Saturday is Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. It may have been a few days early, but in honor of Ol’ Blue Eyes, St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman posted a special kind of happy birthday on his political Facebook page.
Last November, at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Studio @620 at the coliseum, Kriseman sang his own rendition of one of Sinatra’s hits – “My Kind of Town.”
In Sinatra’s original, the town, of course, is Chicago. But in Kriseman’s version it’s St. Pete. And he throws in some special places including the Coliseum and Studio @620.
Now, those who follow along with St. Pete politics and any who are otherwise in St. Pete’s socialite class, probably know our Mayor has got some pipes, but a lot of people don’t.
“Who knew? Great music talent, Rick,” wrote Judi LaRue.
In a recent performance for Studio @620, Kriseman prerecorded several lines in a radio theater skit. The script called for Kriseman to sing a Fleetwood Mac ditty. He wouldn’t do it.
But this post is a reminder that not only can Kriseman sing, he can sing well, and he’s not afraid to put some pizazz into it. At one point in the year-old performance, someone places a very Sinatra-esque hat atop the Mayor’s head and he doesn’t take it off.
“OK, we win. Best. Mayor. Ever,” wrote Sean Nordquist.
The sentiment was followed up by several others including Bonnie Agan who wrote Kriseman was “first class all the way.”
So, what’s the point? As the year winds down Kriseman has a lot to look back on and worry about. There are failed Rays deals, shaky curbside recycling rollout, controversial Pier proposals and raw sewage dumps. But Kriseman’s little Sinatra ditty is a reminder that Mayors are people too and sometimes they’re pretty neat.
Kudos, Kriseman. When shall we expect your next performance?
