Meet Tommy Lee Cook | Musician, song-writer, producer, venue owner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tommy Lee Cook and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tommy Lee, how does your business help the community?
The World-Famous Buckingham Blues Bar has been a haven for original Blues lovers for over 22 years. A homey, friendly place located on 7 acres in Buckingham, Florida, on the outskirts of Ft. Myers on the SW coast. Patrons from all over the World frequent the establishment year after year to enjoy the best original, traveling Blues acts on our inside and outside stage.
The inside stage and room can accommodate up to 100 fans for an up close and intimate show setting. The incredible backyard area with a fire-pit, decks, pavilions, bars, and naturally lush tropical landscaping, makes it a perfect venue for larger shows.
Our sole purpose since the beginning is to give original Blues artists a place to share their talents. These acts travel the globe, building their audiences, one fan at a time, making a difference in the creative world of music. Keeping this genre alive, supporting these acts, is our purpose, our mission, because without stages that welcome original, we would be a society starving for the culture of creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been a musician since I was a child, playing in my first talent show at 9-10 years of age. Music, poetry, literature, always excited me growing up and was a huge influence on me. Along with 1 vinyl album in the 80s, I have written, performed, and produced 6 more records of mostly original music. I have also written and published 3 Young Adult novels, in the Tom Sawyer vein.
My greatest life lesson from the creative experience is simple; one must put the time and effort in to create. Sometimes it’s easy, flowing like a stream. Other times, the process can be overwhelmingly hard, a desert of thoughts, a blank page staring back at you. The key is to be persistent, work, and achieve.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A trip to the Ringling Museum is always on my list to do for a perfect day trip. Dinner and drinks at The Veranda downtown is a perfect setting. Music at The Buckingham Blues Bar for various shows and relaxing. An Everglades trip on my airboat is a must too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, a book that changed my world view.

Website: https://buckinghambar.com

Youtube: The World-Famous Buckingham Blues Bar