For me and a lot of my pals, the best band to come out of our area in the ‘80s was The Silver King Band. A trio of talented folks – St. Petey Twig on barrelhouse piano, Flo Mingo on washboard, and Rock Bottom on harmonica. They were an R&B show. They were a vaudeville show. They were outrageous and hilarious. And the musicianship was always first-rate.
All good things pass and The Silver Kings split in 1985 as the touring caused rifts among the trio. Flo stayed in Europe, married and started a family. Rock returned to Tanpa Bay and was a major force in blues music here – and continued to tour. Twig changed his name to Barry Cuda and moved to Key West, where he became the house pianist at Sloppy Joe’s, the landmark bar.
Silver King Band
Both Rock and Flo died much too young. Barry however, is going strong – 10,000 Key West gigs later. He has done well, owning houses in the Keys and in France and raising a daughter. But hasn’t played much in Tampa Bay.
“If you move to Key West, you are putting your career on cement blocks,” Barry joked. “I tell people if you want to hear me, come to Key West.”
We were doing a phoner as he chugged through Alligator Alley, on his way to gig this Saturday night at the Side Door. He’s bringing his Key West band and some great players from New Orleans – Joe Cabral of the Iguanas, and Alfred “Uganda” Roberts, who played congas with Professor Longhair. The band also features Kenny Fradley, a veteran of tours with Celia Cruz and Kid Croele.
All together, this band is a genre-blending crew that mixes blues, R&B, New Orleans music and some Cuban rhythms. Last time they played they wowed the very tough crowd at NOLA’s Snug Harbor jazz club. Barry and the band play stuff they love and don’t worry about the labels. And everything Barry does carries the “anything goes” vibe that made the Silver Kings so beloved.
“I’m not going to call myself a gender-jumper anymore,” Barry said. “I’m a gender-bridger!”
Born Kent Smith, Barry graduated from Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) where he met Flo Mingo. He was mentored on piano by the great Knocky Parker , who had played piano with Bob Wills and others before becoming a professor at USF, and in 1981 formed the Silver Kings.
We got this gig because Barry’s buddy – and my pal – Kevin Napper – loves his music and hired the band for a private event for his law firm. So while they are here – I was able to find a date in our nightclub. Tickets are almost gone, so if you want a spot you better hurry.
Barry Cuda and the Sharks appear Saturday, Nov. 19, in the Palladium Side Door. They’ll be doing two sets starting around 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call our box office at 727 822-3590 or follow this link for online tickets.
Personally, I can’t wait for this one. I’ll see you there!
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