From the Wall Street Journal: The Battle Over Jimmy Buffett’s Old Recording Studio in Key West
On a curvy dockside stretch in Key West, Fla., called Lazy Way Lane is a worn out white bunker building with no windows.
Beaten by sun and weather and plastered with stickers, the old shrimp icehouse is a piece of Florida and music history: Jimmy Buffett recorded dozens of albums there, hosting musicians including Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, the Smashing Pumpkins and the late Alan Jackson.
But since his death in 2023, the main thing it’s been creating is trouble. And not the kind Buffett memorialized in songs like “Margaritaville” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.”
Shrimpboat Sound Studio was emptied and its lease with the city canceled last year. The building is in disrepair and Key West is considering what to do with the property. The city has asked the public for proposals. www.buffettnews.com/2026/01/08/32885/... See MoreSee Less
From Holler Country: The Emotional Conversation that Inspired Zac Brown Band and Mac McAnally's Heartfelt Jimmy Buffett Tribute, ‘Pirates & Parrots’
As Parrotheads around the world celebrated what would've been Jimmy Buffett's 79th birthday on Christmas Day, we have no doubt that - alongside a tinsel-tinged array of festive classics - Zac Brown Band and Mac McAnally's moving 2023 tribute to Jimmy, ‘Pirates & Parrots’, will have also been ringing out in many households.
It's a bittersweet yet joyful reflection on grief, with Zac and Mac trading lines as they imagine the shimmering blue waters and pristine white sand Jimmy is enjoying in Heaven.
Speaking to Holler, Mac explains how that touching ode to their good friend came about, with the long-time member of Jimmy's Coral Reefer Band sharing that it originated from a heartfelt conversation he had with Zac shortly after Jimmy had died. www.buffettnews.com/2026/01/02/32882/... See MoreSee Less
Mac McAnally to perform on New Year’s Eve - one of the performers for Nexstar’s Coast to Coast Countdown to 2026 is a well-regarded country music artist and prolific songwriter, especially familiar to parrotheads, the dedicated fans of Jimmy Buffett. Mac McAnally, a 10-time Country Music Association Musician of the Year, is known for writing songs for Alabama, Jimmy Buffett, Shenandoah, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney. McAnally, who said he’s excited about the New Year’s Eve show airing across the country, remains a folksy, down-to-earth kind of guy. He describes himself as a country boy from Mississippi with a knack, as a teenager, for writing short stories, which he turned into songs that touched people. www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/18/32879/... See MoreSee Less
From Bill Klipp: Key West Wanderings — Mac McAnally at The Key West Theater. It was a night of stories and some familiar yet awesome music by Mac McAnally with Eric Darken on stage at the sold-out Key West Theater. Opening for Mac was local favorite singer / songwriter Nick Norman. A fun night for all. www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/16/32874/... See MoreSee Less
From Peter Mayer: We are very excited to announce the release of “Songs & Stories from the 12 Volt Man!” This CD contains 15 songs that are among my favorites from 35 years of co-writing and playing alongside Jimmy Buffett (here’s our shameless plug: you should really buy the CD to read the stories behind those songs, as well as the cool photos contained in the 12-page booklet)! My Coral Reefer bandmates and friends joined in the fun by lending their amazing talents to this project! The CD may also be purchased in our Little Flock online store, beginning December 8. www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/09/32869/... See MoreSee Less
Kenny Chesney Says Late Pal Jimmy Buffett's Ashes Were Smuggled into His Rock Hall Tribute (with Family Permission!). Jimmy Buffett may have been posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he still managed to get in on the fun. When his pals Kenny Chesney, James Taylor and Mac McAnally performed a tribute to Buffett at the induction ceremony in October 2024, he was there in spirit — and in McAnally’s pocket, as the musician smuggled the late star’s ashes on stage with him. www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/04/32866/... See MoreSee Less
From Kiplinger: 6 Jimmy Buffett Lyrics Every Retiree Should Live By. No, it's not just Parrotheads who can learn something from the legendary rocker. Jimmy Buffett, the legendary singer, songwriter, and successful entrepreneur, taught generations to slow down, let the good times roll and that happiness is what it’s all about. His words are particularly relevant to retirees who are navigating everything from how they spend their money to how they spend their time. Whether your retirement is just getting started or you’re in the thick of it, here are some words, or in this case, Jimmy Buffett lyrics, all retirees should live by. www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/03/32863/... See MoreSee Less
Country singer Jake Owen is holding tight to one “amazing” memory of Jimmy Buffett as we near what would have been the legendary performer’s 79th birthday. On the Wednesday, November 19 episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, Owen, 44, recalled the day Buffett flew himself into Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, Florida, to headline his annual charity show for the Jake Owen Foundation. “He literally flew his own plane in, landed at Vero Beach airport, got off in flip-fops and a shirt with Mac McAnally, gig bag on his shoulder, and played for the people of Vero Beach,” Owen shared. “And then he got back on his airplane and flew himself out of there. Talk about that story, right. www.buffettnews.com/2025/11/25/32860/... See MoreSee Less
From the Wall Street Journal: The Battle Over Jimmy Buffett’s Old Recording Studio in Key West
On a curvy dockside stretch in Key West, Fla., called Lazy Way Lane is a worn out white bunker building with no windows.
Beaten by sun and weather and plastered with stickers, the old shrimp icehouse is a piece of Florida and music history: Jimmy Buffett recorded dozens of albums there, hosting musicians including Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, the Smashing Pumpkins and the late Alan Jackson.
But since his death in 2023, the main thing it’s been creating is trouble. And not the kind Buffett memorialized in songs like “Margaritaville” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.”
Shrimpboat Sound Studio was emptied and its lease with the city canceled last year. The building is in disrepair and Key West is considering what to do with the property. The city has asked the public for proposals.
www.buffettnews.com/2026/01/08/32885/ ... See MoreSee Less
47 CommentsComment on Facebook
From Holler Country: The Emotional Conversation that Inspired Zac Brown Band and Mac McAnally's Heartfelt Jimmy Buffett Tribute, ‘Pirates & Parrots’
As Parrotheads around the world celebrated what would've been Jimmy Buffett's 79th birthday on Christmas Day, we have no doubt that - alongside a tinsel-tinged array of festive classics - Zac Brown Band and Mac McAnally's moving 2023 tribute to Jimmy, ‘Pirates & Parrots’, will have also been ringing out in many households.
It's a bittersweet yet joyful reflection on grief, with Zac and Mac trading lines as they imagine the shimmering blue waters and pristine white sand Jimmy is enjoying in Heaven.
Speaking to Holler, Mac explains how that touching ode to their good friend came about, with the long-time member of Jimmy's Coral Reefer Band sharing that it originated from a heartfelt conversation he had with Zac shortly after Jimmy had died.
www.buffettnews.com/2026/01/02/32882/ ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Mac McAnally to perform on New Year’s Eve - one of the performers for Nexstar’s Coast to Coast Countdown to 2026 is a well-regarded country music artist and prolific songwriter, especially familiar to parrotheads, the dedicated fans of Jimmy Buffett. Mac McAnally, a 10-time Country Music Association Musician of the Year, is known for writing songs for Alabama, Jimmy Buffett, Shenandoah, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney. McAnally, who said he’s excited about the New Year’s Eve show airing across the country, remains a folksy, down-to-earth kind of guy. He describes himself as a country boy from Mississippi with a knack, as a teenager, for writing short stories, which he turned into songs that touched people.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/18/32879/ ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
From Bill Klipp: Key West Wanderings — Mac McAnally at The Key West Theater. It was a night of stories and some familiar yet awesome music by Mac McAnally with Eric Darken on stage at the sold-out Key West Theater. Opening for Mac was local favorite singer / songwriter Nick Norman. A fun night for all.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/16/32874/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
From Peter Mayer: We are very excited to announce the release of “Songs & Stories from the 12 Volt Man!” This CD contains 15 songs that are among my favorites from 35 years of co-writing and playing alongside Jimmy Buffett (here’s our shameless plug: you should really buy the CD to read the stories behind those songs, as well as the cool photos contained in the 12-page booklet)! My Coral Reefer bandmates and friends joined in the fun by lending their amazing talents to this project! The CD may also be purchased in our Little Flock online store, beginning December 8.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/09/32869/ ... See MoreSee Less
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Kenny Chesney Says Late Pal Jimmy Buffett's Ashes Were Smuggled into His Rock Hall Tribute (with Family Permission!). Jimmy Buffett may have been posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he still managed to get in on the fun. When his pals Kenny Chesney, James Taylor and Mac McAnally performed a tribute to Buffett at the induction ceremony in October 2024, he was there in spirit — and in McAnally’s pocket, as the musician smuggled the late star’s ashes on stage with him.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/04/32866/ ... See MoreSee Less
53 CommentsComment on Facebook
From Kiplinger: 6 Jimmy Buffett Lyrics Every Retiree Should Live By. No, it's not just Parrotheads who can learn something from the legendary rocker. Jimmy Buffett, the legendary singer, songwriter, and successful entrepreneur, taught generations to slow down, let the good times roll and that happiness is what it’s all about. His words are particularly relevant to retirees who are navigating everything from how they spend their money to how they spend their time. Whether your retirement is just getting started or you’re in the thick of it, here are some words, or in this case, Jimmy Buffett lyrics, all retirees should live by.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/12/03/32863/ ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Country singer Jake Owen is holding tight to one “amazing” memory of Jimmy Buffett as we near what would have been the legendary performer’s 79th birthday. On the Wednesday, November 19 episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, Owen, 44, recalled the day Buffett flew himself into Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, Florida, to headline his annual charity show for the Jake Owen Foundation. “He literally flew his own plane in, landed at Vero Beach airport, got off in flip-fops and a shirt with Mac McAnally, gig bag on his shoulder, and played for the people of Vero Beach,” Owen shared. “And then he got back on his airplane and flew himself out of there. Talk about that story, right.
www.buffettnews.com/2025/11/25/32860/ ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook