Brad Manard is an author in addition to being a musician. Along with Captain Tony Tarracino, Manard penned the book Life Lessons of a Legend, which is the story of Captain Tony sometimes known as the “Salt of Key West.” Along with Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffett, Tarracino is among a handful of Key West legends.
So what was it that made Captain Tony so special? What did he do? I think an easier question would be what did Captain Tony not do. As a young man he was a gambler who fled to New Jersey from the Mob. In his life he was a fishing and charter boat captain in Key West. He owned Captain Tony’s Saloon located on Greene Street in Key West—the oldest bar in Florida. His best friends included Tennessee William, Truman Capote, Shel Silverstein and Mel Fisher…just to name a few. The 1970s movie Cuba Crossing was made about his trip to Cuba to transport government assassins. Captain Tony was the surrogate father of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the inspiration behind his classic song “Last Mango in Paris.” Captain Tony was elected mayor of Key West in 1989 at 73 years old. Captain Tony was also a very prolific man. He fathered 13 children with 50 years separating the oldest and youngest child. Most importantly I believe Captain Tony was a storyteller. Perhaps one of the best and everyone who met him loved him. Originally broadcast on the radio, this interview is now available to the podcast audience.
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