By Gina Horan
Robert Lutrell, aka Tiki Bob, is Still Making Waves in Leesburg
Robert Lutrell started playing the guitar and singing with other musicians over 50 years ago in his hometown of Lansing, Michigan.
When he made Florida his permanent home, his beachy attire and a nearby palapa inspired a new stage name.
“The nickname started almost by accident,” he says. “I was playing under a Tiki hut at Holiday RV Village in Leesburg when a friend looked over and said, ‘Tiki Bob!’ The name just stuck.”
The nickname may be playful, but the man is a passionate performer.
His shows are built around variety, familiar songs and crowd participation. He plays music from artists such as The Eagles, Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty and Bob Seger, along with other songs meant to get people singing along, dancing and smiling.
“My favorite part of performing is the connection with the crowd,” he says. “Tennessee Whiskey is the most popular song at the moment, but when they sing songs like Sweet Caroline or Margaritaville, it’s the best part of the show.”
One of his greatest influences was his first bandmate and friend Steve O’Connor. He has since passed away, but his impact remains.
His musical inspirations are broad, but The Dave Clark Five holds a special place in his heart. He sang their hit “Because” to his wife, Lynn, at their wedding.
“Lynn is a huge part of Tiki Bob,” he says. “She is not only my biggest fan, but she does the PR, the scheduling and manages everything so I can play.”
Florida was also part of him long before he moved here.
“I visited Daytona in 1973 and the combination of Beach Boys songs, the ocean and the Florida lifestyle stayed with me,” he says. “I knew that Florida would one day become home.”
Even after 50 years of performing, Bob still describes music as a gift.
“It reminds me that every performance is another chance to share the gift of music.”
Hear his music at tikibobmusic.com
Photos: Nicole Hamel
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Gina moved to Central Florida from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2021. She holds a degree in linguistics and has worked as a fashion editor, photo stylist, lifestyle columnist and food writer since 1995. She later covered travel, events, restaurants, music festivals and sports throughout Northern California, including work as a morning show host with KSAN radio and food critic for KRON Bay TV. A veteran bartender, she has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. Gina joined Akers Media in 2022 and is currently the Food and Lifestyle Editor. Her passions include travel, road trips, history books and podcasts, tasting menus and arriving in a new city without a map.
