However, one thing remains true, the inventiveness featured in this encyclopedia that once was confined to Florida garages is now forever captured on prominent record labels.

Talent boogies, jams and rocks out of every amped corner of our great peninsula, from Pensacola’s bluesy soul melodies to Miami’s caliente rhythms. Because of Florida’s unique geographical location and wonderfully eclectic mix of people, no sound ever is neglected. In fact, new mellifluous genre hybrids proliferate from the many musical minds residing in the sunny south.

Florida’s Famous & Forgotten ... is the only place where all of the Sunshine State’s musical families co-exist side by side in such an extensive scope. Never before has such an in-depth look at Florida musicians been published; and who better to compile such detailed radical recollections than Kurt “King of the Oldies” Curtis, radio disc jockey extraordinaire dubbed by some as the longest-running and top-ranked Tampa Bay grand mix master for more than 30 years, a heated music connoisseur and a true rock ‘n’ roller at heart. His many years personally absorbing the Florida music scene through his amazing life experiences validate him as an uber-authority on Florida’s rock, soul and dance artists.

And these artists are vast! Whether still rockin’ and rollin’ or reveling in obscurity, they are all featured in this amazing encyclopedia. The author made it his life’s work to both celebrate the popular musicians and resurrect those forgotten.

Sections include a background story on each band, some more detailed than others depending on their state impact. Many entries are colorfully illustrated with priceless photos. Album covers, although prominent, are just the needle of the record player. Fantastic vintage flyers, personally autographed glossies and incomparable memorabilia grace the encyclopedia’s 1,000-plus pages. Although the massive book is mostly geared toward musicians who have celebrated most of their success in Florida, KOTO uses his own artistic license on occasion by including artists who may not have experienced direct Florida association, but have adorned it in some great way.

Another excellent feature in this encyclopedia is the meticulous use of cross-reference. This is a fantastic tool for quick accreditation. The ample indexes act as a virtual information piñata, filled to the brim with fun melodic treats. KOTO goes as far as to list an abundance of songs that mention Florida in any way ... whether it be by water body, attraction, city or county. He also pays tribute, in a bittersweet laudation, to the old Florida diners, record stores and drive-in theaters that played an integral part in the state’s musical ambience.

The intimate relationship KOTO had with the music industry exudes from every word he wrote, and Florida’s Famous & Forgotten’s ... readers will feel that spark through their fingertips. It is KOTO’s amazing life that gives this book completeness and sincerity that to which none other could ever measure.