9 Stages of Buffett

LesPaul30 · Post by **LesPaul30** » April 27, 2005 10:24 am

I'm sure many of seen this before, but with all the recent bickering it looks like we have alot of "Stage 7/8" folks right now..... figured I'd repost this:

Where is everyone else on this list? (saw this on some site a few years back...)

The 9 Stages of being a Parrot Head

1. Jimmy Who...
Who the hell is Buffett, oh that guy who did (choose one)
· a. Margaritaville
· b. Cheeseburger in Paradise
· c. Why don't We Get Drunk and Screw.
(Spells Buffett with one "t")

2. Oh it's with two "t's";
Buys "Songs You Know by Heart" because he heard "that one song" at a party
Starts hearing all about the wild concerts and openly declares to the
world that he/she is a parrot head. Goes out and buys that Hawaiian shirt
they wanted all their life, or at least since last week.

3. Look at me, I'm a parrot head.
Goes to a Jimmy Buffett concert and is amazed by all things parrothead.
Loved the show but can't remember any of it through the alcoholic haze.

4. One Particular Parrot
Decides they should buy a few more albums so that the old timers will stop
laughing at them when Jimmy plays "One Particular Harbour" and
he/she says "that's a great song, I've never heard it."

5. Domino College
Buys the box set so they don't have to buy all the old albums. Still gets
laughed at or ignored because they've never heard "Migration", and
"Cowboy", The good news is she/he knows "Fins" well enough to
move his/her hands the right way at the concert.

6. Buffett is God
Starts collecting the albums, buys a couple more Hawaiian shirts, maybe
even a coconut bra. Has two concert tees, and a subscription to the
Coconut Telegraph. Suddenly has a burning need to find out all that is
Buffett. Considers Buffett to be GOD, 'though they've never heard the song
"God's Own Drunk". Actually believes Buffett is a beach bum.
NOTE: Some people never get passed this stage...

7. Say it Ain't so Jimmy.
Is reading everything there is on Buffett and is getting a little
disillusioned. They are closing their ears and screaming "say it
ain't so" when people criticize their "hero". No one stays
at this stage for very long They either punt and return to Stage 6 or move
to Stage 8.

8. Screw Buffett...
Accuse Buffett of being a heretic, Accuse him of selling out ... and all the
concerts sound the same...Screw Buffett; This is also a dead end stage for
many fans. Cancel subscription to CT, complains about concerts and new
records and every other money grubbing venture Mr. Margaritaville is
wrapped up in. Hates it when his/her non parrothead friends label him/her a
parrot head.

9. My name is ...... and I listen to Buffett music.
Comes to the realization that Buffett is human, and deals with it, with the
help of other Buffett fans or some internal strength. Understands the
myth, and to some degree, the man who created it and finds comprimise
somewhere between stage 6 and stage 8. Can't buy anymore albums
because they have them all, already. Enjoys the music for what it
represents, which is why they bought it in the first place and ignore all the other
crap as best as possible, without forsaking their own moral standards.
NOTE: If you reach stage nine and still continuously listen to Buffett and
enjoy the concerts and the lifestyle....you, my friend, are a parrothead.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » April 27, 2005 10:29 am

I float between 8 and 9... even tho I don't have all the albums yet. And it isn't a really vehement Stage 8, more just a "don't lie to me, and accept that while you have the power to change things Jimmy, you don't and that is sad".

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » April 27, 2005 10:29 am

It seems like alot of people around here are stuck on #7 and #8.

LonePalm1 · Post by **LonePalm1** » April 27, 2005 10:30 am

Very cute! I'd like to say

...Hi my name is Mindy... and Im a parrothead...

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » April 27, 2005 10:33 am

I kinda threw a Hail Mary from 6/7 and landed on 9.

Finsupinfla · Post by **Finsupinfla** » April 27, 2005 10:37 am

springparrot wrote:It seems like alot of people around here are stuck on #7 and #8.

Yes they are. Not playing at a certain venue should be added to #7 or #8. I will refrain from naming these places.

snowcow · Post by **snowcow** » April 27, 2005 10:41 am

I do not think I followed this road map. Or maybe I am at nine already, why can't someone criticize someone and still be a fan? So I guess I am also stuck by 8 and 9. The road has been so long not sure when it started. 1987 I think. Some guy I worked with on a summer job gave me a tape of Buffett and that was that. There is still nothing better than a ragtop day.

babbitphed · Post by **babbitphed** » April 27, 2005 10:55 am

Where would someone like me who has listen to his music sice the mid-70's, and other old pharts who have been onboard even before that? Way before the term "Parrothead" was coined.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » April 27, 2005 10:59 am

1. Jimmy Who...
I saw Jimmy when NOBODY knew who he was.... not applicable

2. Oh it's with two "t's";
First Buffett album bought was White Sport Coat - Back when it FIRST came out.

3. Look at me, I'm a parrot head.
I was there before the term

4. One Particular Parrot
skipped this one too.....

5. Domino College
another skip

6. Buffett is God
Would anyone like to buy a tshirt from my factory?

7. Say it Ain't so Jimmy.
rationalized during this phase

8. Screw Buffett...
Accuse Buffett of being a heretic, Accuse him of selling out ... YES and all the
concerts sound the same...Screw Buffett NO - but I do think he's screwing the fans; This is also a dead end stage for
many fans. Cancel subscription to CT, complains about concerts and new
records and every other money grubbing venture Mr. Margaritaville is
wrapped up in. Hates it when his/her non parrothead friends label him/her a
parrot head. Don't hate it - sad they don't see the greed for what it is

9. My name is ...... and I listen to Buffett music.
Comes to the realization that Buffett is human, and deals with it, with the
help of other Buffett fans or some internal strength. Understands the
myth, and to some degree, the man who created it and finds comprimise
somewhere between stage 6 and stage 8. Can't buy anymore albums
because they have them all, already. Enjoys the music for what it
represents, which is why they bought it in the first place and ignore all the other
crap as best as possible, without forsaking their own moral standards.
NOTE: If you reach stage nine and still continuously listen to Buffett and
enjoy the concerts and the lifestyle....you, my friend, are a parrothead

over the past few months I find myself slipping between 8 and 9 - is there a support group?

Purple Ink · Post by **Purple Ink** » April 27, 2005 11:02 am

I thought I was going to just completely bypass 8 until a few years ago. Then I got shut out of tickets for a few shows around the time the "corporate stuff" was really taking off. I mean, it was getting crazy...a new store/restaurant opening here and there, Margaritaville Tequila was getting going, Krispy Kreme, playing the private gigs for bazillionaires and all of a sudden after all of these years I couldn't get a lousy two tickets to a fricken show...all that...total stage 8...just abandoned all hope.

And then, after about 6 months I landed...home again...in number 9.

phansheridan · Post by **phansheridan** » April 27, 2005 11:17 am

Ive been stuck on stage 6 for a while, dont really plan on leaving for seven either, though I have heard gods own drunk, I try not to worry too much about jimmys political views, business sense, offstage personality or ticket prices as long as I get to goto those shows every summer and have a good time,

Purple Ink · Post by **Purple Ink** » April 27, 2005 11:29 am

Oh, and yeah, I never really went through stages 1-5, or if I did it happened in one fell swoop. I grew up in the seventies with relatives who lived on the water or on boats and most of them were Buffett fans. Hell, for my 9th or 10th birthday my uncle gave me a cowboy hat and an 8-track of Changes...

I also listened to Buffett way before my first alcoholic beverage and there was any kind of "parking lot scene."

So, I guess I went straight to 6 around age 12 or so and then went to 9 in high school (when I learned he wasn't really a beach bum) and stayed there for about 15 years until the aforementioned slide back to 8 a few years ago.

But, You Had to Be There was my second album purchase, so I already knew "God's Own Drunk." I guess that means I was never really in 6, either.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » April 27, 2005 11:35 am

How can there be 9 stages of Buffett, and only 1 Jimmy?

(this is intended as humor... I pictured Summerfest in Milwaukee, a "music festival" with stages all over the grounds, with multiple acts playing at all times... sorry, lame, I know. Carry on.)

Purple Ink · Post by **Purple Ink** » April 27, 2005 11:36 am

...and yeah, I got made fun of a lot for being into Buffett in high school in the early-mid 80's.

Hell, most folks laughed at the fact that I was a Deadhead...but even my Deadhead friends laughed at my Buffett collection.

igator · Post by **igator** » April 27, 2005 12:09 pm

definitely a straight-to-niner here-- w/ a healthy sprinkling of Stage 6. Never exited at any of the others. I'm very proud of JB's accomplishments and i've never been to the point of obsession either. Not my bag. I love the songwriter for what he gives-- once the song is written it belongs to the world imo..and Parrotheads are just fun folks to be around. Period. JB didn't invent the lifestyle-- he simply capitalized on it. Those who criticize him for looking out for his best interest maybe need to re-examine their attachment.

JB's drive to be successful is what has defined his songs and career-- he's journaled the whole way--result = great tunes. great inspiration..oh and lotsa $$$

f2cdlzrd · Post by **f2cdlzrd** » April 27, 2005 12:55 pm

Moved quickly to Stage 6 and jumped directly to Stage 9.
My name is Stephanie.....and I am a Parrothead.

jbfins · Post by **jbfins** » April 27, 2005 1:47 pm

I am trying as hard as possible to get to Stage 9, but I am finding it VERY hard to get there.

nomad · Post by **nomad** » April 27, 2005 2:17 pm

I skipped 7 and 8. The man makes great music, if he want to be a trillionaire, who am I to say anything.

FinzEast · Post by **FinzEast** » April 27, 2005 3:50 pm

I bounce between 6 and 7...

Rum_Runner · Post by **Rum_Runner** » April 27, 2005 4:18 pm

Started at 3, a few years ago... But I did remember the concert

Skipped right to 6, still there, although I visit 7 and 8 once in awhile, but seem to slip back to 6....