Meet the Music: Chocolate Covered Cherries

• The Basics:

Band Name: The Chocolate Covered Cherries

Members: Pamela Love, 47 and Gary Mleinek, 55

Hometown: Pamela is from Belding, Michigan while Gary comes from Ontario, Canada

• Meet the Music:

Q: How did you both end up in Florida?

Pamela: "We both have family in Pinellas County. Gary moved here in 1993 and I moved down in 1997. Sunny, warm weather is quite enticing when you're from the north."

Q: How long have you both been musicians? 

Pamela: "I have been singing along with the radio ever since I can remember, but professionally since 2004.  Gary has been playing the guitar for 47 years which explains why he's so AMAZING at it. Even after eight years of standing next to him while he plays, he continues to blow my mind with his talent."

Q: Who inspires you, musically?

Pamela: "Heart, Janis Joplin, Steve Perry, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac"

Gary: "Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Santana"

Q: How did the two of you meet and form a band?

Pamela: "I was a bartender at Caddy's for seven years and from time to time I would sit in with the band for a few songs.  Gary had a solo gig there and a mutual friend urged us to form a duo, so we chatted on the phone and he invited me to join him at his Sunday solo gig.  The owner liked what he heard and we were booked as The Chocolate Covered Cherries on weekends for the next 6 years. Our first gig was in May of 2004 and to this day we have never once gotten together for a practice.  Sometimes "winging it" just works out."

Q: What kind of music do you perform?

Pamela: "Our aim is to please everyone, so we do songs from most genres: classic rock, blues, country, disco or any type of music that people like to dance to. Generally speaking, if you can think of songs that put people in a happy mood, those are the songs we do."

Q: What is your favorite part about playing music on the beach?

Pamela: "We both love the great scenery, open air and an easy relaxed atmosphere. If a small thing like singing a favorite song for the people who come back, year after year, for their week long vacations helps create a great memory for them, consider it done."

Q: Where do you see yourselves in ten years?

Pamela: "Living the dream, in other words I have no idea; spreading harmony and good feelings where ever I go. I really have no idea! (laughs)"

Q: Where do the Chocolate Covered Cherries perform on the beaches?

Pamela: "We are at and we're at . Other than that, check our Facebook page for schedule updates."