Interview with a Pirate: "Rocketman" Hudson

Vacationers visiting the Florida Keys often drive past some of the finest bar-b-que in the Keys on their way to Key West. Porky's Bayside, in Marathon, offers great barbeque and entertainment. That's right! Entertainment with slow cooked southern classic pulled pork sandwich. If you stop in on a Friday evening, you can hear a Keys local legend, Rocketman, the Pirate.

Robert, "Rocketman, the Pirate", Hudson has been a fixture in the middle Keys entertainment industry forever it seems. I caught up with Rocket at Porky's on a Friday night for our interview. As usual, the house was packed with diners; many were loyal Rocketman fans from all over the world.

Rocket is a drummer in the Florida Straights Band, but for his solo show at Porky's, he plays an acoustic four-string tenor guitar. The cover songs he plays in his show range from the obligatory Jimmy Buffet tunes to Leon Redbone classics. The highlight of his solo show is his original songs that express his relaxed lifestyle and joy of living in the Florida Keys. Rocket had fallen in love with pirate lore and the search for sunken treasure many years ago. So, the pirate flair is part of his costume on and off stage.

While speaking to Rocket during his first break, I waited for him to sell and autograph his latest CD. One of the fans overheard that Rocket was being interviewed. "We have been stopping in to hear Rocketman play for 10 years", said the CD buyer. I mentioned to Rocket's fan how I used to help Rocket sing, Leon Redbone's, "Jellyroll", and Rocket had a big laugh. The Porky's patrons used to get a kick out of the impromptu duet as well. As the stack of CD's was signed, I noticed that Rocket might need to start bringing more with him. This was his first break and he was down to his last two.

Captdallas2: "Rocket, How long have you been down here in the Keys?"

Rocketman: "Since '71. Thirty-six years in the fabulous Florida Keys...", He paused for another autograph and photo then laughed, "seventeen years here at Porky's and 22 years with the Florida Straights band."

Captdallas2: "What brought you to the Keys?"

Rocketman: "I heard about Florida when I was in Las Vegas. I was a drummer in Las Vegas for 13 years after I got out of the Air Force. I was a scuba diver and after hearing the stories of treasure hunting, I packed up and moved to Daytona. Wasn't in Daytona long when I heard about the Keys and moved down. "

Captdallas2: "I know the answer, but what is your favorite original song?"

Rocketman playfully sings: "I Beats Forty-Below, Shoveling Snow, but I like it! If I had more CD's I would give you one. " Rocket signs a photograph for one of his little pirate fans. Beaming a huge smile, the seven year old skips back to her table to show her family her new prized souvenir.

Captdallas2: "What are some of your other favorite originals?"

Rocketman: "Fishin' and It Ain't Easy Being Keysy, have you heard that one? I just added it to the new CD."

Captdallas2: " I have heard it live, but not on the CD. How did Hurricane Wilma treat you?"

Rocketman, looking at the now empty CD box shaking hishead: "She did me in, but did me good. Now I am living in a nice place with a hot tub. It's built high enough off the ground it should weather almost any storm. Of course, I have to pay rent now. So I would just have to say, Wilma did me in, but did me good."

Captdallas2: " Rocket, do you have a website? I would like to put one of your songs in with this interview and let people listen to some of your stuff."

Rocketman: After a look, "Website? No, I don't have a Website. You can look me up on Porky's or Captain Pips Website. They both have a song or two you can download and people can even buy some of my CD's if they like."

I let Rocketman the Pirate get back to his performance. Listening to Rocket tell his audience that he has four grand babies and a sixteen year old daughter, I had to laugh along with him. There are not many entertainers that can build a loyal fan base in a bar-b-que restaurant. At sixty-seven years young, Rocket has been packing them in for seventeen years and will for many more. If you get to Porky's early, you might even have a chance of buying his new CD. If not, check out Rocketman with the Florida Straights band on Dockside Sunday, a Marathon locals tradition.

To listen to Rocket, clink the link below. You can email Rocketman through that site to order his lastest CD.