In the forward of the upcoming book ‘Exit/In: 50 Years’, Jimmy Buffett writes about how he came to be the first act to perform at the Exit/In in Nashville:

From Billboard:

Somehow, back in 1971, I wound up playing the opening of the Exit/In. That’s why, when the shocking fact that it was fifty years ago started showing up online from people who share my love of the place, it took me back to the twenty-four-year-old me living in Nashville and the thrill of getting that job. And so, I want to take you on a quick trip down the song line that brought me to the entrance of the Exit/In that day.

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Quickly paying my tab, I walked over to take a look. The front door was open and workers were going in and out. One of them told me they were renovating the building to be some kind of a bar. I asked him what kind of bar. Squinting, he said, “A quiet joint with music, doesn’t sound like much fun to me.” “You mean a listening room?” I asked. “Yeah, that’s it,” he said. Then he told me the owners were inside, and I should talk to them about it. As he walked away and got in his truck, I took a peek inside the door. More workers were busy hammering away on a small stage in the back, and others were unloading tables and chairs.

I ran to get my guitar and hurriedly re-appeared in the doorway. The two guys sitting at a table, looking more like hippies than construction workers, had to be the owners. I walked right up to them and introduced myself to Brugh Reynolds and Owsley Manier and asked if they were the owners, to which they said yes. I asked if they were auditioning performers yet. “Not really,” they said. Determined and hopeful, I continued, “It won’t take long.” “Sure, go ahead,” Owsley replied. Brugh asked the workers to turn off the saws and drills, and I sat in a chair on the unfinished stage and played four or five songs that I knew had worked in clubs elsewhere. When I finished, the carpenters applauded, and Owsley and Brugh hired me on the spot.

When the venue opened, my world got a big bump from that first show, a bump which seems to have lasted for fifty years — or at least memories of it. The Exit/In was also the spark that ignited the spread of listening rooms in Nashville. All you have to do is look at the sign out front with the names of stars and wannabes who became stars to know what this place means to the musical history of Nashville. In these pandemic days, when so many performers and technicians are struggling to stay afloat until we can all work again, I am going to do whatever I can to help keep the door of the Exit/In open, and I hope this story will help the cause.

Continue reading at Billboard.com

Jimmy Buffett recently filmed an appearance on the CBS drama ‘Blue Bloods.’

From MonstersandCritics.com:

A music legend is coming to Blue Bloods.

While it’s been known for a while that Lyle Lovett will be reprising his role as Texas Ranger Waylon Gates, it’s now confirmed that the series will feature an appearance by famed musician/author/actor Jimmy Buffett.

What role he’ll play on the show is unknown, but it looks like he’ll be having a good time.

The singer has done some acting, mostly in cameo roles like Jurassic World. His biggest part was Frank Bama, a former military veteran turned helicopter pilot in several episodes of Hawaii Five-0.

As the episode is currently filming, it likely won’t air until early next year. It’s uncertain what kind of role Buffett will have.

Wahlberg posted a photo of himself and Buffett filming together at Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York.

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The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center in Midland, Texas is celebrating its 10th anniversary next year and Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will perform at the west Texas venue on May 5th, according to the Odessa American:

The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a performance by the legendary Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band on May 5.

The time for the show is yet to be determined but tickets will go on sale soon online.

The Buffett show is part of a yearlong celebration of 10 years of the Wagner Noel. Buffett is best known for his sold-out shows and hit “Margaritaville.”

Jimmy Buffett’s tour stop at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on December 1st, 2021 has been canceled. No reason was given for the cancelation.

Information from Ticketmaster:

Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event.

No action is required to obtain a refund. It will be processed to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, once funds are received from the Event Organizer, which is usually completed within 30 days.

If the Event Organizer is offering a credit option, it will be visible within the Event Details of your order, which can be found in your Ticketmaster account.

Please Note: If the tickets were transferred to you, the refund will go to the fan who originally purchased the tickets from Ticketmaster.

After the tremendous success of the first two Camp Margaritaville RV Resorts in Lake Lanier, Georgia and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the brand has plans to expand nationally with 30 to 50 new locations in the next five years.

Business Insider has more:

Margaritaville’s brand might not immediately evoke RVing. But so far, Camp Margaritaville has seen massive success at its first two locations in Lake Lanier, Georgia and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it said.

The first Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge opened in Lake Lanier — about an hour north of Atlanta — following a “happy accident,” Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider.

When Margaritaville had plans to sublease part of Lake Lanier, there was already a defunct RV park sitting unused on the land.

Instead of scrapping the camp, Margaritaville decided to revive and rebrand the resort as “Camp Margaritaville.”

The revamped camp reopened in spring 2019. In retrospect, this timing was fortuitous: Shortly after, the US underwent a pandemic-induced camping and RV boom.

This road travel trend then helped boost Camp Margaritaville’s business, which has since seen “off the charts” reception and reviews, according to Wiseman.

Read the full article here.