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Paleontologist writes a song about Tampa

Photo from Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia will perform “Corazon de Tampa”, a song he wrote last year, at the Tampa Theatre on Oct. 21. It will be part of a day-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2009

RUSKIN - Mayor Pam Iorio has proclaimed today Hispanic Heritage Day in Tampa.

To help celebrate, the mayor's Hispanic Heritage Celebration Committee has enlisted Ruskin's Frank Garcia to perform "Corazon de Tampa" - a song he wrote about growing up in Tampa in the middle of the 20th century - at the Tampa Theatre.

Not bad for a novice singer-songwriter who is infinitely more famous for his numerous paleontological discoveries.

"I knew I had a good voice, and I used to play the sax years ago, but other than that I had zero songwriting experience," said Garcia. "What made me want to do something was a friend of mine playing a song he'd done about Tampa.

"To me, it didn't say what Tampa was really about - it sounded too commercialized."

Last September, Garcia began a two-week songwriting process that consisted of him humming the tune he wanted into a tape recorder and adding lyrics.

"I told myself that it had to be melodic, and that it had to have a Latin beat," he said. "Tampa wasn't founded by anyone other than the Latinos."

Garcia, 63, was born in New York City, but his family moved to Tampa when he was 10 months old.

"Corazon de Tampa" - which translates to "Heart of Tampa" - is sung in English. It also features a number of Spanish instruments and numerous references to Cuban culture, reflecting Garcia's heritage.

Shortly after finishing the song, Garcia played "Corazon de Tampa" for WFLA radio personality Tedd Webb.

Webb, who will serve as master of ceremonies during today's celebration, suggested that Garcia record the song.

"I believe his exact words were, 'If you don't record it, I'm going to kill you,'

" Garcia said.

Garcia took Webb's advice and enlisted the help of his friend David Hubbell, a musician.

Hubbell arranged Garcia's recordings, and the duo traveled to Orlando to record the track with composer Glenn Longacre.

"Corazon de Tampa" is the title track on a four-song album that also features an instrumental version of the song and a version with Garcia singing the harmony part. The fourth song is "Besame Mucho" by Consuelo Velazquez, a 1940s standard that has been recorded by artists around the world.

Ruskin resident Fred Jacobsen created a YouTube video for "Corazon de Tampa" that features Garcia's family pictures. He has also led an online petition to make the tune the official song of Tampa.

"Like many others here in the Tampa Bay region, I am a transplant," Jacobsen wrote to the mayor and the city council in his petition. "This song expresses my newfound love for Tampa, my new hometown."

The lyrics to "Corazon de Tampa" will be printed on the event program, and the audience will be asked to join in on the last chorus.

"I am more excited about this than any of my discoveries," Garcia said. "This is about me being able to recreate a way of life that is all but gone today that was a slice of heaven on Earth."

For information on "Corazon de Tampa," e-mail garcia fossilfinder@yahoo.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The 21st annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

WHERE: The Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. Tampa

WHEN: 11 a.m. today

COST: Free

INFORMATION: (813) 274-5537

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 627-4762.

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