LiveDaily has an article on Buffett’s latest tour announcements:

With summer right around the corner, Parrotheads are no doubt getting antsy for their live Jimmy Buffett shows.

Indeed, Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band have announced their first concerts of “The Year of Still Here” tour and will even treat fans to a couple of springtime shows. So far, they’ve got an April date in the Dallas area, a May gig at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and June/July shows in Philadelphia and East Troy, WI, as well as a two-night stand at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL.

Read the entire article here.

Pulaski County, a horse co-owned by Jimmy Buffett, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis, quarterback Drew Brees, vice president of communications Greg Bensel, along with several others under the banner Last Mango Racing Stable, placed first in the 8th race at the New Orleans Fair Grounds on Thursday.

In a spirited winner’s circle, Greg Bensel had winning jockey Robby Albarado don a Last Mango football helmet.

It was the partnership’s first-ever win; they got into the sport last fall by claiming Pulaski County for $50,000 at Keeneland.

Pulaski County, who took command in mid-stretch and drew clear by a length at the wire, paid $7.80, $4 and $3.20 as the second choice in the wagering, and accomplished the six furlongs in 1:12.54.

“I was the next one to get gelded if this horse didn’t win,” Bensel joked.

Payton called him a few minutes after the race. Bensel said Payton and Buffett bet on Pulaski County, who paid $7.80 to win. “Jimmy Buffett was watching from St. Bart on his boat, Last Mango III,” Bensel said.

Read more about Last Mango Racing Stable here.

Jimmy Buffett, along with Outrigger Enterprises Group, have unveiled plans for a new restaurant in Waikiki, Hawaii. Construction will begin soon on “Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber,” with completion scheduled for the end of this year.

OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber’s $21 million revitalization momentum continues with Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber and is slated to open in late 2008. Construction of the $15 million project will start soon. The venue will occupy more than 22,000 square feet with customer seating of 400.

“Our partnership with Jimmy Buffett has made it possible to bring this unique new concept to Waikiki,” said Dean Nakasone, general manager of OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber. “Guests staying at the newly transformed OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber will get to enjoy Jimmy’s island-style magic, making their stayhere even more special.”

Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber will occupy a prominent location on Kalakaua Avenue above Macy’s in the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber hotel’s lobby level. The restaurant is a festive celebration of Jimmy’s adventurous lifestyle and the natural wonders of Hawaii. Guests will be able to choose to dine or enjoy their favorite beverage in open air lanais or within one of theextraordinary island atmospheres created throughout the facility.

“From the first time I rode a wave at Canoes on Waikiki I began to figure out how I could get back to Hawaii on a more regular basis to that One Particular Harbour,” said Jimmy Buffett. “I’m not the first nor will I be the last traveler to do so, but now with the partnership of the great folks at Outrigger Hotels, I have realized my dream and we will soon be open in Waikiki. I have had a long love affair with Hawaii and her people. Mark Twain called these ‘the loveliest fleet of islands anchored in any ocean’ and I couldn’t agree more. I have written many stories and songs inspired by my time in Hawaii and can’t wait to see what the future holds in the land that is so far but yet so near. Mahalo.”

Learn more about Buffett’s business empire here.

In an interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters, legendary actor Harrison Ford reveals that a lunchtime birthday celebration with Jimmy Buffett and the late Ed Bradley inspired him to get his ear pierced:

Ford told ABC’s Barbara Walters that he decided to have his ear pierced “after a somewhat indulgent lunchtime in celebration of either Jimmy Buffet or Ed Bradley’s birthday. …We shared a bottle of wine and I got enthusiastic about Jimmy and Ed’s earrings and went out and got one right after lunch.”

Ford is interviewed as part of “The Barbara Walters Oscar Special,” which airs at 7 p.m. EST Sunday just before the Academy Awards ceremony from Los Angeles.

Ford’s next film, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” is due out May 22, while the drama “Crossing Over” is slated for a June release.

Read the entire article here.

Crain’s Detroit Press has an article on Ferndale-based Garden Fresh Gourmet, Inc., who just inked a deal with Margaritaville Foods to produce Buffett’s newest creation: Margaritaville Salsa.

On Dec. 21, Garden Fresh signed a manufacturing and production deal to produce a full line of salsa, hummus, tortillas and dips for singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Foods.

“It’s really a great move for us. We have a shot at doubling the size of our company in 18 months,” said Garden Fresh Vice Chairman Dave Zilko.

Margaritaville Foods, inspired by songs written by Buffett, already has several other lines of food and drinks that include frozen seafood, beer, tequila and margarita mix.

After considering other manufacturers, Margaritaville President Tom Keane said they chose Garden Fresh for two reasons.

“First of all, they make great products. But that was sort of a minimal threshold for us,” Keane said. “What really separated them from other people was just the passion they have for the business.”

Already, Garden Fresh is distributing Margaritaville salsa nationwide to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp.’s Los Angeles division. It’s planning to begin distribution in April to Kroger Co. and is close to an agreement with Meijer Inc.

Margaritaville Foods was established about four years ago as the consumer and packaged goods division of Orlando, Fla.-based Margaritaville Enterprises L.L.C.

Zilko said sales of Margaritaville’s frozen seafood line went from zero to $50 million in about three years and believes Garden Fresh products have the potential for similar growth.

Read the entire article here, or learn more about Buffett’s business empire here.