So who is the real Jimmy Buffett

Earl · Post by **Earl** » February 12, 2004 11:24 pm

Just something I'm thinking about....

He seems like a really cool/good/fun guy, but you dont really know anybody untill you spend some time with them, and when you meet somebody breefly, your kind of meeting their "representative" not necesarily their true self.

My question is, has anyone here ever met jimmy? Has anyone here ever spent a decent amount of time talking to him? Does anyone here actually know him/has/does know/hang out with him? This post is not opinionated, as I have no real opinion of him, and the little bit that I have is totally positive. I am just curious what other's opinions are...we obviously all feel pretty positive or else we wouldnt be here/spend money on concerts/music/merch.

Tell me your opinions...again, I dont want to start flame wars, this is purely curiousity.

NanaWind · Post by **NanaWind** » February 13, 2004 12:37 am

Good question, Earl. I've thought about this from time to time as well. If I ever have the privilege of really meeting Jimmy, I can assume it will only be in passing and I won't have the opportunity to "get to know him." I'd be fascinated to hear about "what he's really like."

Pitot Tube · Post by **Pitot Tube** » February 13, 2004 1:22 am

interesting, but somehow (I don't mean this in a bad way) his image, the lifestyle he sings and writes about could never match the REAL person. I in all likelyhood will never get the chance to meet him, but I am more than greatful for all the good times, inspiration and fun he has provided me!!!

12 lb. nestle crunch · February 13, 2004 12:10 pm

i know a guy who is a manager at the N.O. margaritaville, and who has come to know buffett quite well. he says that jimmy is not the talkative guy we see on stage, kicking beach balls. he is very quiet and reserved.

Mplsfins · Post by **Mplsfins** » February 13, 2004 1:01 pm

I met Jimmy and got to spend about 1/2 hour with him on Paradise Island in the Bahama's in 99 when he played the Atlantis.
He was on his boat with Savannah in the Harbour. I was walking buy and realized it was him. I said hello and he was asking if I saw the show and what I was doing in the Bahama's. His attitude and persona was kind of like having an Uncle Bill. Fun to be around and BS with. Doesn't take things to seriously, and just wants to relax. He seemed to be a perfectionist though while watching him around his boat making sure everything is just perfect though. He is like that in concert though and does get p*** when things are not working right.

Just my 2 cents.

Jason

parrotheadmike · Post by **parrotheadmike** » February 13, 2004 1:44 pm

I've thought about this occasionally, okay fine, a lot! It is unlikely I will ever get the chance to sit down and talk with him long enough to gather an opinion, but I did meet him last summer for a brief moment. He walked into Cheeseburger in Paradise in Indy at the door I happened to be standing at, so lucky him, I was the first thing he saw! He came up and shook my hand and said a few words then moved onto the mob scene. It was enough for me though!
I think you can gather a lot about Jimmy's personality by looking at the things you see him do for other people(charities, his family, etc..) We all know he isnt the beach bum that he sings about, to me I think he is just like a normal guy! I think he has his good days, bad days and going half mad days!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 13, 2004 1:54 pm

All things considered, I'm glad Jimmy Buffett never became a Serious Writer.

SmartWomaninShortSkirt · February 13, 2004 1:57 pm

Mplsfins wrote:He seemed to be a perfectionist though while watching him around his boat making sure everything is just perfect though. He is like that in concert though and does get p*** when things are not working right.

Just my 2 cents.

Jason

You're so lucky to have met him.

Interesting that you call him a perfectionist. I've often thought he is definitely a very hard worker, or he wouldn't be where he is today. He puts a lot of thought into the details, like having Wilson on his Tiki Time set, picking the song list, even the banter in the shows. What I think is amazing is how he can work so hard yet make it seem so laid back and effortless. And I think what's great is that when things do go wrong, he knows when something is worth getting upset over and he knows when to let things go. It's called perspective. I wish my bosses had a little of it!

This is just my impression of Jimmy - I've never met him.

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » February 13, 2004 3:54 pm

I have a friend that met him quite a few years ago (the 70s) and although I'm not sure of the exact nature of their encounter, he said Buffett came off as a real a**hole.

Although not a personal encounter, another friend, attending one his concerts in the 80s said Buffett kept admonishing the crowd for singing along with his songs, saying he couldn't hear himself from the stage. My, how things have changed.

I also am not sure of the nature of this incident but John Boy and Billy from the syndicated John Boy and Billy's Big Show radio program apparently were witness to less than polite behavior during one of Buffett's appearances in Charlotte a few years back. They turned this into some comedy bit on their program but since I haven't listened to them in years, I'm no longer sure what it was about but I do recall Buffett either explaining or apologizing for the incident.

Despite what I listed above, my impression has always been that he's quite the Southern gentleman (this coming from just observing his public behavior, as I've never met him either). The incidents I cited were quite a few years ago and who knows, maybe my friend just caught him during a bad moment. I know I would love the opportunity someday just to shake his hand and thank him for all the years of great music he has brought me and my family. If that never happens, it'll be ok but it sure would be nice.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » February 13, 2004 4:00 pm

I wish I knew... *sigh*

gulfdreamer · Post by **gulfdreamer** » February 13, 2004 4:13 pm

my uncle who new him in high school said he was kind of a nerd

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 13, 2004 4:25 pm

My brother-in-law's mother's friend is a real renaissance man. He used to go to Havana and drink mojitos for the weekend, back when you could, and played a few seasons of pro baseball many years ago. He also used to live in KW and hang around the bars listening to Jimmy for free waaaay back when. He used to sit around and talk to JB, and said JB struck him as a hardworking guy and a great storyteller who was a lot of fun to be around.

parrotheadmike · Post by **parrotheadmike** » February 13, 2004 4:29 pm

Jahfin wrote:I have a friend that met him quite a few years ago (the 70s) and although I'm not sure of the exact nature of their encounter, he said Buffett came off as a real a**hole.

Although not a personal encounter, another friend, attending one his concerts in the 80s said Buffett kept admonishing the crowd for singing along with his songs, saying he couldn't hear himself from the stage. My, how things have changed.

I also am not sure of the nature of this incident but John Boy and Billy from the syndicated John Boy and Billy's Big Show radio program apparently were witness to less than polite behavior during one of Buffett's appearances in Charlotte a few years back. They turned this into some comedy bit on their program but since I haven't listened to them in years, I'm no longer sure what it was about but I do recall Buffett either explaining or apologizing for the incident.

Despite what I listed above, my impression has always been that he's quite the Southern gentleman (this coming from just observing his public behavior, as I've never met him either). The incidents I cited were quite a few years ago and who knows, maybe my friend just caught him during a bad moment. I know I would love the opportunity someday just to shake his hand and thank him for all the years of great music he has brought me and my family. If that never happens, it'll be ok but it sure would be nice.

Like I said in an earlier post,everybody has good days, bad days and going half mad days! Can we expect him to be a perfect guy all the time, no. I know that usually I am pretty likeable and easy to get along with, but OCCASIONALLY I can come off as an a**hole if I am not in a good mood or dont particularly care for how somebody else is acting. With that as my theory, I dont take to much of rumored stories about how high profile people act( not ripping on you jahfin).
Well its about 5, time to get a beer and relax for the day!

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » February 13, 2004 4:48 pm

I left this one out, but it's really not a Buffett encounter so it may not officially count but my Dad ate at one of Buffett's restaurants (Dixie Diner?) in the Keys back in the 70s but one of his friends had to get up and leave because of the overwhelming stench of marijuana.

PHat Matt · Post by **PHat Matt** » February 13, 2004 5:31 pm

Ive talked to 3 people who have met Jimmy in the 70's, and they all said great stuph about him. One guy played pool in Capt. Tonys with him, another guy was vacationing in Key West and was at the beach with a lot of beer, Jimmy came up, sat down, and played him some songs phor a beer. The other guy had the chance of spending a half hour talking with Jimmy at a bar and said he is a great nice man. Im convinced!!!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 13, 2004 5:33 pm

Jahfin wrote:I left this one out, but it's really not a Buffett encounter so it may not officially count but my Dad ate at one of Buffett's restaurants (Dixie Diner?) in the Keys back in the 70s but one of his friends had to get up and leave because of the overwhelming stench of marijuana.

From what I've heard, that describes about half the restaurants in the Keys in the 70's.

CRC Parrothead · Post by **CRC Parrothead** » February 13, 2004 5:42 pm

I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy recently, but it was very brief. I shook his hand, introduced myself, asked him if he liked my hat (He laughed and said he did!), got him to sign a beach ball for Freddy, thanked him, said it was great to meet you, and that was that. He was smiling the whole time, very nice & friendly, but not real chatty like he comes across on stage.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » February 13, 2004 5:47 pm

CRC --
He was probably just speechless when he met you.

BinghamtonPH · Post by **BinghamtonPH** » February 13, 2004 5:50 pm

I had a dream once that I met him.... he seemed like a nice guy.....

CRC Parrothead · Post by **CRC Parrothead** » February 13, 2004 5:53 pm

LIPH wrote:CRC --
He was probably just speechless when he met you.

Right!!

You are on a roll today!!