Florida Keys WeeklyInternationally Celebrated DJ Cardi Returns to Key West
He’s an internationally renowned DJ, a Miami style icon and the pregame opener for the Miami Heat for the past seven years. But perhaps the most intriguing facet of DJ Cardi is his humility. This is no small feat for someone who just returned from working a private gig for Dakota Johnson at the Toronto Film Festival. But catering to A-list stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or regularly performing at the Cannes Film Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix and Pegasus World Cup is just another day’s work for the Miami native.
If that’s not enough, Cardi is a recognized fashion aficionado. Forbes recently hailed him as “one of Miami’s style icons,” where he curates soundscapes for brands such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Vogue.
On Oct. 12, the celebrity DJ will return to Key West to support United Way of Collier and the Keys — a retirement benefit to celebrate Monroe County’s longest-serving elected official, Andy Griffiths.
DJ Cardi joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss his love for South Florida, the influences that shaped his eclectic style and his love for exquisite cuisine and movies.
Limited tickets remain for DJ Cardi, performing at Andy Griffiths’ “Gone Fishing” retirement benefit for United Way of Collier and the Keys on Oct. 12 at the Beachside Resort. Tickets are on sale now and available on web or Facebook at United Way of Collier and the Keys.
https://uwcollierkeys.org/event/andy-griffiths-retirement-party/
Welcome everyone. And thank you for joining me, Brett Myers, your ho your host on the Florida Keys Weekly podcast here in Key West in our studio.
I always have a great show. You know, we bring on great celebrities guest. You name it, but this one, you're going to love it. I promise you. And I'm gonna get to it before I do. Uh I wanna thank our friends in radio land at WKW FA M-16 100 FM, 103.3 FM. You radio listeners. Thanks for doing that. If you're not on radio, you know where to catch us at Keys, weekly.com, Apple, Spotify,
Amazon. All the cool places you want to get a podcast. We're there. You can find those under the Florida Keys Weekly podcast.
And of course, this podcast is brought to you by overseas media group. That's the local digital company that brings your website, social media seo all the things you don't wanna deal with. They do it, they do it with a world of expertise, but they do it with local service that's overseas media group.com. You can check them out today. I wanna thank them for bringing this show to you. Now, this show, this is what you, this is what you're here for. Uh today is gonna be a fun day, especially if you're South Florida. Pretty much international, national, international. This person is well known,
but if you're a Florida person, particularly South Florida, a heat fan or just a music fan or a fashion fan, those things all are kind of synonymous, I guess in South Florida, this is your icon, this is him. And so without further ado, I'm gonna introduce uh DJ Cardi who's from Miami. He's the premier DJ producer known for his signature sound, combining his love for R and B and hip hop with,
that's the infectious, feel good, disco house music. Uh His ability to connect with his audience has propelled him to the forefront, performing at high profile events. If you know much about DJ Cardi like Formula One Grand Prix, the Pegasus World Cup, the Miami Open on and on and on. He plays for the Miami Heat for seven seasons. Now he opens up if you go into a heat game, he's the reason you're getting down. He's the reason you're having fun.
Um He's also at the uh Kayla Center for seven seasons. He's held on to res res uh residences. If I can say that at the World Class resorts like the Cove, Atlantis, Bahamas and the Fountain Blue Miami Beach, uh extravagant dinner parties at B can tell you go on, he's done it he's the go to DJ for VIP clients. If you go to his Instagram page, it's like something out of a storybook that we all dream of the people that this guy hangs with. Um He even does star studded movie premieres at Sundance Can
uh Toronto International Film Festival every year. It's not like a one time thing every year. They want him there. Uh But beyond his music prowess, you know, card, he's recognized for his impeccable sense of style. He's a Miami style icon curating the soundscapes for renowned brands like Armani Dolce Cabana Vogue. He's even held as one of Miami's style icons. His contributions as a music director extend to fashion shows, film and live performances, collaborating with his band and orchestra to infuse live horns, strings,
guitar and percussion. Now you may be saying, OK, he is a Miami icon. Why is he joining the Key West or Florida Keys Weekly podcast? Well, he's no stranger to the keys and one of the reasons and I just gave a long intro for a reason because to really and, and that could have gone on and on to show you the stature um the prestige and how cool this guy really is. But he comes to the keys and, and where I've crossed paths with Cardi DJ. Cardi,
he's usually here because his heart leaves him here. He's, he's usually here for an event to raise money for a cause or those in need. And he shows up and it blows you away. You're like, wait, what's this guy doing here? I'm glad I'm here. It is amazing. And that's why he comes down and today we're talking to him about all the things about him and what he does, but he is coming back again not far from now, October 12th here in the Florida Keys for another event that we'll talk about again for our great cause,
but I can do this intro for the entire show, but I don't wanna do that because why we have DJ Cardi on the line now joining our podcast and uh Cardi, first of all, let me just say it is a pleasure and an honor to have you on the podcast today on the show today
for that was quite the intro. Thank you so much. I am so happy to talk to you today. You know, I love the Keys. I love seeing you guys such a great time every time I go over there.
Now, iii I try to do, I guess maybe subtly or
maybe there's a method to the madness, most of the celebrities and most of the big, the big names we have on the show. I feel like have a common theme. I've been very lucky. I've been very fortunate and maybe this is the kind of person it takes to come on with a bozo like me in the first place. I'm always blown away by the humility the endearing kind of humility
uh and particularly with someone like you, I mean, no offense. When I think Miami, I think, I think that's out of my league. That's, you know, when I look at you, I look at your Instagram pages and I see you with stars like Dakota Johnson and Mark Anthony and all the heat players in all that you do.
And then I talked to you before the show today yesterday. And you're like, hey Brett, it's cool. I can't wait to come on there with you. I'm on your time. Like it doesn't make, it doesn't compute the humility and the coolness and, but I think that's really what makes you, you is you're just down to earth uh and you're really humble. And so I'll ask you that as a Miami guy, you know, if you're talking to Armani and Dolce Cabana and I've seen your style and you're out there. But you know, you're also, you
uh how do you balance that? How are, what's the background that makes you that way? Cardi and, and how do you, how do you kinda stay grounded to be that person that you are?
Well, but I, I was born and raised in Miami. So I've been so lucky to grow up with this culture around me. Um And I've been doing what I love for the last 27 years, which is d jing and every day I wake up, I'm so excited for the next gig. So
it's always a challenge preparing for what you're gonna do. But that's what keeps my life interesting in it. It's, you're basically making people's day making people smile, kids, adults, you know, and the fact I'm able to still do it, I, I'm just so excited, you know.
Well, you can tell when you're doing it and not just do your band, there is an energy and I know pe people say, yeah.
Um, and, and for those listening, let's be clear, the DJ world, the music world has evolved where DJ s are king. I mean, that is, that's where shows take place and festivals and, and you're one of the big names in that circuit across, across the globe. And that's why you show up at these places. But there is a, there is a connection, there is an energy and it's not just you and your equipment and your gear and your turntables, there's, there's more going on, I mean, and it's also, there's guitar, there's, you know, there's, there's, there's brass, I've seen
the drummer going. I mean, it's just, it's all working together. It's not like, you know, there's DJ Snake and Khalid and these names that you're there or, you know, you're, you're there. It's, you, but it's, it's brought a little bit differently. Were you always geared to doing it that way? Like a show and, and more music coming in and fusing those instruments or did that evolve? Over time, those 27 years.
Yeah. Like when I was a child, I always remember listening to salsa music, you know, with my Cuban Colombian family and I was always intrigued by the horn and the drums and the percussion. So I, you know, I don't know why, but it stuck with me all these years. I just love that type of rhythm. So I had to bring it into my set. And once I started playing with the musician, I'm like, let me add another guy, let me add another guy and you know, basically channeling like
the James Brown, you know, days, you know, and making it bringing it to the forefront in 2024 you know, just bringing that funk and soul to current music, you know, we're still taking jazz, you know, and bringing it to the current and it's so interesting because you could really grab people and bring them in, you know, with that type of music.
Well, just my litmus test here in the Florida Keys. You've come down for Wesley House Family Services who do a lot for the community beyond Key West all the way through marathon and Key Largo and up the Keys and beyond.
Now you're coming down for uh another great cause we'll talk about. But I've noticed on the dance floor at these events and, and I know these events you're doing that I've seen are, are small events for you. I know, I know your scope in the, in the large places you play and the audiences. But from a small sample size, there's a lot of different people at these events. In the keys. You have older people, younger people,
uh all walks of life and, and, and you don't really ever see with all due respect to those who you know, entertain down here. You never really see someone capture the entire room the way you do everybody. It, it, it really, it really speaks to everybody. No one's even those who don't like to dance are out there. They either love the percussion, they love your beats, they love the energy. There's a lot going on. Um Tell me a little bit about your background. You know, you talked about getting into this
and we have some great DJ S here and, you know, you know, did you catch a big break early on? I mean, this is kind of a cliche question but
you know, Dakota Johnson Johnson didn't just wake up and call you one day you had to build this reputation up, you had to build, build your career up. Um When did you start to see like, how did you kind of start out? Was it just you doing DJ gigs and then it evolved or did you have, did you start out early and have an early break early or under someone? Tell us a little bit about that background?
Yeah,
I, I think I really came up at the right age with vinyl in the late nineties.
You know, there was, there wasn't any youtube to teach you how to DJ. I kinda had to figure it out on my own. I didn't know any DJ s so I was the only DJ in my class and in my school and then by the time I was 15, I started renting out banquet halls to do these events
and thinking more entrepreneur type, you know, how can I make the most of it and started promoting and getting the bigger clubs. And by the time I was 17, I was DJ the 21 and over clubs that were well known because my skill set was so advanced from just f you know, following uh the guys that came before me, you know, those mentors and
I hit a big break when I got this residency at the Cove Atlantis in 19 92,009, sorry at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. And there I met so many people from around the world. You know, I would fly in every other week to play there at this um luxurious pool. And these people took me around the world, these clients, they were like, hey, come to London, come to Thailand, come all over, you know, and I really started seeing
uh music from the world. And when you have that knowledge of music, you're able to kind of um pivot in a way when, whenever you see something working. All right, let me see if they're, if I can convince them to like this, you know, it's like a psychology and, you know, I've always stuck with that and always been professional, always loved to dress up
and just being happy. I think being happy is an infectious thing. Once you see somebody smile, somebody's gonna smile back at you, you know.
Absolutely. And, and you feel it and again, I'm not, you know, I'm doing a podcast with you and, and it's fun to pump you up. You don't need me to, I, I can't be more honest, you feel it at your shows, you feel that happiness, you feel the vibe and I know that's the way you should feel anytime there's a DJ and there's music and I love DJ s
and I love music and, and so there's a lot of them that I love, but there's a different caliber with you. And I know there's been an evolution with your career. Um You mentioned something and we, you know, we're talking here with DJ Cary out of Miami on the Florida Keys Weekly podcast.
You mentioned something when you, you got that gig in Atlantis and then of course, you're connecting, you know, that's the great thing about music, particularly from the level you're at, you start connecting with the world, one connection leads to a, to another. And, but when you're doing that, were you already one thing I wanted to ask you, you mentioned your style and you always like style.
Now, if you go to your Instagram page and we talk about Dolce Cabana and Armani, you're a good looking guy, you're stylish. It's pretty cool. It's like the total Miami package. But was that always you, are you always in the style or did that kind of come along as you evolved as a DJ in your career?
I, I've always been into style, like, uh I've always kind of been ahead, but the last few years I've kinda tailored it a little bit more with the suits.
I've been designing my own suits um for these events. So three months before an event, I'm, I'm designing the suits and I'm having them tailor made here in uh in Miami at a few suit shops that I work with. And that's kind of like that kind of makes me stand out because I'm not wearing exactly what everybody else is wearing. And it's also part of the art, you know, like the music is an art
and also the visual, you know, you have to think about how you present yourself, you know
how it does and, and it really encapsulates, you know, you have a Miami style and there's no, there's, you can't go wrong with that. And one of the greatest international cities in the world, one of the most, if not the stylish Paris Miami, there's others, you've got it down and, uh, and you wear it well as you know,
um how much has, how much has Miami changed since you started doing this? And how much have you changed with Miami? I know you're worldwide, you're seeing a lot of things and I guess I'm kind of fishing here. How much have you influenced that part of Miami that's changed as the Wynwood movement started and a lot of the obviously EDM and house music comes along and DJ S come along. There's a lot of, and you have a lot of different fusions. You're not ne necessarily encapsulated in that, but, you know, walk me through some of the changes with you and Miami and, and who's changing? Who?
Well, you know, I was big in the club scene in the late uh 2000, early 2010, but things started changing with the nightlife. It, the clubs started dying down and smaller um bars and restaurants started kind of becoming the
place to be, you know, so I love doing these, these dinner parties at like Bate of Tucan. Currently at uh Delilah. People like to go for dinner and a show and an experience and, you know, cell phones also changed a lot of the things. Now back then people used to just dance, you know, they used to dance. Now everyone's on their phone and, you know, they'll record, they'll record themselves having a little fun, you know,
and then start actually editing the video or the photo
at the, at the party they're at like, cause they just wanna post and show everybody that they're having a good time. So, you know, that's something that I don't like as much. But what I do like is the incorporated uh uh live music element. You know, I see so many musicians. Now when I go out, you know, you'll see a sax player, you'll see a percussionist on top of the bar,
you know, the live music scene, they're always having a lot of shows at the Adrian Art Center. So that's something I really like to do is go out there, look at the live music and the singers and try to discover new artists to work with.
Well, I know you do it for the love of music and like you said, the smile is infectious and you can tell you're doing it for that reason. But as fans, as those who love to watch you and listen to you, of course, we love the, the celebrity aspect of it. I know you're probably immune to it. Um You're part of that people know you. But I do wanna ask just
those listening. I think it's fun to hear these stories and I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna pry too much for you to name drop because you could, we could probably have about a week long podcast of just, you know, those you hang out with. But when, when did you know, like when, when did you have that aha moment? I mean, now every Miami heat player knows your name. You're part of that culture, you're part of the Miami culture. Stars know you Mark Anthony, I mean on and on and on. But before that, I mean, I know you were in Miami around a lot of stars and you were in that scene. But when did you know that? Like, hey,
I'm kind of famous too, like, you know, and I ask people that sometimes were, were you in an elevator? And someone said, hey, it's Cardi or, or, or a billboard popped up like when, when did you know, like I'm, I'm kind of famous now too.
No, no, I'm not famous at all. I'm not famous but the right people know me so that there's a difference. No, there's a difference when the right people know you. And that's a really good question and looking back on it now this goes back to like the two, the two thousands when I was like doing the night club,
when all the big record labels would come see me and give me all the, the records and then the actual rappers would show up to the club to hear me play their music, you know, like it was, it was a real, like, all right, this is the guy in Miami, we gotta go to him, you know, so I would see all these rappers in the club. Uh like when Pit Bull was coming up, that was a great time. You know, people would show up to my parties and perform for free, for free, just get on the bar and,
you know, Lil John, we had Ludacris, we had t I, we had so many rappers at that time. They're still doing it today, but that's when I knew. All right, these guys are here. They know I'm doing something right. So, and they want me to play their music.
That's awesome. I'm an Atlanta guy. I'm from Atlanta originally. So you're, you're, you're saying all my guys, I uh that's incredible. And I think you're being modest. I think you said something very, you know, pointing at you knowing the right people. But I,
I know how well known you are now and again, that's just a tribute to your, your, you know, humility. But um you talked about the band and as you came up, um and for those who haven't seen you, they definitely want to youtube it and just, just see the funk and just see the, the rhythm and just see the chemistry because it's not just a DJ, there's so much chemistry in this band that you're up there with
and they're playing their heart out with you. How did that, you know, if you don't, because I, I'm wondering this, as I'm watching you, I get, and I'm the weirdo every event you've been to here. I'm the weirdo up front. Just, just like watching you guys and waiting for security to be like, you're being a little bit weird. You need to go dance or move away. But I'm so enthralled with the band in sync and just so much passion. How did that come? Like one at a time? Did you know these guys, did you invite them out for try? How did that come about,
man? I'm so lucky. I, I really play with the best, like the best of the best and these guys have been doing it probably way longer than I have for sure. Um They're, they're great. They're all, you know, either been Grammy dominated or Grammy winners or played with Casey and the Sunshine Band via Stepan,
you know, the top top people, you know, Earth Wind and Fire. So I've just been so lucky to meet them one by one and then I kind of put them together. I'm like, all right, this guy will vibe with this guy. And to be honest, we don't even rehearse anymore. Like we don't even have to rehearse. They, they just go with, they just go with the flow. They already, they already know my
style and they play pretty much every night. So they just adapt to what I'm playing, you know, we have our, our little cues and I do a lot of high end events with rock with you. They're an agency out here in South Florida. So I've been blessed. They, they've showed me so many great musicians as well, you know, as far as singers and, you know, all, all types of musicians. So
it's, it's really something you can't explain. You know, it's a vibe.
Well, talking to DJ Cardi here on the Florida Keys Weekly podcast. Uh Cardi, you talk about that with the band and how it comes together. Um So when you, for those who don't understand it all, like somebody might say, well, I understand a guitarist or I, I follow the police or I follow uh whatever contemporary, more of a, more of your contemporary,
typical band. But, you know, you're, it's a little bit different than maybe what some of the older crowds used to or as seen if they're not from South Florida or from a place that doesn't really have that have that movement. Um So, and sometimes I think people think, oh, well, then you're just a DJ. You, you've got a playlist and you put it on and it plays. Now there's a lot going on.
I know this is a tough question to answer in just a, you know, a few sentences or in the time that we have, but just to explain it to maybe those who don't see it all the time. What goes into you creating the music that you create just for those who don't necessarily see it all the time.
Well, that's the fun part of my job. I never do the same thing twice. Every gig is pretty different. Every client wants something else and you never wanna stay doing the same set. So I start prepping around like today, it's Tuesday. Uh Wednesday, I'm prepping for the weekend already. You know, I'm putting my players together. They're telling me the demographic. How many guests, uh do they want me to blow it out of the water or do they want me just to,
you know, keep it, keep it chill. You know, there's always different vibes that they want. So I start prepping, downloading, organizing my folders in the Serato DJ program that I use. What's really fun with this program I use while I'm D jing, I'm able to cut out stems from certain songs. So if I wanna get rid of the drums,
I could get rid of the drums if I wanna get rid of the third verse. Vocals, that's what I do. That way the saxophone could shine on that third verse and do his own rendition of, you know, the vocal lines or maybe have a guitarist, you know, uh do a solo. So I have so much fun with it
and when you're constantly working with music, your brain is just full of ideas, you know. Oh, this song is in the same key as this song. This will go great together. So let me create a quick mash up, you know, quick little remix.
How, how many people come to you honestly who kind of know you or recognize you and give you an idea. Everyone, everyone's got an idea, right. How often do you, do you get someone saying, hey, have you thought about this? And are any, are any of those ideas ever any good?
Not much pat? But I'm lucky that all my best friends, they're all DJ S. So we're always sending each other stuff like, hey, look what I came up with, you know, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such creative people as well, you know,
and that's really cool. So you'll do now, I know you're, you're probably a protective as you should be and b you're, you're humble. So I'm not gonna pry you to name drop too much, but I know
you'll take gigs with thousands and thousands of people, arenas, you know, wherever it might be. And I guess you'll do with celebrities, private parties, those types of things. Um Can I ask you just for some fun? Like what's, what's some of the coolest, what big or small in your memory of, of your career right now? What, what are some of the coolest, you know, just fun gigs that you have done that really stick out?
Oh, man, there, there are so many uh to think of, there was one that I did in Star Island with uh Leonardo Dicaprio Mel Gibson.
Um Jonah Hill. This was right after the Wolf of Wall Street movie, I guess. Rap um, Gerard Butler. There was so many people I looked up to even little John was out there and they just wanted hip hop and I was so surprised, I thought they were gonna want it to be like stuffy, you know, music or house music. But they just wanted the down south hip hop from Atlanta, you know,
and that was so fun because it was so unexpected. But everyone had a great time there and, and then this past week I did a party for Dakota Johnson's movie and she just wanted the most. I, I've never played this music. But The Strokes, the Cranberries, the Shins.
Yeah. She really was a fan of, of Remy Wolf. Uh Billie Eilish, you know, I've, I've never really played a whole night of just that type of music, but it was challenging and i, it was a small party for 30 people but everyone had such a great time in uh in Toronto for the film festival. And that was the night that surprised me. Like, wow, I can do this as well. You know.
You know,
you don't fit that stuff in your suitcase. Do you, do you, how do you, how do you get it all there? That's, I have a crazy question, but you're making me think about Toronto and you know, you got your stuff. Is it just, you get the plane and you, you get it all hauled up there. How that's gotta be a process.
No, no. All, all I do is take my book back with my laptop and everywhere you go they have, uh, the standard DJ equipment on, on my writer. So, you know, you just show up, plug in and you're set.
Has there ever been a celeb? And I'll, I'll stop pestering you with celebrity questions. Like a fan boy here. But has there ever been one that really surprised you? It was just so cool. I doubt you get starstruck anymore. But do you, do you ever get starstruck anymore? And has anyone ever just surprised you at? Just how really cool they were? I'm sure they all are. But like anyone that really jumped out at you.
Well, it's funny you say that I like um I'm not really starstruck but I do love food Network stars. Those are the guys, those are the guys and girls that I'm like, oh my God, I watch you all the time when I'm not d jing. I'm watching a cooking show.
I'm trying to cook every day, trying to do something creative that takes my mind off music for, for a little bit, you know, so like Giada was really cool. Um Sharon Sanchez. Um these are all chefs. Um I, I just love chefs and food and the culinary world. So
if I get to do um like food, food network events, cooking, you know, that's, that's my go to and they're all humble, you could tell. Yeah.
I gotta,
I gotta imagine you're eating at the best restaurants in the world. It's gotta be a fun gig. Um And I've, I've seen some of those chefs on your IG page. If no, if you just for anyone who just wants to see DJ car, he go to his Instagram page
and you can see the fun that you're having. I mean, I know it's photos but you're having fun doing this. Um And you talk about these stars and you talk about other DJ s and your friends are DJ S and musicians. Um I, I'd like to ask this question because it's sort of the way of the world now and I love it. I love collaborations. Are you looking at any collaborations right now or, or have any collaborations that you've done or are gonna be doing sometime soon?
Well, right now I'm working on my own um album. I started during the 2020 lockdown.
So I'm so excited to put that funk project together with all my friends. It's all live music, you know, I programmed everything on my keyboard, but then I have the live music elements being recorded as we speak. And so my plan is to mix and master that. I work with a lot of gospel singers too cause I really love the soul in their voice. So I'm excited to get that, you know, local Miami artists and um musicians
put this project together and just release it because what, what good is it serving me being in my, in my laptop. You know, I, I'd rather share it with the
world.
I count, count me in as one of the first I'll be downloading and purchasing. Um I'm not gonna keep you much longer. You've been incredibly gracious DJ Cardi. I, I will ask you, uh you mentioned this before, you know, the cooking show and I saw you with some world renowned chefs on your pages, your, your uh social media pages. But
other than cooking and, and enjoying good food, you're a Miami guy. You love the heat. Um You know, what do you do when you're, I mean, you're, you're everywhere and you're in demand. I know you've gotta learn. Probably your process is learning to say no, you're such in high demand. But I don't know when you say no because I see you everywhere. But what do you do with, with your spare time? What, what do you enjoy doing?
Yeah. So I said cooking and I really love the movie. So every week I try to, I try to visit the movies every Tuesday and I go to these advanced screenings and it's really cool. You get to see these movies before they come out and that's why I'm such a fan of film festival. Um I, I love to see what people are doing. I love meeting the directors, the, the filmmakers. It's very exciting to see how they come up with this and put it together.
So, movies like music, they're storytelling. So that's something I could connect with. I don't do movies but it's something I love and I appreciate.
Have
you,
have
you not been in a movie?
Yeah.
No, man,
I
thought one of these guys would slide you in. Come on. Now, anyone this may or may not. I mean, we have some listeners and we've, we've got some that have gone out. You need to be in a movie. That's crazy. You're always around these guys. I need, I need to see some IM DB uh credits here. So II I really was assuming you had been, I find that hard to believe they have it squeezed you in. So, uh next time we talk, I need some, I need some movie, some movie credits from you. Um
Good
idea. Good idea.
Uh I've had a lot of fun talking to you. I wanna mention this because uh before we go, you are coming down and like I said, you always come down with your heart. I mean, it's leading you here to the Keys. Um I'm sure you have, you have some fun Florida Keys stories being a Miami guy. But the times I've seen you, you've come down to support some calls as this most recent one you're gonna be doing is October 12th. I'm saying it because as we speak and as this, this podcast comes out, uh
and, and even in print as this comes out, there's still some tickets left for this event and it's for a great cause. But I will tell you the cause is great. The ticket is worth it just because of you and no one wants to miss this. It's October 12th. It's benefiting United United way of caller and the Keys. And Andy Griffiths, a retiring school board member for almost 30 years plus
is retiring and he wanted to have a retirement party, but not all about Andy, he's doing it. Obviously, you're coming to support in every, proceed, everything that goes into, it supports, um, you know, the early learning coalition is matching every dollar and it supports those Children um, toward the success by six program. And that allows people to have scholarships for a full year of quality preschool and that's for local Children here in the Keys and beyond. And you're coming down to support that
and I just wanna encourage people that you can still grab a ticket. As I'm saying this, I don't know if it's sold out yet because it is limited. You can still see it here in the Florida in Key West. The show's gonna be October 12th and you can get those tickets at United Way, call your Keys coll I, er, United Way, call your keys.org and you can grab tickets there,
um, as they remain. And so, um, I really appreciate you doing that. It says a lot about who you are when I see you come down here for things like that in Wesley House. Um, and I just, I'll just ask you as we wrap this up. Is that, is that something you do on the regular? I mean, I know people ask you to do all kinds of things and I mentioned before, it's probably hard for you to say no. But are you, is this is, you know, why is that kind of stuff important to you? And, and how often are you doing those types of things?
Yes, definitely anything with kids education and well being, uh especially in the family um atmosphere. I, I really love doing these things. I really connect with it. I've been, uh, you know, one of the things I got started out, I've been diabetic my whole life since a kid. So one of the causes I love working with is juvenile diabetes, you know, their foundation. And from then I, I just started doing these type of things. It's just an extra,
you know, an extra, like,
great thing you could contribute to, you know, bring your energy, bring that smile and people will feel good about showing up and contributing as well, you know.
Well, just promise me you're gonna make this is, this is gonna benefit, you know, obviously United Way. But it, it's in, it's on behalf of Andy who was, who, who's, who's retiring. Uh, are you going to, we have to make sure promise me Andy's gonna be front and center. He's gotta do some dancing before the night's over. He's gotta be up there. So, uh and I know you're close, close with um the Talbot family and Sam still and Yvette and that wonderful family. I wanna thank them for connecting me with you and I know you have a close bond with them, but
um I can tell you on behalf of the Florida Keys and all the things we try to do to, to raise awareness and support down here to have someone like you come down and, and share your time and your passion and your talents um with us is, is beyond appreciated. So I wanna say thank you for everyone for that and we can't wait to see you.
Oh, no. Thank you guys. And thank Andy and everyone from the Keys for always bringing me down and telling me about these great, great events.
You got it, man. So, uh Florida Keys Weekly podcast, we have been honored um as you probably know to have DJ
Cardi on with us today. He said you let me call you Cardi. Now it's a big moment for me in my life. I, I didn't get the invite to the Dicaprio Mel Gibson party on Star Island, but I get to call you Cardi. So I'm moving up in the world and
I've been
Cardi since, since, yeah, since I was a kid,
I wasn't going to ask you. But you know, when Cardi B came along, did you call her up and be like, hey, wait a minute, that's me or?
Yeah, I was like, oh, it's just one song, one song. And I was like, oh, I was wrong. I was wrong. I, I love her though. I love her. But
yeah, there you go.
Hey DJ. Cardi Cardi much appreciated and I can't wait to see you and love to have you back on some time. You're always welcome. Um You know, we're, we're humbled and honored to have you. So, of course, you're always welcome. But uh I can't wait to see you. And thank you again for coming on the Florida Keys Weekly podcast.
Thanks for it. Much love.
