Singer-songwriter Kelly McGuire is a man of many interests, and most of them seem to start with the letter “B”: boats, beaches, bands, Belize, and of course, Buffett (as in Jimmy Buffett, not Warren). Over the years, McGuire has established himself as an artist with a unique style, blending tropical vibes and island themes into his music.
However, after decades of performing both original songs and covers, there’s one thing he’s no longer interested in: bars—at least when it comes to performing.
Moving Beyond Bars
McGuire has decided to step away from performing in bars, explaining that he no longer wants to be background music. “I don’t do them anymore as a rule,” he says. “I want to control the environment a little bit and not just be background music.”
Bars, according to McGuire, often mean people aren’t paying full attention to the songs being played. “People in bars don’t listen to songs they don’t recognize, and songs they recognize they don’t need to listen to,” he adds.
His goal now is to create an environment where the audience can focus on his music and lyrics. “I want my audience to listen to the words and focus on them and respond to them without fighting for attention,” he says. As a result, McGuire has shifted his focus to house concerts and intimate backyard gigs.
A Concert in the Garden
On July 6, McGuire will be performing at “A Concert in the Garden” at Dickinson’s historic Cedar Oaks Inn, a Texas-centric bed and breakfast co-owned by Jeff and Tanya Nuss. McGuire will be joined by Gary Grose on bass and Howard McMichael on steel drums.
He’s excited about this particular gig, noting, “Somebody got in touch with me and said this would be a great place for me to play. So, I’m looking forward to it! I love people up close and personal.”
This performance is part of McGuire’s ongoing musical journey, which has taken him all around the U.S. and the world, though he always returns to his beloved Gulf Coast.
From Pizza Parlors to Island Tunes
McGuire’s music career began in Dallas, after time spent in Missouri and Oklahoma City. For 15 years, he performed in bars and even pizza parlors like Shotgun Sam’s Pizza Palace, which he describes as “like a Shakey’s, only better.”
As a one-man band with bass pedals, a drum machine, and a harmonica around his neck, McGuire performed cover songs, but eventually, he burned out. It wasn’t until he moved to Galveston in the early 1980s that McGuire began to rediscover his love for music.
“I got down to Galveston and saw all those boats and knew that I’d be moving there,” he recalls.
For a while, McGuire left music behind and worked in yacht sales and taught sailing. However, he began to mess around with music at home, and before long, he started writing original songs, something he had never done before.
He was living on a boat in Seabrook at the time, and the surrounding environment provided inspiration for many of his songs, which often touch on themes like boats, islands, and beaches.
A Tropical Escape
In the early 2000s, McGuire’s music began to take on a tropical, beachy vibe similar to Jimmy Buffett’s music, which McGuire admires. He released his debut album Redfish Island in 2004, and it quickly gained attention, even getting some airplay on Jimmy Buffett’s Sirius Radio Margaritaville station.
With no national release, the album still sold around 20,000 copies. Since then, McGuire has released four more studio albums and one live album, including songs like “Boat in Belize,” “Woman Behind the Wheel,” and “Blame it on Buffett.”
Despite his growing success, McGuire remains deeply influenced by Buffett’s work, particularly his ability to combine music with an entire lifestyle. “People who like Buffett assume everybody knows who he is but that’s not the case,” McGuire says.
“No one I can think of has had an impact on lifestyle like he has.” McGuire notes that Buffett’s legacy is felt through the Margaritaville resorts, retirement centers, and communities that are now a staple of his brand.
A Growing Career
In addition to his musical career, McGuire is also an accomplished painter, which allows him to explore another creative avenue. He continues to write songs, with hopes of releasing a long-awaited new album in the winter.
McGuire also has a second home in Belize, where he’s performed several times over the years for both locals and visiting Americans. His first contact in Belize found McGuire through the Country Music Association of Texas website, where he had won Independent Artist of the Year.
“He contacted me and started blabbering about Belize and his bar, and I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about!” McGuire laughs. But after a few more calls, McGuire found himself heading to Belize, which has since become a regular stop in his touring schedule.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Music and Lifestyle
Although McGuire never met his musical hero, Jimmy Buffett, he would love the chance to have a conversation with him about fly fishing and sailing adventures.
“The guy is just an amazing entrepreneur in addition to his music,” McGuire says. “I would just thank him. There’s a lot of singers and songwriter guys like me that are his legacy.”
McGuire’s musical journey continues to evolve as he creates new songs, builds connections with fans, and enjoys intimate performances in smaller settings. If you’re in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to see him live on July 6 at Cedar Oaks Inn.
