Parrothead Dream Come True

[boogielicious]

Some of you may know that I’m a big Jimmy Buffett fan. My wife got me hooked in college 42 years ago. We’ve been to 55+ shows. Lost count really. 

Some of you may also know Jimmy has been ailing. He’s cancelled touring this year. We suspect it’s cancer because he’s been going to Boston for his medical and we can only think of Dana Farber as the reason.

Well to fill the gap, we have been trying to catch the other members of the Coral Reefer Band when they perform. We saw Mac McAnally in Boston in May with Eric Darken on drums. For those who don’t know, Mac is 11 time Country Music Musician of the year and is in the Song Writers Hall of Fame and Eric is on countless recordings out of Nashville and is also a Coral Reefer. The show was excellent.

Mac and Eric had another gig last Saturday. It was a benefit for a park in Portsmouth RI and was outside with maybe 250 people. The weather was sketchy but the crowd was filled with lovely, friendly people. We sat in our beach chairs four rows back from the stage.

Mac usually plays his own stuff and only does Buffett tunes he wrote or co-wrote. But about three songs in, he starts to play 5 O’Clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson, which was unusual. For those who know the song, Alan (Mac in this case) sings the bridge, 

I could pay off my tab, pour myself in a cab
And be back to work before two.

At a moment like this, I can’t help but wonder

What would Jimmy Buffett do?

Suddenly the crowd erupted! Walking up on the stage from the back was none other than Jimmy himself! The applause went on for at least a minute until he got his guitar on and said, “I’d sing some songs for you!”

It was magical.

He played six more songs and seemed to soak it all in. He looked very thin and needs to build up stamina, but otherwise sounded fine. For those who play, you know that performing take a lot of energy.

Mac took a short break to say goodbye to Jimmy. Apparently the plan came together that morning and only Mac, Eric, the cafe owner and a few staff and the Portsmouth PD knew the secret. Jimmy has been staying on Long Island to be close to Boston and flew in just before the show.

The rest of the show was great and Paula and I will see Mac whenever he comes our way. It was a show we will never forget. Mac also meets any fan after the show.

Paula, Mac and me.

[iacas]

That's cool. The venue was really small, then? Is that the closest you've ever been to Jimmy?

[GolfLug]

That is awesome!.. Here's a link for the moment you mentioned when Jimmy showed up and sang..

 

Jimmy Buffett Gives Surprise Performance After May Hospitalization

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Jimmy Buffett gave a surprise performance at a waterfront bar in Rhode Island, singing a duet with Coral Reefer Band guitarist Mac McAnally

 

[snapfade]

That's a really cool story. I don't know much about Mac, but the fact that he will mingle with the crowd is enough for me.  Definitely no rock star attitude.  Glad you got to meet him. If you are a Parrothead I would suggest you do not go on a Margaritaville cruise. We went on one in January, I don't think Jimmy would have approved. You got to love Jimmy Buffet, he turned basically one song into an empire. Along with I don't know how many books he's written, albums, always on the road. They are building a new Margaritaville Resort a few miles south of me in Melbourne. Not only is he a great entertainer, he's one hell of a businessman.  

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, GolfLug said:

That is awesome!.. Here's a link for the moment you mentioned when Jimmy showed up and sang..

 

Jimmy Buffett Gives Surprise Performance After May Hospitalization

---

Jimmy Buffett gave a surprise performance at a waterfront bar in Rhode Island, singing a duet with Coral Reefer Band guitarist Mac McAnally

 

 

3 hours ago, iacas said:

That's cool. The venue was really small, then? Is that the closest you've ever been to Jimmy?

Yes. My wife’s met him though.

2 hours ago, GolfLug said:

That is awesome!.. Here's a link for the moment you mentioned when Jimmy showed up and sang..

 

Jimmy Buffett Gives Surprise Performance After May Hospitalization

---

Jimmy Buffett gave a surprise performance at a waterfront bar in Rhode Island, singing a duet with Coral Reefer Band guitarist Mac McAnally

 

One of the news report has a photo with me in it.

2 hours ago, snapfade said:

That's a really cool story. I don't know much about Mac, but the fact that he will mingle with the crowd is enough for me.  Definitely no rock star attitude.  Glad you got to meet him. If you are a Parrothead I would suggest you do not go on a Margaritaville cruise. We went on one in January, I don't think Jimmy would have approved. You got to love Jimmy Buffet, he turned basically one song into an empire. Along with I don't know how many books he's written, albums, always on the road. They are building a new Margaritaville Resort a few miles south of me in Melbourne. Not only is he a great entertainer, he's one hell of a businessman.  

Cruises are not my style anyway nor are the resorts. We’re much more laid back.

[dennyjones]

Set on an idyllic bay on the warm, sparkling waters of Lake Huron, Caseville attracts visitors who enjoy exploring downtown Caseville and surrounding Caseville Township and playing on the wide sandy beaches.

The excitement in the town culminates every August during the “Cheeseburger in Caseville” festival, put on by the Caseville Chamber of Commerce. This annual event brings thousands of partygoers of all ages who celebrate almost two weeks of beach-side fun and activities built around singer Jimmy Buffet’s song,” Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, dennyjones said:

Set on an idyllic bay on the warm, sparkling waters of Lake Huron, Caseville attracts visitors who enjoy exploring downtown Caseville and surrounding Caseville Township and playing on the wide sandy beaches.

The excitement in the town culminates every August during the “Cheeseburger in Caseville” festival, put on by the Caseville Chamber of Commerce. This annual event brings thousands of partygoers of all ages who celebrate almost two weeks of beach-side fun and activities built around singer Jimmy Buffet’s song,” Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

👍