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KEY WEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Jared Michael Hobgood
MOJITO JOE
Jared Michael Hobgood (a.k.a. Mojito Joe, JMH) was born in
Evansville, IN. His first paid gig was doing dinner theatre when he was 12. At
13 he learned to play guitar and at 16 he was playing in bars before he even
supposed to be in them-- quickly discovering they never card the entertainment.
After a couple of years playing clubs around the Lake Barkley area of Kentucky,
he played the Ann Arbor area (while attending the University of Michigan)
including the folk club "The Ark", a venue which featured musicians like Ritchie
Havens and Chrissie Hynde.
After Mojito got tired of digging his jeep out of 6 feet of snow, he moved to
the balmy climes of Florida. Settling in South Tampa, MJ played bars/clubs in
Ybor City, New Orleans, Gainesville, Tampa, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Ft.
Lauderdale, and Miami.
After a couple of years of performing down south, he decided to try his show
overseas. He moved to London to study acting and stand-up comedy. He also
performed his show in cities across Europe. After returning to the United States
he decided to attend law school at the University of Florida.
During summer break he went on vacation to Key West “for a couple days.” While
relaxing one day on Duval street, he stopped at an Irish bar that had opened
that week. The owner of Irish Kevin’s asked him to sing a couple songs. That was
over 9 years ago. Mojito Joe fell in love with Key West and made it his home.
With his trademark black guayabera and Panama hat, JMH has earned his title as
“The Hardest Working Man in Key West” by delivering his high energy interactive
show of sing alongs and “caribbean travel rock” night after night at Irish
Kevin’s since they opened their doors in ‘98. He has been voted "Best Irish
Entertainer of the Year" and was runner up (to Irish Kevin) for "Entertainer of
the Year." MJ has recorded 4 CDs that can be heard on the air in markets from
Baltimore to San Diego. Clips of his show have appeared on A&E, the BBC, E!, Mtv,
and an adult film that shall remain nameless (no joke).
Since moving to Key West, Mojito has lived/traveled/performed through 6 of the 7
continents on planet Earth, including, but not limited to, cities in England,
Scotland, Wales, France, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Costa
Rica, Belize, Mexico, Canada, Mauritania, South Africa, Swazi, Zimbabwe, Zambia
& the islands of : Cuba, the Bahamas, Cozumel, St. Maarten, Grand Cayman, Kuauii,
Hawaii, Oahu, Ambergris Caye and St. Thomas. These days he can be found in bars
and airports from Paris to Panama, Havana to Hawaii, and Costa Rica to Cape
Town. With a guitar on his back and a smile on his face, Mojito Joe looks
forward to the next adventure that calls.
"How lucky am I? I actually look forward to going to work. Besides porn stars,
not a whole lot of people can say that. So, many thanks to all of you for coming
out to my shows, listening to my music, and for keeping me on vacation. Be
easy."
-- Mojito Joe
