Things to do on and around Siesta Key
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The Whole Band at the Blase Cafe before a Friday show. From left, Zack Yoder, Steve Apostoli, Callie Chappell, Dave Pierce, Kevin Thompson, and J.P. Coley. (submitted photo)
A band in demand
Down to a T Fun, custom shirts rule at Siesta Key Outfitters By Jane Bartnett
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t’s known as “the biggest little store in the Village.” Throughout the years, tourists and locals alike have come to learn that Siesta Key Outfitters is the place to go when you want a custom T-shirt, hoodie or sweatshirt. But what those who haven’t discovered this small but mighty store may not know is that there are a lot of big surprises packed into this little shop. “In a nutshell, we make T-shirt-dreams-to-go,” said James Ritter, who has owned the store for 12 years. There are T-shirts and onesies for newborns, T-shirts for children up to 5X, and shirts for men and women of all sizes. “No one on this island has the selection of T-shirts for children that we do here,” Ritter said. Gazing at the endless designs that are displayed behind the counter, Ritter seemed to amaze himself at the number of options available. “We have hundreds of choices,” he said. “I’d say 90% of the people who come in here want a custom T-shirt on the spot. We do it in a matter of minutes.” Continued on page 15V
Callie Chappell realizes she and her musical mates don’t dare bail on Blase Cafe By Hannah Wallace
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et’s put to bed any rumors you may have heard: Siesta supergroup The Whole Band is staying put for its popular Friday-night gigs at Blasé Café. Lead singer/guitarist Callie Chappell had considered taking a break after this year, her 10thstraight season playing live music at Blasé. But no sooner had she raised the possibility of retirement than a heartfelt backlash ensued — from her bandmates, like vocalist/guitarist Kevin Thompson, and from strangers among the Blasé crowds. “I had just said it to a few people, but buzz gets around,” said Chappell. “People just kept walking up saying, ‘I heard you’re leaving!’ Kevin was like, ‘If you’re not doing it, I don’t want to do it.’ Our pedal steel player was like, ‘This is the happiest thing in my life.’ I could say that I was talked out of [retiring]. But it wasn’t that hard to talk me out of it.”
The Whole Band members only appear together on Friday nights at Blasé, where their performances of mostly upbeat ‘70s rock covers — and some original music mixed in —regularly draw hundreds. (While Chappell only performs these days for this one act, the band’s other musicians can be seen solo and in other projects around town throughout the week.) In fact, the Whole Band can trace its earliest origins back to the Blasé. A decade ago, Chappell, drummer Steve Apostoli and renowned “gypsy violinist” Willie Royal played gigs as a trio, drawing decent crowds that Chappell still attributes to Royal’s talent. “I always just figured it was Willie’s playing,” she laughed. They met bassist J.P. Coley while recording an album and, when Royal retired due to health issues, the remaining bandmates began searching for their
James Ritter, owner of Siesta Key Outfitters, with a fun T-shirt that illustrates what the island’s night life has to offer. (photo by Jane Bartnett)
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