New book paints bad picture of Buffett

[Jahfin]

(I know he p*** off the morning DJs, Bob and Tom, some years back I'd love to know why....lol)....

Syndicated radio DJs John Boy and Billy loved to rag on him about something involving one of his Charlotte concerts that dates back many years but I don't recall any of the details off hand.

I've not heard that he harms children, drowns kittens, kicks puppies or rapes 90 year old women....just about anything else is a matter of perspective.

I've read that Clay Aiken apparently has something against kittens.

[Sam]

The thing is it is total speculation at this point in time if the book is being written. It may or may not ever come to be. No one knows who this alleged person is or even if they exist.

The alleged author is allegedly writing about his or her alleged experiences with Jimmy Buffett. No matter, that the rumor has them being about Jimmy Buffett in a negative light. This supposed author may have good things to say in the rumored book as well as bad in it. All speculation.

People write "tell all" books all the time. They are nothing new. The factuality(?) may depend on one's perception of the situation at the time.

I have heard bad things and I have heard good things about Jimmy Buffett from people that have met him. None of them matter to influence my opinion of his music. I don't think Jimmy Buffett gives a hoot about my or others opinion or lack there of by others, of him.

There is BIG DIFFERENCE between being a manager and being a Leader. No one can deny Jimmy Buffett's success. What he has done and how he maintains his businneses works for him. No matter the manner or style he does it or handles it. You can't please everyone....you just got to find what works best for you and please yourself and do your best to succeed. That doen'st mean catering to and trying to please everyone, nor does it mean you have to stomp everyone into the ground to get there. ( Though that method has worked for some....) I know Jimmy has been stomped into the ground at least once or twice and I am sure he didn't like it then. I am also quite sure that he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants and the way he wants, within reason, and if not, then.... "See Ya!" Hasta La Vista" (sp)

Jimmy has never denied he was a pirate....
Everyone has "....Good days and bad days, and going half mad days..."

Again since book is only speculation at this time...it is merely speculative as to what it contents may or may not be....

[brahmafear]

Well I heard from a reliable source that Jimmy runs his bidness similar to Wal Mart. Most of his employees work around 32 hours a week and that way they are not considered full time therefore not eligible for benefits. It was disturbing when I heard it but JB is JB and he is what he is. I feel you need to separate the "business man" from the musician. That's something that JB needs to deal with, if working for him sucks, it sucks. I never gave it much thought but this thread seemed to be the place I could!!!!

[Coconuts]

Well I heard from a reliable source that Jimmy runs his bidness similar to Wal Mart. Most of his employees work around 32 hours a week and that way they are not considered full time therefore not eligible for benefits. It was disturbing when I heard it but JB is JB and he is what he is. I feel you need to separate the "business man" from the musician. That's something that JB needs to deal with, if working for him sucks, it sucks. I never gave it much thought but this thread seemed to be the place I could!!!!

Not so true- from an insurance perspective, employees are eligible for health care benefits if they work 25 or more hours per week. Most companies don't make that public- and a majority of Buffett's operations are in food service, which is not an industry known for having good benefits.

[Ilph]

Maybe ticket prices are so expensive this year so all of Jimmy's employees can have benefits!

[Cubbie Bear]

I was given a copy of Steve Eng's Buffett book that was mentioned earlier. It is a poorly written, poorly researched, poorly documented collection of old news and "I heard from somebody, who knew somebody who over heard...."

Unless, this disgruntled ex-employee is somebody of some prominence, I probably will not bother with this book at all

[ragtopW]

I was given a copy of Steve Eng's Buffett book that was mentioned earlier. It is a poorly written, poorly researched, poorly documented collection of old news and "I heard from somebody, who knew somebody who over heard...."

Unless, this disgruntled ex-employee is somebody of some prominence, I probably will not bother with this book at all

buy it from a Thrift store for 1$

[Sam]

Maybe ticket prices are so expensive this year so all of Jimmy's employees can have benefits!

You mean the ones that are left in the band?

[Key Lime Lee]

Most of the core team (and yes, the band) have been with JB for years. As with any employee/employer relationship, no doubt there may be areas of difference of opinion, but the fact that folks have stuck around this long should give you a pretty good insight into how the man is perceived by those closest to him.

[jbfinscj]

Didn't Buffett put the brakes on a similar unauthorized biography a few years back?

Are you talking about the book written by Steve Eng called "Jimmy Buffett Vol. 1 : The Man From Margaritaville Revealed." If I remember correctly I bought a copy of the book when I was first getting into Buffett, but quickly returned it after I read the letter from Jimmy Buffett asking Eng not to write the book.

[Jahfin]

Didn't Buffett put the brakes on a similar unauthorized biography a few years back?

Are you talking about the book written by Steve Eng called "Jimmy Buffett Vol. 1 : The Man From Margaritaville Revealed." If I remember correctly I bought a copy of the book when I was first getting into Buffett, but quickly returned it after I read the letter from Jimmy Buffett asking Eng not to write the book.

That would be the one.

I'm still interested to know if most fans would be more interested in a book that heaps nothing but praise on Buffett or a more well rounded one that's a fairly accurate portrayal of him. Personally I wouldn't wanna read a book that just out and out slammed him but by the same token I wouldn't wanna read a book about him that was basically a "fluff" piece either.

[Coconuts]

(I know he p*** off the morning DJs, Bob and Tom, some years back I'd love to know why....lol)....

I'm not so sure on that one- I know one of them (Chick maybe?) is a HUGE PH, and they always throw a huge party before the concert. I mean, he may well have royally honked them off, but they're over it.

And honestly, I don't give a crap about Buffett The Man, or even Buffett The Performer- I go to concerts to hang out with other parrotheads and to see the band. If Jimmy stopped touring and Club Trini started up a summer tour, I would still pay the exact same ticket price. So I won't be reading the book either way.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I'm still interested to know if most fans would be more interested in a book that heaps nothing but praise on Buffett or a more well rounded one that's a fairly accurate portrayal of him. Personally I wouldn't wanna read a book that just out and out slammed him but by the same token I wouldn't wanna read a book about him that was basically a "fluff" piece either.

I'd be interested in an authorized biography that's an accurate portrayal, but I'm not really interested in an unauthorized bio, no matter if it's only the good stuff or a big slam.

[Soraya]

I've read that Clay Aiken apparently has something against kittens.

Highly allergic or something, right? I know more about that poor child then I should. Now, get this, the wife of a coworker owns the condo that the head of Aiken's fan club sublets......the woman tried to force the landlord to pay for new carpeting and professional pet dander removal because the woman had a cat!!

At least the N&O isn't acting as stupid about him moving back to the area as the Toledo paper that has it's own section on Cruise and Holmes.

[Soraya]

(I know he p*** off the morning DJs, Bob and Tom, some years back I'd love to know why....lol)....

I'm not so sure on that one- I know one of them (Chick maybe?) is a HUGE PH, and they always throw a huge party before the concert. I mean, he may well have royally honked them off, but they're over it.

Bob and Tom are like any other performer....they will do what works for their fame and money. I just remember that Tom mentioned they would never have JB on the show again. Maybe he was joking...hard to tell sometimes.

I am with you....I won't be reading the book either.....it won't be the true story anyway.

As for JB not having benifits for food service workers....lol....I've never bartended for a place that did offer insurance. It just isn't standard in the industry. (And I worked for national chains as well as huge clubs and dive bars. The only time I could have gotten insurance through my job was when I worked for the military running an NCO club.)

[Capt.Flock]

Soraya I dont know how mad Bob and Tom are because the had Mac on last year before the show in Indy.

[Coconuts]

I just remember that Tom mentioned they would never have JB on the show again. Maybe he was joking...hard to tell sometimes.

As for JB not having benifits for food service workers....lol....I've never bartended for a place that did offer insurance. It just isn't standard in the industry. (And I worked for national chains as well as huge clubs and dive bars. The only time I could have gotten insurance through my job was when I worked for the military running an NCO club.)

I kinda maybe remember something about this, but I'm thinking that had more to do with a PH near riot than Jimmy, but I'm not very sure on that at all.

[Soraya]

Soraya I dont know how mad Bob and Tom are because the had Mac on last year before the show in Indy.

Mac, though always linked to Jimmy, is not JB himself. I have to do some research on the source of that comment.

At the time, hubby and I could drive to work, and we often listened to B&T....when Tom made the comment (I see on BN that it was Bob that went to the show last year) and hubby (not a JB fan really) made a smart aleck comment...so I know I was not imagining it...lol!

Heck...it was early and I am not a morning person....so maybe I was!

[conched]

I'd be interested in reading anything about Jimmy. Now, whether I believe it or remember it...is a totally different thing.

I had to go back and reread APLA50 to figure out just what the Albatross really is.

Did Jimmy ever have a Grumman Goose? Just what was The Lady of The Waters?

Who is Jimmy's harmonica player on License to Chill. Where was Jimmy's first gig?
Who are the Island Girls? Who said Feliz Annus?

Will I read an unauthorized bio? Sure. (It may hurt if someone says bad things about Jimmy, but I hear opinions all the time.)

Have I read the Eng book? Sure. I've read everything from the handbook, to the scrapbook, to the Cocotels, etc, etc. to all those news stories people find and post here.

But, there is nothing like Jimmy's style and I look forward to the time he wants to share more. He's given us a few great songs to tide us over and the simulcast for Coastal Confessions, but a lot has happened since 1996!!!

[which particular harbor?]

My two cents worth, ...might not be worth the two cents...but here goes. Well, I have a friend who used to work for JB in Key West. She said that during his drinking days he was an a**. But after he "straightened up" he became much better to work for.
Now my opinion. I enjoy his works, and his persona seems like a good, fun person. People all have their opinions...That's what makes these boards so GREAT!