"Zac Brown...the tiki torch is passed"

[JollyMon66]

Forgive me if this was posted elsewhere, I didn’t see a thread on it.

If you were in Atlanta last night or you were listening on RM…you heard Zac Brown play a few numbers with Jimmy. At the end of the Margaritaville duet, Jimmy fires off with….“Zac Brown…the tiki torch is passed”.

Look...I’m not the type of fan who lives and dies on over-analyzing stuff like but I’m intrigued. What are we to take from this? Should we assume Zac is Jimmy's official heir-apparent to the Buffett-mystique now???

Let’s face it there are a number of “Buffett-like” or want-a-be performers around… a few great in their own right…but none like Jimmy. Personally, I think Kenny Chesney is the biggest star right now who I think would gain additional Parrothead fans if God forbid Jimmy and the summer shows ceased to exist tomorrow.

As mentioned, I don’t want to over analyze but I’d be curious to know what others think.

[spartan1979]

I maintain that WE get to decide who the tiki torch is passed to, not Jimmy.

[surfpirate]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

[ph4ever]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

wonder if retirement will soon follow?

[sunseeker]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

wonder if retirement will soon follow?

He's made comments that he's no where near that.....

To me....I really don't care WHO jimmy passes the torch to - I will listen to who I want. Truthfully - I can't see myself traveling across the country to see Zac Brown.....

[surfpirate]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

wonder if retirement will soon follow?

I don't think so. Not yet.
I think he truly admires Zac Brown
and it's a classy way to acknowledge that in the moment and on stage.

[sunseeker]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

wonder if retirement will soon follow?

I don't think so. Not yet.
I think he truly admires Zac Brown
and it's a classy way to acknowledge that in the moment and on stage.

I agree - I see it as more of acknowledging Zac's skill and ability rather than a covert message to the masses as to who we should follow long after he is gone...

[ph4ever]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

He's obviously aware of the implied meaning and made the effort to repeat the remark once again.

wonder if retirement will soon follow?

He's made comments that he's no where near that.....

To me....I really don't care WHO jimmy passes the torch to - I will listen to who I want. Truthfully - I can't see myself traveling across the country to see Zac Brown.....

He's also said stuff and then changed his mind before too (haven't we all) I don't travel to see him anymore - I travel to see BN'ers. But I can see what you are saying.

[MrTwain]

He's also said stuff and then changed his mind before too (haven't we all) I don't travel to see him anymore - I travel to see BN'ers. But I can see what you are saying.

Exactly.

It's also comforting to know that being a Parrothead is more than just being a JB fan. And... when he finally disappears I believe that BN will continue. Being a Parrothead will continue. Tailgating will continue, along with Meeting of the Minds, Margaritaville Cafe, Flipperstock, Trop Rocks the Smokies, Parrothead Rendevous in Panama City, and more. And just so you know... that may or may not include Zac Brown! I know you'll all be there, though.

[SharkOnLand]

He also said he'd retire before he used a teleprompter, didn't he?

At least Zac Brown plays Colorado.

[sonofabeach]

Seems like Jimmy gets smitten with a different artist every year. For a while he covers them and plays with them. This year Zack Brown is the flavor of the year.

[backstreets77]

He also said he'd retire before he used a teleprompter, didn't he?

At least Zac Brown plays Colorado.

I wonder if he read what he said to Zac off the teleprompter.

[C-Dawg]

I maintain that WE get to decide who the tiki torch is passed to, not Jimmy.

Jimmy can crown whoever he wants....that doesn't mean we follow the heir the way we follow him. For me, Zac Brown needs to put out more material before I'll agree he's the real deal. I can think of far too many artists who were deemed "The next thing" with their debut albums but never again was able to capture that magic.....such as Peter Frampton, The Knack, Steve Miller Band, Boston, The Romantics.....

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I think we shouldn't read too much into it. IMHO JB is recognizing the next generation of musicians, not necessarily anointing his successor. JB said the same thing to Jake Shimabukuro onstage in Waikiki.

As an aside, I *really* like ZBB and can't wait to see them live.

[TommyBahama]

i like ZBB....not hardley considered trop rock .......more country .......not sure if he's someone i'd travel around to see.....and how do you replace Buffett....almost like trying to replace The Stones , The Who or Led Zep.....

[pbans]

He also said he'd retire before he used a teleprompter, didn't he?

At least Zac Brown plays Colorado.

....and Salt Lake City!

I have to say that there is 'something' about Zac Brown.....don't know what it is...generally speaking I don't like country music and I loathe Kenny Chesney....but I have found myself listening to selected songs of Zac Brown's again and again....they're just fun in the same way that Buffett music is fun for me.

I don't know if he's the heir apparent or that he's someone I would road trip or *gasp* hang out at a fansite for, but I like him.

[looking4OPH]

This is the second time he has made that comment, the first being on the Crossroads Show.

Thought the same thing when I heard it. I hope this doesn't get to be like the Olympic torch that Jimmy is going to pass along under the Big Top all summer long.......

[Bfan53again]

Jimmy says lots of things, on stage and off..........when he quits performing I'll decide the next performer(s) I choose to follow.

[palmettopirate]

I think Jimmy just sees a little of himself and his musical roots in Zac. He's kinda said something like that on the CMT thing. Zac hasn't had time to put out much stuff yet though. Jimmy's a Zac fan. He likes him and his style and he's trying to help out, that's all.

[ScarletB]

He also said he'd retire before he used a teleprompter, didn't he?

At least Zac Brown plays Colorado.

....and Salt Lake City!

I have to say that there is 'something' about Zac Brown.....don't know what it is...generally speaking I don't like country music and I loathe Kenny Chesney....but I have found myself listening to selected songs of Zac Brown's again and again....they're just fun in the same way that Buffett music is fun for me.

I don't know if he's the heir apparent or that he's someone I would road trip or *gasp* hang out at a fansite for, but I like him.

Same here, I'm not a huge country fan either but I do like some of Zac's stuff. Hope to get to see him in New Hampshire this summer.