Tradewinds®, a brand inspired by a family tradition of real brewed sweet tea, will give fans a reason to sing this summer by announcing the launch of the Sip & Sing Your Way to Paradise™ tour and karaoke contest. Both initiatives will support the launch of the new Tradewinds® Jimmy Buffett’s Island Tea, a line of tropical-flavored ready-to-drink iced teas now available in select grocery, mass and convenience stores.

The Sip & Sing Tour will follow Jimmy Buffett’s “Workin’ n’ Playin’” concert series this summer and engage with fans through on-site sampling, a karaoke activation, and paradise-worthy giveaways.

The nationwide karaoke contest kicked off on Thursday, May 7th at 12:00 AM CT/1:00 AM ET. Fans are encouraged to submit their best rendition of Jimmy’s classic hit song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” at www.tradewindstea.com/jimmybuffett. At the end of the summer, the top 25 finalists will be awarded amazing prizes, including one grand prize trip to Margaritaville’s new flagship luxury resort in Hollywood, FL; two runner-up trips to Las Vegas, NV for a Jimmy Buffett VIP experience; a year supply of Tradewinds® Jimmy Buffett’s Island Tea; and paradise packs filled with goodies for kicking back!

Jimmy Buffett delivered the commencement speech at the University of Miami on Friday afternoon. Before his speech, he was given an honorary Doctor of Music degree.

Buffett told the crowd he was inspired to become a marine biologist after visiting the aquarium while on vacation in Florida with his family – and he wanted to study at UM.

“I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau with a Southern accent,” he said.

The closest he got was a nearby bar that’s now called Titanic Restaurant and Brewery, where Buffett said he landed his first paying gig.

He distilled his advice into a checklist for the “ever-elusive future.” The four bits of wisdom he shared: Everything in moderation. Make your avocation your vocation. Go see the world. And “be Santa Claus when you can.”

Wearing aviator sunglasses (he said he forgot his reading glasses,) Buffett encouraged students to get out and see the world. “Use your time well. Beware of falling into the sedentary trap.”

The Miami Herald has a photo gallery from the ceremony.

Watch Jimmy’s speech:

It’s been a long, anxious wait, but Jimmy Buffett will indeed make his annual stop in Las Vegas when he hits the MGM Grand this October.

Las Vegas, NV
MGM Grand Arena
Saturday, October 17th, 2015

Tickets go on sale Monday, May 18th via Ticketmaster | Ticketnetwork.

If you have an American Express card, you can purchase tickets via a presale that runs Tuesday, May 12 at 10am – Sunday, May 17 at 10pm.

See the full tour schedule.

Jimmy Buffett is set to give the commencement speech at the University of Miami’s undergraduate graduation ceremony this Friday:

With graduation around the corner, the UM has announced that singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett will be among this year’s commencement speakers at one of the ceremonies Friday at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables.

The Margaritaville singer will deliver the commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday when students from the schools of architecture, communication, education and human development, marine and atmospheric science, music, and nursing and health studies will cross the stage.

UM’s announcement teases that Buffett “may or may not sing his advice.”

Read the full article here.

Tickets for two more of Jimmy Buffett’s 2015 Workin’ n’ Playin’ Tour dates go on sale this morning at 10 am local time:

East Troy, WI
Alpine Valley Music Theater
Saturday, August 22nd, 2015
Buy tickets at TicketMaster | TicketNetwork.

Albuquerque, NM
Isleta Amphitheater
Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
Buy tickets at TicketMaster | TicketNetwork.

Tickets for Jimmy Buffett shows usually sell out fast. Read our Ticket Buying Tips to have the best chance at scoring seats.

See all scheduled tour dates for the Workin’ n’ Playin’ Tour.