OK Parrotheads! We can talk about anything in the general discussion can't we? Well, I saw MY American Idol, Jimmy Buffett on the Today Show a little while ago and got all inspired, and when Cap'n Deb the Parrothead gets inspired, she likes to spread it around.
I have embraced the Jimmy Buffett philosophy for the past 30 years or so, ever since I met him in Aspen in 1975 just after A1A came out. He was hanging out up there and used to sit in regularly with this band I used to hang out with. I got tired of the snow and moved back to the Caribbean to become a full-time sailor and musician, which I did for the next 20 years or so. I was skippering a 52 foot ketch which was docked in St. Thomas and this bee-oo-tee-ful Cheoy Lee motored into the slip next to mine. Well, whaddaya know--it was Jimmy Buffett's boat Euphoria II. I asked him what happened to my favorit Aspen band and he told me they had broken up. I had a part-time gig with a pick-up band at the time (Means I played with them while not on charter) and he said he was doing an impromptu gig there. I happened to not have a charter that night and what a concert it was!
I ran into him again several more times over the years of being a Caribbean Boat Bum, mostly on St. Barts.
I love his sense of humor and philosophy which is all about enjoying life and not taking yourself so seriously. He's a committed environmental activist and his Parrothead Clubs contribute to many local charities and environmental groups. Their motto is "Party with a Purpose". Radio Margaritaville is awesome and I listen to it over my 'puter whil I work and post--which is probably why I'm so chipper a lot of the time--I'm doin' a little Island Dancin', Mon!
As a musician, well, he's no virtuoso, but as a songwriter and novelist and children's book witer, he's unbelievable. He's the only author in NY Times history to ever have a book on both the non-fiction bestseller list (
A Pirate Looks at Fifty) and the fiction bestseller list (I believe it was either
Tales from Margaritaville or
Where's Joe Merchant) at the same time.
Anyway, I think Jimmy would love a lot of the insanity that goes on with us when we are goofing around, and God knows, we all have a common purpose to get better ourselves and to help other folks dealing with Acoustic Neuroma!
Since there's no Parrothead chapter in Boone YET, I thought we could start a little virtual chapter here! I know Dale will be in as he already told me he loves Buffett. His music helped Phyl get through her last CK treatment with flying colors! And one of our members is already a Parrot--just look at Gennysmom's pic!
So...............................................
Phinns up everyone!
Capt Deb