New York Magazine has an article that goes into detail on how Jimmy Buffett discovered Ilo Ferreira.

On November 23, Freston and his friend Jimmy Buffett, 62, were there to support Ilo at his sold-out show at Joe’s Pub and his appearance later that night on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, which they’d helped engineer.

“Hopefully, lightning strikes and he gets a musical career,” says Freston. “We’re just trying to give him some exposure.”

How’d they get to know, and fund, him? “It was an amazing set of circumstances,” Buffett says backstage at Joe’s. “Freston gets fired and he doesn’t have his plane and he’s got me all fired up to go to the Festival in the Desert,” in Africa. So they have to take Buffett’s jet. The route to Mali “is from San Juan to Cape Verde,” where they stopped to refuel. Buffett thought, why not check out the local music scene while they were stopping through. “I went, ‘Let’s see if Cesaria Evora is playing; I’ve always been a fan.’”

Also with them was MTV Networks editorial director Bill Flanagan, 54. That night, the Cape Verde culture ministry hosted for Buffett and his traveling companions to showcase performances by the best local musicians, including Ilo. After seeing him play, they all “just looked at each other and said, ‘Man.’ I mean, you see a lot of people, but very few people you think have it,” says Buffett.

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(photo C. Taylor Crothers/FilmMagic)

The show was back on the road tonight as Jimmy and the band continued the Summerzcool Tour with a show in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The set list was the same as recent shows except for a few songs. “Boat Drinks” made it’s first appearance since October 25, 2008 in Las Vegas by replacing “Mañana” 5 songs in. “Nautical Wheelers” also closed the show.

View the entire set list here.

Did you attend the show? Share your thoughts on our Discussion Board or post your photos in our Photo Gallery.

The 2009 Summerzcool Tour wraps up Tuesday with a show in New York, NY. There’s still plenty of time to get your tickets now!

The show was back on the road tonight as Jimmy and the band began the Winter Session of the Summerzcool Tour with a show in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The set list was the same as the summer shows. Jake Shimabukuro and Ilo Ferreira guested once again throughout the show, Jake joining Robert Greenidge for a beautiful version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

View the entire set list here.

Did you attend the show? Share your thoughts on our Discussion Board or post your photos in our Photo Gallery.

Also check out a review of the concert from the Richmond Times Dispatch: “Jimmy Buffett predictable, familiar and fun”

The 2009 Summerzcool Tour continues Thursday with a show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There’s still plenty of time to get your tickets now!

Coral Reefer Band member and singer/songwriter Mac McAnally has won CMA Musician of the Year for the second straight year.

“I’m tickled to be nominated in the only category you don’t have to go on a diet to be a part of,” said McAnally.

He was also up for Musical Event of the Year for “Down The Road” with Kenny Chesney but the award went to Brad Paisley and Keith Urban for “Start A Band.”

Musician of the Year and Musical Event of the Year were announced before Wednesday night’s broadcast of the 43rd Annual CMA Awards on ABC.

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers played a show Saturday on St. Barts for the 60th anniversary of Le Select. Below is a video of Buffett singing “Cheeseburger in Paradise” at the show, as well as a 5 minute video filmed by bass guitarist Jim Mayer of him and Peter Mayer, Robert Greenidge and Michael Utley driving around on the island.

Buffett also played at Baz Bar on Thursday night.

View more photos from the show here.