The Pros and Cons of Jimmy Buffett at 60

phansheridan · Post by **phansheridan** » August 9, 2008 4:24 pm

Jimmy Buffett is sixty years old, at an age where most people are thinking about retiring Jimmy is expanding his empire, whether you like it or not Jimmy Buffett is a business. I have compiled a list of pros and cons taking into account alot of what has been said on here.

Pros:
Still touring at sixty years old- most musicians have packed it in by Jimmys age, and the ones who are still touring like he does (The Rolling Stones, The Eagles ect) have all had dozens of hit songs compared to Jimmy's four (Marg, Cheeseburger, Come Monday and Five O'Clock)

The atmosphere of a Buffett show is still there, yes the crowd is different (read... younger), but the atmosphere of the show which is escapism is still there. Yes there is alot more people who are just there for the party and did not properly pace themselves, but for many of these people this is their first trip to see Jimmy and lets face it the Parrotheads can be a bit overwhelming when its the first time you see us. They are just trying to get into the party and may not understand that it is an all day party, but after said party you still go to a three hour concert, how many people on here have honestly never been a bit overserved going to see Buffett

Product placement is everywhere, movies, TV shows, and every tour has a sponsor, its simply good business for Jimmy to invest in a product than get millions of dollars in free advertising at his shows. Jimmy is generally in tune to his fans and knows what type of products they buy so why not buy them from him. Yes they may cost a bit more but if you do not like them noone is forcing you to buy a frozen concoction maker that works generally the same as your regular blender

Jimmy Buffett still plays close to three hour sets with no opening acts, he is out on stage the whole time playing 25-30 songs, and just because they may not be the exact songs you would like to hear does not nessesarily make the show bad. It is alot easier for a band who has 3-5 albums to get all the songs their fans want into a 3 hour set than it is for someone with close to thirty, There are songs that the newer casual fans recognize and need to hear, and yes Jimmy plays for his fans but his older fan base is pretty locked in at this point he is playing to newer younger fans who will buy his products and music far after he hangs up his flip flops.

Cons:
Ticket prices are pretty much on par with other top rock and roll acts. Yes Jimmy Buffett does make alot of money every summer from touring but his prices are comparable to Elton John who is charging $167 per ticket, Madonna charging $350 and 160 for her floor seats, Tom Petty charging $115 per ticket, Bruce Springsteen charging $95 for floor seats in a football stadium, and the Eagles price of $185 for good seats. All of these bands are comparable to Jimmy, and you don't get the parrotheads which are half of the show. The price on concert tickets and entertainment in general is going up, at $127 per ticket while still steep, seems to be on the lowside of high end entertainment

Set setlists at sixty does it really matter if hes in auto pilot, he has given his fans what they want for forty years, if he wants one or two summers or even the rest of his career to put on a pretty standard show that he can come in and do with minimal effort and this minimal effort will still sell out every show, who are you to question it. Jimmy seems to enjoy performing which is why he still does and we should all be greatful that he is continueing to give us an oppertunity to see him every summer, he could have packed it up years ago and sailed off into the sunset with his huge bank account but instead he goes out every summer and plays twenty something shows, he is old give him a break.

The Lawn is a different place than it used to be the fans are younger and most mainstream musicians which is what Jimmy is for better or worse want younger crowds at their concerts both to boost revenue and so that their music lasts for further generations. In part the origional parrotheads who raised their children on the music may be in part to blame but the younger crowd brings a new energy to the crowd and yes some of our behavior on the lawn may not be the best but if you would like to enjoy the show with your family in a quiet setting I think A) a buffett show may not be the best place where the majority of the crowd has been drinking all day and B) sit towards the middle or back of the lawn as people up front are generally pushing their way in for better sports

Teleprompter- some of these songs were written over thirty years ago, and while he has calmed down quite a bit, some of the activities that Jimmy used to participate in arent exactly friendly to ones memory. If he needs some reminders or ques on some of the older rare songs, wouldnt you rather have him get the help and make it through than butcher the song?

Flip & Flop · Post by **Flip & Flop** » August 9, 2008 5:29 pm

I agree with the pros and cons that have been mentioned above. There are pros and cons to all parts of our daily lives. I have joined BN because Buffett's music is my passion. Most of my friends are not big fans. Therefore, I check in with BN to see what others who share my passion think about Jimmy and what he is up to. I would say that at 60 he seems to be having as much fun as ever. For me, this is what Jimmy is all about, having fun. Going to his shows is the one time of the year when I try not to take life so seriously. Didn't know there was a teleprompter at the shows! Just need to remember, nobody is perfect.

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 9, 2008 6:59 pm

I totally agree with the above pros and cons. Welcome to life!

Regarding teleprompters, it's not an uncommon thing at shows. If it is not a teleprompter, it is lyric sheets taped to the stage at the artist's feet. For example, Tom Petty has lyric sheets taped to the stage. I'd rather have an artist use any way they can to help them with the words to their songs, because it really can be frustrating when the brain has a total fart in the middle of a song.

Migration Michelle · Post by **Migration Michelle** » August 9, 2008 9:27 pm

I have noticed that Jimmy only seems to use the teleprompter during the songs he doesn't play as often. You know... the songs that people are always complaining that they never hear.

jr! · Post by **jr!** » August 9, 2008 10:16 pm

I just got into Buffett recently.
I must say this: Buffett at 60+ is better than the Rolling Stones at more or less the same age. I used to be a HUGE Stones fan, but currently would rather see Buffett over the Stones, & wish they would pack it in, while I wish Jimmy would play Toronto more often!!
Now if only he could play The Ballad of Spider John as his closing acoustic number I'd be happy...

Joetown Parrothead · Post by **Joetown Parrothead** » August 9, 2008 10:25 pm

Hell, I hope I live to 60 and have his worries!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » August 9, 2008 11:00 pm

Pros: JB's still playing and I"m still listening

Cons: It ain't gonna last forever....

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 10, 2008 3:01 am

Pros--Buffett's music came along for me when I needed it the most.

Cons--I wish I would have payed attention to this music sooner.

Another pro is that Jimmy's music has such a nice effect on my guide dog. Last night I was sitting in my recliner listening to CILCIA. Sammie is a little golden retriever who weighs 53 pounds, and she loves to stand on her hind feet and wrap her front feet around me as if to give me a hug. Well, when CILCIA started playing Sammie came running, put the front half of her body in my lap, and turned her head towards the speakers as if to be looking for that voice coming from the speakers. She stayed on my lap for a good five minutes until I told her to get down.

cbtrtbum · Post by **cbtrtbum** » August 10, 2008 3:07 am

phansheridan, very well written. I agree, and appreciate your writing that out. Cheers to seeing Jimmy as many times as possible!!! Peace,Chris

cbtrtbum · Post by **cbtrtbum** » August 10, 2008 3:10 am

jr, i have livin and dying in 3/4 time in my truck cd player right now (and have for a few days) and every time i hear spider john i hope hell bust it out!! (that and Brama Fear) Peace,Chris

changingchannels · Post by **changingchannels** » August 10, 2008 7:42 am

i have no problem with him using a teleprompter its better than completely fumbling through the lyrics and being caught by the fans. with the amount of material he has im surprised its taken him this long to actually use one. he started using it on 06 tour. alot of bands are using one after 2 or 3 albums.

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 10, 2008 8:02 am

changingchannels wrote:i have no problem with him using a teleprompter its better than completely fumbling through the lyrics and being caught by the fans. with the amount of material he has im surprised its taken him this long to actually use one. he started using it on 06 tour. alot of bands are using one after 2 or 3 albums.

I agree with you. When help is needed to keep everything straight it just simply means that an artist is human and not perfect after all.

Migration Michelle · Post by **Migration Michelle** » August 10, 2008 3:50 pm

Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 10, 2008 4:41 pm

Migration Michelle wrote:Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?

Yes, 60 is supposed to be the new 40, and in Jimmy's case, that is so true.

gingerbreadman · Post by **gingerbreadman** » August 10, 2008 4:42 pm

Migration Michelle wrote:Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?

That's what I thought I heard too... Jimmy certainly behaves like he's still 40!

Oh, and all the Tom Petty tickets I bought this year were $95 for the good seats, not $115.

Tropic_Al · Post by **Tropic_Al** » August 10, 2008 4:43 pm

Migration Michelle wrote:Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?

That's what I keep telling myself...

'cuz then I'm still in my 30's

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 10, 2008 4:50 pm

gingerbreadman wrote:
Migration Michelle wrote:Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?
That's what I thought I heard too... Jimmy certainly behaves like he's still 40!

Oh, and all the Tom Petty tickets I bought this year were $95 for the good seats, not $115.

All the Tom Petty tickets? How many times have you seen him this year. I've seen him once so far, and I will be seeing him in San Francisco in a couple of weeks. He's headlining a festival which will include Jack Johnson, Beck, Ben Harper, Wilco among many others.

ParrotHeadInThe Making · August 10, 2008 4:54 pm

Hey, if 60 is the new 40 then that puts me in my early 20's. That works for me.

gingerbreadman · Post by **gingerbreadman** » August 10, 2008 5:22 pm

ParrotHeadInThe Making wrote:
gingerbreadman wrote:
Migration Michelle wrote:Isn't 60 the new 40?!?!?
That's what I thought I heard too... Jimmy certainly behaves like he's still 40!

Oh, and all the Tom Petty tickets I bought this year were $95 for the good seats, not $115.
All the Tom Petty tickets? How many times have you seen him this year. I've seen him once so far, and I will be seeing him in San Francisco in a couple of weeks. He's headlining a festival which will include Jack Johnson, Beck, Ben Harper, Wilco among many others.

Sounds like a good time in San Fran. Saw him twice so far this year. Was going to see 3x but had to cancel due to family emergency. Will see him once more this month at the Woodlands in Texas. Oooops! I guess the Woodlands tickets were $99. My bad!

Now, BTT!

Randy1278 · Post by **Randy1278** » August 10, 2008 7:47 pm

PROS: A lot of different albums and styles to make us all happy that any one of those albums can fix our "jones" for the day!

CONS: Wishing I was born maybe 10-15 years earlier so I could have seen more shows.