Album Notes

Dear Friend,

It is with great joy that I share my recording of Cayo Hueso with you. Putting this project together was fun, educational and personally rewarding.
Cayo Hueso is the native name for Key West and translates to Island of Bones. In writing the music and lyrics for this CD, I chose to be inclusive of all the keys in an effort to recognize the area as a whole. Anyone who has traveled US 1 from Homestead to Key West, can relate to the feeling of how the whole area ties together. You will find songs on the CD that are aptly named for different towns that you will pass as you traverse the Florida Keys.
Cayo Hueso was officially released on the anniversary of the Labor Day hurricane of September 2nd 1935 which I sing about in the song titled Storm of the Century. It came ashore in Islamorada, Fl and remains to date the most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States. It is dedicated in honor and memory of all those who suffered and died. Upon releasing the CD I had the opportunity to meet Bernard Russell and his wife Laurette Pinder Russell who were both survivors of the hurricane. Bernard's personal tragedy of losing 50 out of his 61 immediate family members was the catalyst for the song. I felt I had to bring this event to life in song for the sake that it is widely overlooked by storm historians. Meeting Bernard was the highlight of my songwriting career. He was very appreciative of the song and received the first official copy of the CD in the most generous fashion.
On October 15th 2003, this recording was recognized by the Monroe County Florida Government for its historical and artistic representation of the Florida Keys, and is now officially known as the "Ballad of the Keys"
In closing, I hope Cayo Hueso will remain a permanent fixture in your CD changer and / or constant companion in your car. May it always bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.
Chris Foster "The American Songwriter"