Welcome to Matt’s: Volume 3 – The Idol, The Open Mic, and Two Guys from Cali  

It was a Tuesday.
Or maybe a Monday that forgot what I was doing.

I’d stayed late the night before—caught a bit of open mic at the bar down the road. Wasn’t expecting much. But then this guy stepped up with a worn acoustic, lit into a ballad, and the whole room just stopped.

Turns out, he was Aaron Kelly — yep, American Idol finalist, small-town heartthrob, now a local Florida voice who slips in and out of scenes like a song you didn’t know you missed.

He’s playing at “Matt’s Place” this weekend, and I had front-row gossip for anyone who walked through the door.

Then they did.

Two guys, fresh off a red-eye from Venice, California, wearing tank tops and sunglasses indoors.
They looked around like they expected someone to hand them a surfboard and a kombucha flight.

Dude 1: “This Venice is wild. No waves, just… birds.”
Dude 2: “And like, is this it? Where’s the action?”

They started browsing the Delta shelf like they were searching for purpose in gummy form.

🎤 Cue the Bud-tender

Me: “Rough landing?”

Dude 1: “Just different. Cali’s got beach bums. Venice, Florida’s got… birds.”

Me: “Well, our birds sing. Ever heard of Aaron Kelly?”

Dude 2: “Wait… the guy from Idol? Like… actually Idol?”

Me (pulling up the Wikipedia page):
“That’s the one. Finalist. Born in Davenport, Florida. Made a name across the country. These days? He drops into open mics like it’s nothing. Played just last night right here in Venice.”

Dude 1: “For real?”

Me: “For real. And this weekend, he’s headlining down in Matlacha.”

Dude 2: “What’s that? A winery or something?”

Me: “Not quite. “Matt’s Place”. Best dockside spot in all of Pine Island. Officially it’s the Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill, but the nickname stuck after a sunburned tourist renamed it by accident. Now it’s local lore.”

Dude 1: “So Aaron Kelly’s playing… there?”

Me: “Yep. Stage, seafood, the works. Less than an hour south. He’ll melt your brain with a ballad, then take a selfie by the shrimp tacos.”

Dude 2: “I mean… we weren’t doing anything.”

Me (grinning): “You are now.”

🎤 Aaron Kelly at “Matt’s Place” Yucatan Waterfront, Matlacha FL
  • Aaron Kelly — American Idol finalist, born in Davenport, Florida, known for his velvet tone and heartfelt ballads
  • Plays select shows around the state — Venice, Sarasota, and now Matlacha
  • Catch him live at Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill — also known as “Matt’s Place”, and the place to be in Matlacha
📍 Your Gulf Coast Guide
  • Start in Venice, FL: brunch at Côté France, live music at TJ Carney’s, artisan shopping on Tampa Ave
  • Stop in the CBD shop across from Centennial Park (that one) for the good vibes and great stories
  • Head south to Matlacha, past Burnt Store and Bokeelia
  • End your day dockside at Matt’s Place — where the drinks are strong, the stage is open, and the next headliner might’ve been on TV

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