Actually I’m referring to my “bucket” list and yes, seeing Jimmy Buffett in concert was one of the things on my list. When I first wrote it down, I imagined seeing him perform in a tropical place somewhere with the sun shining down, palm trees swaying in the breeze and tiki bars dispensing frozen margaritas. Now for the reality check! The only thing frozen at the concert Saturday night was a very devoted crowd of Parrotheads who refused to let the chilly winds and 40 degree temps dampen their island spirits. As far as the eye could see, there were people dressed in Parrothead garb. There were pirate and shark costumes, hats adorned with pink flamingos, margarita glasses, parrots, cheeseburgers and all kinds of other crazy. Not to be left out, I found an old Hawaiian shirt in the attic along with coconut bra and puka shell necklace for the occasion. Buffet has a pretty broad fan base and there were lots of families having a blast there too.
His feel good music and concerts have the ability to transport tens of thousands of people to a happier place. Tonight my happy place was sitting in a lawn chair wrapped up in a cozy blanket surrounded by great friends who didn’t seem to mind the cold at all.
Tailgating is a big part of the Jimmy Buffett concert experience and for a while his tour did not include our city because tailgating was prohibited at this particular venue. Eventually the ban was lifted and now his fans are free to party Buffet style before the show.
Jimmy’s personality is very warm, easy going and engaging. He likes to arrive a day or two before his concert so that he can pop in, surprise and spend time with the locals. One of the places that he visited while in Virginia Beach is a small restaurant located in the southern end of the city called Flip Flops. He gave a shout out to them and their great fish tacos during the concert. He also spoke nostalgically of past visits to the Duck In, a locals haunt formerly located on the Chesapeake Bay off of Shore Drive.
Probably the one thing that I admire the most about Jimmy Buffett is the fact that he has built a billion dollar empire promoting and merchandising escapism. Jimmy Buffett is a sailor, an author, an actor, a singer, a philosopher, a philanthropist, an entrepreneur and a smart businessman. In addition to concerts, best selling books, themed restaurants and retail sales, I think I’ve found one more thing to add to my “Buffett” list..
At the beginning of the concert, Buffett said that people always ask him when is he going to retire. He chuckles and responds “retire from what?” Buffett will turn 70 years old on Christmas Day.
Are you a Parrothead or a huge fan? If so, please feel free to share your concert memories and experiences with us.
Below is a homemade video featuring his humble beginnings and one of my favorite Jimmy Buffet songs. I love the way the hood on his pickup truck flys up when he hits a bump!
Oh my goodness, all of these years being a JB fan and I have never seen that video!
I think I read somewhere where he did marry the girl (in the video), they got divorced and then they got remarried a 2nd time…not sure if that is true, but that stuck in my mind – it must be true love, I thought! Thanks for sharing, Sandy!
Thanks Trish! I wish I had your “Parrothead Hats” domain:-( I’d be blogging about how rich I am right now!
ha ha…me too…guess it was not in the stars! 🙂