By Dick Conklin, Daytona Beach Nightlife Examiner

It seems like singer Tommy Brown and Clancy’s Cantina have been together forever. A stream of long-time fans arrive on a Thursday night, and Brown remembers not only their names but their favorite college football teams.

Clancy’s is relatively new at their current location at 301 Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, but both the restaurant and Tommy Brown have been around for a long time. Clancy’s started in 1983 over on 3rd Avenue, but Brown’s musical career goes back to the 1950s.

He started playing piano and singing in Dallas, sharing the stage with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Trini Lopez and Freddie Fender. In the sixties he performed at the legendary Pillow Talk and Satellite Lounges in Cocoa Beach, and then moved northward, playing for many years at Daytona’s Castaway and AkuTiki restaurants, and finally at Clancy’s.

While patrons order their favorite Mexican dishes, Brown entertains them with a mix of popular oldies and country songs from yesteryear. The dance floor fills up quickly when Tommy plays a slow dance number. Two of Tommy’s musician friends, country singer Mona Bailey and singer / fiddler David Potter show up and join Tommy for a few songs. The audience loves it.

It’s a good idea to call Clancy’s first to confirm that Tommy Brown is playing on any given Thursday. Get there early to get a table up front. You’ll enjoy an evening of good food and good music at Clancy’s Cantina.