The Mountain Press has an article discussing the possibility of a Margaritaville opening in the tourist town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee:

If the lyrics are true, it seems “somewhere” could be downtown Gatlinburg — with the city’s Municipal/Regional Planning Commission set to consider a commercial site plan for a popular Jimmy Buffett-inspired casual dining chain or merchandise store during its meeting at 5 p.m. today in City Hall.

On the agenda is a site plan for Margaritaville at 805 Parkway, a property that was home to the recently demolished Midtown Lodge and an area where construction is ongoing on a multi-story parking garage.

Details surrounding the project are limited, though officials with Margaritaville Holdings, LLC have confirmed their interest in bringing the brand here.

“We are considering the possibility of coming to the area and we would like to see it happen,” an email from the company’s management group’s publicity division stated. “At this point in time it’s too premature to give any further details, but we are considering Gatlinburg for a Margaritaville location. It’s definitely a market we’re interested in coming to.”

They were unable to confirm whether the property — located on the corner of Parkway, Maple Lane and River Road — would be home to an eatery or shop. They’re still conducting preliminary research into the market, the email said.

Jimmy Buffett will be opening his first Margaritaville Cafe in Australia this November at Darling Harbour in Sydney:

“Bringing Margaritaville to Australia will provide a new and exciting dining experience unlike any other,” said Schlebusch. “We offer our guests a unique combination of great food and refreshing drinks with a personalized experience from our hospitable staff. Your visit to Margaritaville will definitely be a memorable one.”

Opening in the current Docks Hotel, which closes Sunday the 19th of August, Margaritaville will have an all-star location with a completely refitted interior. Margaritaville Darling Harbour will feature an abundance of indoor seating with an upbeat and fun atmosphere as well as an outdoor patio to enjoy the scenic harbour views. This new restaurant concept will liven up Darling Harbour and provide a fresh spot to dine with frequent live music, palm trees, deck chairs, and surf boards for a true beach feel.

“Harbourside is thrilled to have secured such a high profile international brand as Margaritaville. Without a doubt it will only compliment the Harbourside precinct adding a further dimension and will raise the standard yet again on cool casual dining,” commented Harbourside General Manager, Tim Andrews. “Morney brings a wealth of experience to Harbourside and is sure to make it a summer to remember! What could be better than long days and great margaritas on the edge of Darling Harbour?”

Though this well-known franchise is famous for its margaritas and cheeseburgers, it provides a little something for everyone in the neighbourhood. You’ll find a menu just for the kids, heaps of memorabilia to help you remember your trip to Australia’s first Margaritaville, cold beer, delicious food, and entertainment for the whole family.

“A Margaritaville in Darling Harbor? It certainly seems like a natural port of call for me. But, as usual, there is a story to go along with the idea. My connection to Australia began nearly 200 years ago when the descendants of my seafaring distant relative, John Buffett, made the trip from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island thus depositing the first Buffetts on Australian soil. Couple that bit of history to my debut show in Bondi over 20 years ago, followed by the incredible adventure and fun I had during the hey day of 12 meter America’s Cup racing in Perth in 1987; and topped off by my recent stage dive in Sydney on Australia Day a year ago, and you can see that it is only natural in my way of thinking, that the land down under, the true land of boats, beaches and bars, needed a Margaritaville. Darling Harbour, here we come, and this son of son of a sailor couldn’t be happier,” says Buffett.

A second location is planned near Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Be sure to Like Margaritaville Australia on Facebook!

“Quiet About It” is available for download now at iTunes! The album is a gift from grateful musicians and songwriters including Jimmy Buffett, Mac McAnally, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Allen Toussaint, Little Feat and more to a master – Jesse Winchester.

Excerpts taken from the album liner notes written by Bill Flanagan:

I don’t know anyone who dislikes Jesse Winchester’s music. It seems to me that there are only those who love it and those who have never heard it. Jesse is a songwriter’s songwriter, praised by every composer from Dylan down and covered by greats from Wilson Pickett to the Everly Brothers. Jesse Winchester’s songs are like mirrors in which both performers and listeners can see themselves. Among Jesse’s most prominent fans are Jimmy Buffett and Elvis Costello, both of whom have covered a number of Jesse songs on record and in concert, and both of whom performed with him on television in 2010 – Elvis on his SPECTACLE series and Jimmy on his CONCERT FOR THE GULF special after the BP oil spill…Buffett and Costello both took great pleasure in introducing one of their musical heroes to their own audience.

A year after that, in 2011, Jesse was told he had esophageal cancer. He stopped in the middle of a tour and began radiation treatments, followed by surgery. Immediately, Buffett and Costello agreed that it would be a good idea to put together a tribute album as a show of support.

At Christmas of 2011 Buffett wrote to Jesse and told him the album was coming, a gift from a whole bunch of grateful musicians and songwriters to a master. Jesse expressed his gratitude and had some good news of his own. He had beat the odds – after treatment and surgery the doctors had told him he was cancer free. Soon he returned to the road and as of this writing is performing again, making up for a lost year. A happy ending all around.

This album is a tribute to a great singer/songwriter and also to the community of musicians who pulled together to show their love and respect to Jesse when he was down. Now that Jesse is back up, make sure you see him when he comes to your town. They are not making any more like him.

Get the album now at iTunes!

Jimmy Buffett’s 2012 tour is winding down, with only six shows left on the schedule. But should we expect another show or two to be added?

The Buffett roadies The Margarillas dropped a hint today that Jimmy will be playing somewhere overseas in September:

Word has it from #Margaritaville headquarters that we may need our passports in September.Stay tuned!

— The Margarillas (@Margarillas) August 14, 2012

The last five years Jimmy has played Paris in September. Might he be heading back to the City of Love? We’ll post more as it becomes available.

In the mean time, check out all of the dates that have been announced so far on our Tour Dates page.

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo attended Jimmy Buffett’s concert at Riverbend Amphitheater in Cincinnati last night and talked a little bit about it today with nationally syndicated radio host Jim Rome.

Arroyo discussed how he spent part of the time on a boat in the river, and then he and Rome talked about how Buffett has an enviable life.

Listen: