Jack Daniels
Paul Mandell (NY Pauly)
How long in Key West/Irish Kevin’s (and what brought you here)? I responded to an ad in an NYC newspaper in the summer of 2003, and was invited to Key West for an audition by Irish Kevin himself. Been here 12 years now!
Start to music/inspiration? I began playing guitar in bands in high school. I’ve always been inspired and personally influenced by the great baritone voices of Jim Morrison and Frank Sinatra. I also admire many of the amazing musicians (my friends) who perform at Kevin’s and all over Key West
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How would you describe your show to someone who’s never seen you perform? I’ve always thought of my show to be the ultimate interactive music and comedy variety show. A no holds-barred (but playful) party for people on vacation. I’ll play your favorite bar sing-alongs, I’ll push your smut threshold…I’ll motor-boat your fiance’! It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget!
Best story while playing at IK’s? There are so many classic and HILARIOUS moments onstage over these 12 years. One of my favorites was on my birthday, my cousin and I did the “Carlton” and the Apache dance.
Drink of choice? chocolate milk with a straw..hasn’t changed since I was 6
Oren Polak
Oren hails from Frederick, Maryland. He joined our Irish Kevin’s family in 2016. His ecclectic mix of songs is a reflection of his appreciation of numerous genres of music. Whether you see him perform in the morning, afternoon or after midnight, his high energy show will have you grooving!
Jared Michael Hobgood
JMH was born in Evansville, IN and started playing in bars at the age of 16-before he was even legally allowed to be in them. He quickly discovered that they’d never card the entertainment.
Jared came to Key West on summer break from University of Florida Law, and stopped at Irish Kevin’s (which had been open ONE WEEK). That day, Irish Kevin himself had asked him to come onstage and play a few songs-JMH played here ever since. Jared claimed to be 90% awesome, and 30% fantastic (He was right). We miss him dearly.