The 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition hits stores today. Jimmy recorded a video for a new song entitled “Getting The Picture,” which will be included with the Swimsuit Edition. You can also purchase the video from iTunes.

As part of the launch, SI.com has a Musicians and Models section featuring Jimmy. There are photos, an excerpt of the video, and a Q&A with Buffett. Check it out here.

Also, a Martin Shellback signature guitar autographed by Jimmy Buffett and all 21 of the 2007 Swimsuit models is up for auction on eBay now. It’s the guitar featured in Buffett’s “Getting The Picture” video.

The proceeds from the auction, which runs through February 23rd, will benefit the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity’s Musicians’ Village.

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks wants to have the same sort of following that Jimmy Buffett has. He explains in an MTV News article:

Hicks kicked off a press tour last week and plans to launch a full trek at the end of February that will “hopefully last 10 years,” he said.

And he’s not entirely joking. After all, another one of his idols is road warrior Jimmy Buffett. “As a performer for so long you have this mentality of [wanting] everybody who comes to your show to be Parrotheads,” Hicks explained, using the nickname given to Buffett’s loyal followers. “The Parrothead mentality is like a gathering, a social event — it’s not only about the music, but it’s about the people you meet all over the country. That’s what I strive for as a performer: to have a traveling circus of fans.”

Read the entire article here.