Jimmy Buffett.

I love the man, I love the music, I love the lifestyle.

I went to one of his concerts with one of my very best friends just a few weeks after Gregory died. I call that day the Great Duct Tape Road trip.

My very first blog ever? Back in the 90′s? It was called a Parrothead in Poplarville.

There are pictures of my old pal James Hal and Jimmy that I took on there, because Jimmy lived with his family when he went to college in my old hometown. Somewhere there are pictures of me, JB and JH’s practice wife, the evil Tammy.

And the ticket stub ?  I thought the price in 1999 was high. I beg for those prices now.

The damn page is still out there somewhere, and I can’t delete it and the mentions of my practice husband, because I have long since forgotten the password. Thanks for embarrassing me, Angelfire.

Anyway.

I not only embrace the Margaritaville lifestyle, I slobber all over it. I’m back in college to be a marine biologist, for god’s sake.

I may have ranted about high ticket prices last year. And then after my rant, I bought those expensive ass tickets anyway.

Then the tornadoes came. So I sold my expensive ass Jimmy Buffett tickets and used the money for the #GatoradeBrigade and for local animal shelters affected by the storms. And I listened to a concert I should have been at on radio Margaritaville. And that was ok. It was for a damn good reason.

A few days ago I may have simultaneously almost peed myself, went into convulsions and screamed louder than a pageant mom on TLC when I saw this ……

I’d like to thank my beautiful friend Becky for alerting me to this wonder of the parrothead universe and also B, make sure I’ve peed before big news next time, k ?

I will be at that damn concert if I have to sell a kidney.

Anyone have an ice machine?

I’m supposed to write a letter to said artist, but I think that’s kinda lame so I’ll just tell you who it is.

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band.

Yea, go ahead and laugh. Then listen to Kesha or your BackStreet Boys or the latest lip syncing sensation and then come back and grovel. Heh.

He’s more than the guy that sings Margaritaville. He’s a homeboy, a fellow gulf coastian and an all around amazing guy. His band is composed of some of the greatest musicians you’ve never heard of, including Mac Macanally, an extraordinary songwriter and entertainer in his own right. He’s also an extremely generous person and a hell of a fun guy. I’ve met him several times and he is always funny and gracious. he cares about the environment and is generous to so many Gulf Coast charities and causes near and dear to me as a southern girl. I’ve seen him perform a total of 19 times, not only as JB but in his “alias” band, Freddie And The Fish Sticks. There’s nothing more magical than sitting at a beach side bar and hearing the familiar voice of your favorite entertainer as he makes a surprise appearance, just because he wants to. His music has accompanied me on too many to count road trips with my best friends, boat rides, tailgating, so many facets of my life are tied to the music of Jimmy. His concerts are described as a “traveling carnival” and that is a tame description. It’s one of the best parties ever. The first concert G and I ever went as a couple was to see Jimmy in Atlanta the first spring we were together. He liked him before but after that? He was hooked. Exactly two weeks after Gregory’s death I went back to that same venue in April of 2009 to see Jimmy again, this time with one of my best friends, Ross. The lady sitting next to us was with her new boyfriend, and I learned that she was also a widow. She told me that life goes on and that the little things are what get you through, and you take your happy where you can find it. She had some good advice, and even in those early days of my grief, when I was raw and not so sure of myself, Jimmy and others who love him helped me. I’ve laughed at his music and cried along with it. I’ve spent enough money to buy Miami at his Margaritaville restaurants and the new resort in Pensacola Beach. In short, I’m a Parrothead. Always have been. In the early days of the internet, I even had a website (hosted on Angelfire – GASP!) dedicated to my love of all things Buffett. He is truly one of my favorite people.

This video was filmed at what was the Fire Dog Saloon in Bay St Louis, Mississippi that was gutted by Hurricane Katrina. It used to be one of my hangouts and the video sums up perfectly what life along the juke joints of Hwy 90 was like when I was younger. (who am I kidding, even now!)

And just in case you think he’s a one hit wonder, I’ve listed some of my favorite songs below. Sure, I love all of the ones everyone knows like Cheeseburger in Paradise, Pirate Looks At 40 and other concert staples, but these are the ones closest to my Caribbean soul. Check ‘em out if you need a little bit of paradise.

* All The Ways I Want You * Savannah Fare You Well * Barefoot Children * Biloxi * If The Phone Doesn’t Ring, It’s Me * Bama Breeze * Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On * Floridays * Tin Cup Chalice * Knees Of My Heart * Love and Luck * The Captain And The Kid * When The Coast Is Clear * Treat Her Like A Lady * Lovely Cruise