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There’s a video clip of Jimmy Buffett during the announcement of the new Margaritaville Casino that will be built in Biloxi

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/harrahs/22667/

(Go to Soundbites, it’s about 7 minutes into the clip)

The City of Biloxi has the entire video, you get all of Jimmy & Mac’s comments and BOTH songs in full (thanks to snowparrot for sending that along):

http://www.biloxi.ms.us/gallery/51507press.html

Thank you to Radio JimmyDreamz [url]http://www.radio.jimmydreamz.com[/url] for sharing the following excerpt transcript from “Songs from the Soul” featuring special guest Nadirah Shakoor on Time After Island Time, Part 2 of 2, which debuted 5/14/07. Produced by Paul Leslie & Jeff Pike.

Paul: A lot of our listeners, well actually, this is breaking news. No one else has, this is new.

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor: Drum roll.

Paul: Yeah, this is big news and you’re hearing it first here. Nadirah, there is a new project coming up and I wanted you to tell us all about it. I already know.

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor: (Laughs) Okay. Jimmy approached me and asked me if I would like to do an album covering his songs. And, what do you think I said? I’m really excited about it. We’re going to start recording I think in June. I don’t know what songs exactly I’m going to be doing. It’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s like a beautiful gift, and I want to do a really good job and give him a beautiful gift back. Mac McAnally’s going to be helping with the project. Michael Utley and some of the guys.

Paul: That’s very exciting.

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor: It is!

Paul: Is there any song in particular that you’re hoping will be on it?

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor: Well, I don’t know what songs are going to be on it. I know Jimmy has some songs in mind. He hasn’t shared those with me yet. I got a list yesterday from Savannah, because I asked her for her input. Mac is working on a list. We’ll probably do "Son of a Son…" I’d like to do that as a duet with Jimmy. And also in the show we do a rendition of "Pirate," that goes into Bob Marley’s "Redemption Song." Jimmy’s original idea for that was to do a verse of Pirate a verse of "Redemption Song," you know, like a half a verse of each. I thought it was a brilliant idea. The way the lyrics coincide. The two different stories, and I would love to put that on there.

Paul: That would be very cool.

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor: I think so too! So I don’t know what songs are going to go, but I know it’s a very special project to me. A big challenge and an honor. I’m going to sing my (silence) off.

The interview will be replayed again at [url]http://www.radio.jimmydreamz.com[/url] on:
Thursday 4 PM – May 17, 2007
Saturday 8 PM – May 19, 2007
**All broadcasts are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)**

The New York Post has an article on Monday’s benefit show: "Lincoln Jazzes Up Fund-Raiser

Although there didn’t seem to be any parrotheads in attendance, Jimmy Buffett brought a Gulf Coast/Caribbean vibe to the proceedings, aided immeasurably by his Trinidadian steel drummer Robert Greenidge. Buffet, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and jeans, explained why he wasn’t wearing a suit like everyone else: "I got one, but I thought I was coming as me."

There’s an article in the Sun Herald on the new casino that will be built in Biloxi: "Margaritaville Casino coming to Biloxi". There are also some pictures available.

It was announced today that the Margaritaville Casino Resort will be built in Biloxi. It is expected to cost over a billion dollars when completed. It will have a new hotel with 420 rooms in addition to the old Casino Magic hotel, over 100,000 square feet of casino space, a Margaritaville Restaurant, convention space, and a large amount of retail shopping space.

Ground will be broken this summer on a $700 million Margaritaville Casino Resort Biloxi to be built by Harrah’s Entertainment south of U.S. 90. Pascagoula born singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett told Gov. Haley Barbour, "It’s great to be home," as he played "Margaritaville" and "It’s My Job" for the crowd at the press conference.

More details are availalbe in a press release: "Harrah’s Entertainment and Jimmy Buffett Unveil Plans for New Margaritaville Casino and Resort in Biloxi"

"I have always considered myself a "Gulf Coast kid,"" said singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. "I was born there, grew up there and jumped on a stage for the first time there, before hitting the road. I have seen the world, traveled to distant shores, written a few songs and lived a few tall tales along the way, and now it is good to be coming back home."

"I have seen the best and the worst of times along Mississippi Sound, and as a survivor of storms myself, I feel an enormous sense of gratitude and good fortune to be part of the re-birth of the region by joining forces with Harrah’s to bring the Margaritaville Casino & Resort "Down around Biloxi,"" continued Buffett. "One of the essential elements of life along the Gulf Coast is the Creole belief that hard work and good fun go hand in hand. So, with that in mind I say, "Let’s get to work and let’s let the good times roll again,"" he continued.

Jimmy Buffett performed last night at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 6th Annual Spring Gala. The show also included peformances by the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lenny Kravitz and Derek Trucks.

A report from LIPH: It was just Jimmy, Mac McAnally, Ralph MacDonald and Robert Greenidge. Mac, Ralph and Robert were all dressed very conservatively in dark suits and ties. Jimmy wore a tropical shirt, jeans and loafers. He spoke for a couple of minutes before the first song, then kicked his loafers off and performed barefoot.

Jimmy played two songs:
1. Fool’s Paradise (a Mose Allison song)
2. Creola (America needs New Orleans, it has to be there. So this is for Ed.)

The whole show with 5 performers lasted around 90 minutes.

The Sun Herald has an article: "Mississippi natives have big plans for Coast tourism". The article talks about Jimmy Buffett and Charles Atwood and plans by Harrah’s Entertainment to expand onto the Biloxi beachfront.

Update: "Buffett to attend Harrah’s announcement Tuesday". Harrah’s Entertainment will announce plans for a casino on the beach in Biloxi tomorrow at 9 a.m. Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett will join Harrah’s CEO Gary Loveman and Vice Chairman Charles Atwood, a Pascagoula native, at the press conference at Grand Biloxi Casino.

Songs from the Soul featuring special guest Nadirah Shakoor on Time After Island Time. Part 2 of 2. Produced by Paul Leslie & Jeff Pike.

Ms. Nadirah Shakoor has used her voice to entertain and inspire music fans for her entire life. From being in the group Arrested Development, to writing and recording her own songs and albums, to being a vocalist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for 12 years now, whatever project she sings on or whomever she performs with—her voice stands out and is unforgettable. In her life she has recorded with a diverse list of the greats—from Ralph MacDonald, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Jimmy Buffett and many others.

On this episode of Time After Island Time we continue our exploration into the music of Nadirah Shakoor. We gain more insight into her personal philosophies. She discusses how her songwriting has changed over the years and how she has changed as an artist.

Then she drops some very big news…when Nadirah Shakoor contacted us about coming on Time After Island Time, she mentioned she had some big news to announce. The only people who know—are Nadirah Shakoor, Jimmy Buffett and those of YOU who tune in. I was excited to hear the news.

Don’t miss this very special episode of Time After Island Time. Listen in from anywhere in the world on Radio JimmyDreamz:

http://www.radio.jimmydreamz.com

Monday 1 PM – May 14, 2007
Wednesday 9 AM – May 16, 2007
Thursday 4 PM – May 17, 2007
Saturday 8 PM – May 19, 2007
**All broadcasts are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)**

An email was sent to registered MOTM atendees this week:

Greetings Everyone….. We regret to make the following announcement: We have been informed that there is a scheduling conflict between Mr. Buffett’s schedule and that of Meeting of the Minds 2007, "BaMOrefootin’ Key West" (November 1 – November 4, 2007). Unfortunately, this means that the Coral Reefer’s will be unable to attend this year’s MOTM. Please be assured that we know that there is always a possibility of this occurring every year and that there are no hard feelings toward Mr. Buffett or any of the Coral Reefer’s. It is an unfortunate circumstance. I have been in contact with the Coral Reefer’s and they are very disappointed that they will not be able to see all of their wonderful fans this year in Key West. The Coral Reefer’s will always be welcome at Meeting of the Minds, and we look forward to having them perform for us next year if the schedule permits. We still have a lot of your favorite entertainers to ensure that everyone has a great time, come on out and give them your support!

The performance schedule will be finalized and posted on the web site in the near future.

Thank you all for understanding.
Bill De Walt

Live Nation has confirmed the two show at MSG in New York City that were first mentioned here.

Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Madison Square Garden
On Sale Monday, May 14th at 9:00 am EDT

(thanks to Philly Drunk for passing that along to us)

An article in the St. Petersburg Times raises concerns over the Cheeseburger in Paradise chain: "Outback veggie steaks? Unlikely"

Fledgling concepts: It seemed like a great idea: Marry the don’t-worry-be-happy ethos of Outback with the drink-heavily-be-woozy style of singer Jimmy Buffett. In just a few years, the Cheeseburger in Paradise chain has swelled to 42 locations. Unfortunately, it remains a money-loser.

The likely outcome? Some say Cheeseburger will be shut down. Why? OSI’s new owners will be looking to fund proven restaurant concepts, fix the ailing Outback and pay off their crushing new debts.

The Houston Chronicle has an article: "Even bugs can be Parrotheads" (by Ken Hoffman)

It took me awhile, but I’ve found out why Jimmy Buffett was coughing and hocking up loogies during his concert at Minute Maid Park …

I’m told he finally coughed up the bug midway through the second half of the show, and the concert continued without incident.

Songs from the Soul featuring special guest Nadirah Shakoor on Time After Island Time. Part 1 of 2.

Nadirah Shakoor is a world-renowned vocalist. In addition to being a songwriter, she was the 2005 Artist for a Better World Humanitarian Award winner. A member of the ground-breaking group Arrested Development, she went on to become a solo recording artist and member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.

If you are not familiar with Nadirah Shakoor’s voice or songs…you are in for a real treat. We will be looking at her songwriting and also her vocal work with other artists (Club Trini, Jimmy Buffett, Ralph MacDonald, Arrested Development, etc).

Be sure to tune into Time After Island Time from anywhere in the world at Radio JimmyDreamz

http://www.radio.jimmydreamz.com

Monday 1 PM – May 7, 2007
Wednesday 9 AM – May 9, 2007
Thursday 4 PM – May 10, 2007
Saturday 8 PM – May 12, 2007
**All broadcasts are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)*