The U.S. Naval Institute’s website has more photos and info from Jimmy Buffett’s appearance at the Academy where he was awarded the Navy’s top civilian award:

The musician — known for Gulf Coast casual songs of beachside utopia with hits like “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “Changes Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” — was presented with the Superior Public Service Award by Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer for supporting the Navy and Marine Corps before Wednesday’s annual Naval Academy Spring Concert.

“So, you know, we do a lot of work in the Navy, but tonight it’s not about work,” Spencer told the Brigade of Midshipmen when introducing Buffett.

Video of the show posted to Buffett’s Facebook page, and photos on the U.S. Naval Academy Facebook page, show Spencer on stage, slipping out of his suit jacket, loosening his tie, and stripping off his button-up shirt to reveal a blue Hawaiian shirt underneath, with darker blue block lettering on the back spelling “NAVY”.

Then, donning red parrot-head headgear, Spencer presented Buffett with the award.

“He has been a member of the Navy family going back to 1980 when he played here at the Academy when your superintendent was dating his wife,” Spencer said, referring to Vice Adm. Ted Carter, the superintendent of the Naval Academy.

The citation recognizes Buffett as an “Unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps. His dedicated service to our sailors, Marines, wounded warriors, and civilians ensured that they were provided highly visible support and gratitude that greatly enhanced morale and welfare across the Department.”

On a personal note, Spencer told the brigade how much Buffett’s music has meant to him through the years.

“I saw Jimmy Buffett in 1972 when he opened for a fellow by the name Ronald Clyde Crosby also known as Jerry Jeff Walker,” Spencer said. “His songs and albums carried me through my time in college and the Marine Corps.”

Read the full article here.

Jimmy Buffett was in Annapolis on Wednesday rehearsing for the upcoming 2018 tour at the Naval Academy.

While there, Vice Admiral Ted Carter, superintendent of the Naval Academy, presented Jimmy with the Navy’s Superior Public Service Award for his support of the men and women of the Navy over the years, including concerts, personal appearances, and support that “directly impacted the quality of life for the men, women, and families of the Department of the Navy.”

"I was supposed to have been a Jesuit priest or a Naval Academy grad That was the way that my parents perceived me Those were the plans that they had Though I couldn't fit the part too dumb or too smart Ain't it funny how we all turned out" A real honor – thank you Richard Spencer and the entire USNA!!!

A post shared by Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) on Mar 28, 2018 at 7:51pm PDT

SiriusXM will broadcast tonight’s hurricane relief concert:

Sometimes when bad things happen, good people come together to do great things. First responders acted swiftly to aid those injured during this terrible hurricane season and supported those who lost so much. Now, music’s superstars are joining in to raise money for 2017 Hurricane victims with the Trying to Reason Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert, taking place Sunday, Nov. 19 in Tallahassee, Florida.

In this one-of-a-kind live performance, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and The Coral Reefer Band will hit the stage alongside special guest Jake Owen as well as opening act Caroline Jones.

This historic event sold out in 11 minutes, making it the fastest sell-out in Tucker Civic Center’s history. So, if you weren’t able to snag a pair of tickets, fear not! You can still hear the performance LIVE on SiriusXM’s Radio Margaritaville (Ch. 24) and No Shoes Radio (Ch. 57) starting 7:45 pm ET/4:45 pm PT.

Next month Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith will perform together at a benefit concert in Tallahassee for hurricane relief:

Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith together with the Coral Reefer Band will unite to perform at a Florida Hurricane Benefit Concert, “Trying to Reason…” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Tucker Civic Center.

Proceeds of this benefit concert will help communities in Florida, Puerto Rico and the islands affected by hurricanes in 2017.

“Florida State University was fortunate to be spared from the worst of Hurricane Irma, but we know that was not the case for many of our fellow Floridians,” Florida State University President John Thrasher said. “We’re happy to be able to help our neighbors by hosting this benefit concert and hopefully offer some relief to those hardest hit by the storm.”

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.Friday, Oct. 27. Visit tuckerciviccenter.com, call 850-583-4871 or purchase at the Tucker Civic Center Box Office. There is an eight ticket limit per customer.

Jimmy Buffett has posted a message on the recent devastation across the Caribbean and in Florida from Hurricane Irma:

“I have always depended upon the kindness of strangers”

Blanche DuBois – from the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire”

It might seem strange to be quoting Blanche DuBois in the aftermath of a hurricane, but her words seem to fit the scenario that so many people across the Caribbean and the whole state of Florida are now feeling. When your reality is blown away in a matter of hours, the kindness of strangers becomes a lifeline. Now in the 43rd hurricane season since I wrote the lyrics to “Tryin’ To Reason With Hurricane Season”, here we are again.

Singing For Change (SFC), our Foundation, was created 20 years ago, as a way to give back to communities where we play our live shows. But when bigger problems than what we are used to handling appear, we have to adapt. Through experience with Katrina and the Haitian earthquake, we’ve learned that the effects of disasters are still evident long after the TV crews have packed up and left, but we will still be there quietly making noise.

We live and work in the tropics and understand you have to have a plan of action when trouble appears on the horizon. As Irma plowed North, our team handled the needs of our staff and guests affected by the hurricane, and will continue to do so, as work begins to rebuild.

It takes a long time to recover from a hurricane. Some things do come back, some things don’t. Only last week, as I flew into New Orleans while Irma was ravaging St. Barth, I looked down at the land surrounding the airport, which was underwater when I flew there right after the storm, is today back to being a bustling community.

Hurricanes are forces of nature. Their arrivals are frightening and their departures leave chaos and turmoil, and the kindness of strangers can be the salve that helps with the healing. We have been there in the past, and will continue to do so.

Though I can’t physically be at the Harvey Benefit in Austin this month, I will do what I can from afar. When the waters in Florida recede and it is safe to do so, we will organize a benefit there as well. Stay tuned. In the meantime, just breathe in, breathe out and move on.

Fins Up,

JB