Key West didn’t sell the naming rights to its amphitheater. Instead, it honors a local musician
At 91 years old, Key West musician and favorite son Coffee Butler doesn’t have to say anything.
Asked how he was doing Friday, Butler broke into a gospel song.
And instead of delivering a speech Friday at the Truman Waterfront Park, where the city has named its amphitheater after Butler, the island’s legendary piano man chose to perform a few tunes with his friends, like singer Cliff Sawyer.
City leaders on Friday praised Butler as they unveiled a sizable white-lettered sign that marks the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at the Truman Waterfront Park.
Butler’s trademark songs include “Who Put the Pepper in the Vaseline,” “Let Them Talk,” and “The Beautiful Isle of Key West,” written by Ellen Sanchez, who taught piano to Butler and generations of local kids.
“You are the greatest,” said former mayor Dennis Wardlow to Butler, who sat behind an electric piano on the makeshift stage. “You are an inspiration to a lot of the youth of this community that you helped.”
“I don’t think we could have picked a better person to represent the amphitheater,” said Mayor Teri Johnston. “Thank you so much, Mr. Butler. Thank you for teaching us what is most important: that we must love and respect one another. Your music has done exactly that and it will for generations to come.”
Key West city commissioners chose to name the amphitheater after Lofton “Coffee” Butler, rather than try to sell the naming rights to a corporation.
“There were rumors going around town that people wanted to bring in some big names, and name it after beer and bring in $100,000,” said Wardlow. “I decided something had to be done.”
Wardlow went to a local printing company and had 250 bumper stickers made in support of naming the venue after Butler and didn’t stop promoting the idea until it won the approval of the city commission in August 2019, after Commissioner Greg Davila proposed it.
Butler still plays gigs, and in recent years was the headliner at sold-out shows at the Key West Theater, jamming with Sawyer, singer Robert Albury and City Commissioner Clayton Lopez, who plays a mean guitar.
“Mr. Butler is an icon of entertainment with an impressive history unto himself,” Lopez said Friday. “He’s descended from one of the most well-known musical families. Many of you out there remember the days and nights at Howie’s, Logan’s and, of course, the Hukilau. I’m blessed to have learned from him.”
None of those places still remain in Key West. Butler has outlived them all.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 4:56 PM.
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