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Jimmy Buffett to be Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

April 21st, 2024


The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were announced on Sunday night during American Idol and Jimmy Buffett is among the 16 inductees.

Buffett is to be inducted in the Musical Excellence category: “This category includes artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.”

Other inductees include Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, and Ozzy Osbourne.

Jimmy Buffett’s “Gulf & Western” music has surfed the soundwaves with island escapism since 1973. Born into a long line of sailors, it was only natural that Buffett would be drawn to nautical themes, Caribbean rhythms and instrumentation, and the carefree life of a tropical troubadour. Introduced to Key West in the early 1970s by friend and Texas music icon Jerry Jeff Walker, Buffett moved to the Keys and began writing sunny songs that made everyone want to join him. His lyrics reflected his life – as a world traveler, pilot, and sailor, he wrote about his plane being shot at by Jamaican police (“Jamaica Mistaica”), getting lost in the Sahara Desert (“Buffet Hotel”), and smugglers he had known around the Florida Gulf Coast (“A Pirate Looks at 40”). Buffett’s tropical folk-rock sound is best exemplified by the songs he dubbed “The Big 8,” which included hits such as “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” “Come Monday,” “Margaritaville,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

In 1975, Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band, which would back him for his entire career. In 1985, then-band member Timothy Schmidt is credited with coining the nickname “Parrothead” for Buffett’s devoted fans, both as an homage to the “Deadhead” moniker used for Grateful Dead fans and a reference to the brightly-colored Hawaiian-style beach attire of Buffett’s audiences. The same year, Buffett began to grow his Parrothead lifestyle empire, which eventually included restaurant chains, bars, hotels, casinos, retirement communities, beverages, home goods, apparel, accessories, books, and even a musical.

The 2000s brought Buffett much acclaim. “Margaritaville” was included in the “Songs of the Century,” a list of 365 songs of historical significance selected by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. He won the Country Music Association Awards’ Vocal Event of the Year for his 2003 duet with Alan Jackson, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and in 2010, he was named the tenth biggest touring artist of the decade, with 4.5 million ticket sales over the previous 10 years.

Buffett’s influence can be heard in the mischievous humor and tropical vibes of hits from some of today’s country greats, including Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Zac Brown, Luke Bryan, and Dierks Bentley.





Tagged in Awards

“Margaritaville” Added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

April 12th, 2023


Jimmy Buffett’s signature song “Margaritaville” is one of 25 songs to be added this year to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

The National Recording Registry seeks to preserve recordings for their cultural, historical or aesthetic significance in the nation’s sound heritage.

“The National Recording Registry preserves our history through recorded sound and reflects our nation’s diverse culture,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “The national library is proud to help ensure these recordings are preserved for generations to come.”

With the addition of these 25 songs, the Library’s registry now houses 625 titles.

Other recordings added this year include Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the Madonna album “Like a Virgin,” and the theme music from the Nintendo video game “Super Mario Bros.”

Read more at CBS.com.


Tagged in Awards, Singles

Buffett Inducted into University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame

April 28th, 2018


Before a concert in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, Jimmy Buffett was inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi’s Alumni Hall of Fame.


photo Amanda Hargrove

Kiln native Brett Favre once again spent NFL Draft Day in South Mississippi. And while he wasn’t wearing “jorts,” the NFL Hall of Fame member was in Hattiesburg on Thursday to pay tribute to a friend — Pascagoula native Jimmy Buffet.

Favre inducted Buffett into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame before the singer’s sold-out show at the Saenger Theater.

“Brett, don’t put that on eBay,” Buffett said as Favre walked the award off the stage.

Kiln native Brett Favre once again spent NFL Draft Day in South Mississippi. And while he wasn’t wearing “jorts,” the NFL Hall of Fame member was in Hattiesburg on Thursday to pay tribute to a friend — Pascagoula native Jimmy Buffet.

Favre inducted Buffett into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame before the singer’s sold-out show at the Saenger Theater.

“Brett, don’t put that on eBay,” Buffett said as Favre walked the award off the stage.


Tagged in Awards, Personal/Family

More From Buffett’s Naval Academy Performance

March 30th, 2018


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.


Tagged in Awards, Charitable Causes

Buffett Performs at Naval Academy, Honored with Navy Award

March 28th, 2018


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.”


Tagged in Awards, Charitable Causes, Touring