I have to face reality - It finally happened

[allucaneatbuffett]

Let me start by saying that I am a long time PH who has been going to shows since I was 18. I am now 40. I have seen JB in 5 different states and been to dozens of shows. For many years, the only CD's that were ever in my car were Buffett CD's. I, like many of you, counted the days and hours leading up to the the phenominal shows every year. The shows where we tailgated like maniacs, drank like fish, sang the night away, and forgot all life's problems for one day. I spent many nights camping out in mall parking lots in the cold, staying up all night, peeing behind a mall dumpster, just for a chance to score great tickets to see the man. I have spent countless dollars on tickets, tailgating, airline tickets, etc to go waste away in Margaritaville. I never wanted to think about the day that Buffett retired, died, whatever. In my mind, these summer parties would go on forever.......

I'm sad to say it's happened. I never thought it would, but it has. I think my Buffett concert days are over. I attended the show at Jiffy Lube last month, after not going last year b/c of the Hurricane/tailgating policy/etc. I was so pumped for the show. we had great up front dead center tickets. But something strange happened. The feeling just wasn't there. The juices weren't flowing. It just wasn't the same. Mostly b/c everything just seemed stale, tired, and dare I say "old".... I just wasn't impressed. I felt myself tired of the same stuff. tired of the cover songs. couldn't believe I was listening to JB sing Lionel Richie!! Watching him perform 3-4 songs while sitting down... I stood there during the show and remember thinking "this might be it"......... Paying $145 to watch him just isn't worth it anymore. The show just isn't the same. The tailgating isn't the same. The energy isn't the same. Jimmy is becoming a tired act.

I went to 3 other shows this summer – Chesney/McGraw, Zac Brown, and Jason Aldean. Without questions, these 3 shows were fantastic, and more enjoyable than Jimmy, and a whole lot cheaper.

I’m done. It’s time to move on. I know so many people here commented on how great his show was this year, I just respectfully disagree. The show is over for me, that’s all. I just don’t enjoy it anymore. I will listen to Jimmy when I feel the urge, but the time has come for me to move on. It’s time to face reality. And please don’t respond with “good, save the tickets for real fans”, or anything of that nature. We all on here are part of the JB cult. Part of a group that has experienced such great music and atmosphere over the years, that others don’t understand. I have just decided those days are over for me. Good luck PH’s…..

[Tiki Torches]

I don't rule out ever seeing Buffett in concert again but the last time I attended one of his shows was in '96 at Walnut Creek in Raleigh. There was really nothing about that concert that turned me off to Buffett but there are a myriad of reasons why I haven't seen him in concert since then. Chief among those would be the difficulty in getting tickets as well as the price. I'm still a fan, I still keep up with his activities and buy his new records on the day of release, I just haven't seen him in concert in over 15 years and I'm quite alright with that. You will be too.

[surfpirate]

.... the only CD's that were ever in my car were Buffett CD's ..... We all on here are part of the JB cult ...

I never compartmentalized myself this much. I've always had broader interests.
I've never even called myself a parrothead much less thought of myself as being a part of a cult.

I feel the same as you about the difference and the change in the shows and the vibe,
but this isn't an earth shaking revelation to me.

[Tiki Torches]

.... the only CD's that were ever in my car were Buffett CD's ..... We all on here are part of the JB cult ...

I never compartmentalized myself this much. I've always had broader interests.
I've never even called myself a parrothead much less thought of myself as being a part of a cult.

It's being vocal about just this sort of thing that I believe has gotten me into trouble with some of my fellow music fans in the past. Even when I tried my best to articulate those thoughts without offending anyone, I still managed to do so which was never my intention. Even at the height of my R.E.M. and Drive-By Truckers fandom I never stopped listening to other music. I'm a huge Buffett fan but I never saw him more than once on the same tour. That's not a knock on anyone that does, it's just something I never did or felt was necessary (for me). Even with the Grateful Dead, R.E.M. and the Truckers I've never followed them (or any artist for that matter) around the country. Again, I see nothing whatsoever the matter with it, it's just that I've never gone to those sort of lengths as a fan of any artist.

[PartofthePhlock]

sounds like you not only grew older but you grew up too.

There's a LOT of good music out there, maybe you just need a break for a while.
Don't forget to support your local bands. That's where it all begins.

[TommyBahama]

i think some has to do....all the shows are now on Margaritaville Radio , much cheaper , by the time he comes to a city close by , you pretty much know the set list ( reason 1 i don't listen to RM before a show i will attend). Prices are another reason , 145.00 is a lot in this economy.....i still enjoy the shows , but , i think now, it's more the pre-concert things, which sorta were missing this year , seeing some of the CRB play on there own was one!!

[CheeseHead in Paradise!]

It's ironic that I happened upon this thread tonight. I just had a conversation with my brother about this very same topic a couple of weeks ago. We were discussing whether or not we should attend the show next year. We talked about many of the same reasons/issues already mentioned by allyoucaeatbuffett & TommyBahama.

It was the very first time either one of us had contemplated not attending our "annual right of summer"! We laughed about how weird it was that we were even having this discussion.

I'd say the odds are pretty good that we'll go should Jimmy return to the land of bratwurst, cheese & beer next year. However, the mere fact we entertained the idea of not going makes me sad. I keep thinking about that fateful day when JB does stop touring and how sad I'll be if I couldn't go see him one last time.

[sistergoldenhair]

Well, it's autumn, and autumn is a time of endings ... and yes all good things come to an end at some point ... but I still like a bit of harmless fun now and again. Jimmy is just another baby boomer playing his guitar (and I'm just a baby boomer girl, dancing in the stands), but man he can tell a story, and he's a fun guy to have around, and he can help me forget about the mortgage and tuition and all the other bs that we all deal with 24/7 every other day, and when we oldish hippie types hang out together at a tailgate and toast each other, and when I get to stand there and sing along and dance like I am 18 again, it's fun! So I respect everyone who has had enough, and I am happy to see those who still want to hula, 'cuz life can really s*** sometimes. and I've never had a bad time with JB, Rock on, and peace.

[LiveandletLiver]

I had my "last show" moment a few years ago but my daughter begged me to go to Vegas for one last show and it all just clicked again.

I am going to Vegas on the 27th for my 49th show. Once I hit 50 I may consider hanging it up but only if I feel like it.

[Tequila Revenge]

Life moves on and people do change. I haven't felt all that "Buffetty" for a few years. But I've met some great folks here and learn quite a bit about other artist. Hang around with the rest of us "non-cult" members

[FinsUp6835]

You have a right to your choice, but I have seen Kenny chesney for almost 8 years now and I am a big fan but his concerts are ALWAYS the same. Does not change one song for the setlist. That's getting old. ZBB are in their prime and they are unreal live. Jimmy is still the best in my book, hands down. Maybe it's the chatter between songs. I guess I just don't understand something's on this forum. I've been a parrothead for 12 years, Im just not sure I feel the love on here....

[Tiki Torches]

've been a parrothead for 12 years, Im just not sure I feel the love on here....

I can be as critical as anyone of Buffett but at the same time I'm obviously a very passionate fan and have been since I first heard his music back in the early to mid-70's. Personally, I appreciate the honesty inherent in posts such as this. That doesn't mean there's a lack of love for Jimmy Buffett. I appreciate the fact that his fans feel like they can be honest about their feelings here and this post is a prime example of that. I'm not saying this is true of you but with any artist you have the Kool-Aid drinkers (or in this case, margaritas) that firmly believe their favorite performer can do no wrong and you have the ones that aren't afraid to constructively criticize them. I most definitely fall into the latter category and that doesn't just go for Buffett, it goes for my other favorite artists as well. The Kool-Aid drinker types tend to interpret that as heresy, I see it as being honest about something you're obviously very passionate about.

[FunkHouse9]

In quite the contrast, I thought this year's show in Bristow was the best one he's done there in a long time and after years of contemplating if I really thought it was worthwhile to do it again the following year, I left Jiffy Lube this year looking forward to going again next year.

[FinsUp6835]

Tiki.... I guess you are implying that I am a Kool aid margarita drinker? Margarita drinker, yes, and thank you! I know JB isn't perfect, but what is? But, for me JB is my escape from the real problems of the world. I don't need to create problems in my parrothead world. Because then, we really have a lot to drink about! I dred the day that jB is done performing, or in fact worse, dying. However, when tht does happen...I will have a party at my house JB style, so I can have all of my friends and family enjoy the same experiences we have enjoyed at his shows for 12+ years. Experiences, concerts, anything in life is what you make of it. I prefer not to have negativity in my Margaritaville, you have the right to mayor yours however you want.

Finsup!

[Tiki Torches]

Tiki.... I guess you are implying that I am a Kool aid margarita drinker?

To clarify I said "I'm not saying this is true of you" but yes, you do strike me as a fan that apparently isn't fond of being critical of Buffett and you seem to take offense when others do, such as with the person that started this thread. At least that's what I got out of you saying you "don't feel the love on here". I see lots of love for Buffett on this board, including this thread. I'm not sure how to articulate it any better but one can be critical of their favorite artists and still be very passionate about their work. I know I am and that's not just true of Buffett, it's true across the board with every musician I'm a fan of.

[FinsUp6835]

Sorry I missed that. I guess I just don't like to be a negative nancy. No worries, east coast time has 3 more hours til it's 5 o clock somewhere! When I said, "I don't feel the love"... I was just implying that sometimes I feel there are people who are constantly negative, and point out every little thing they're not happy about. For example, tour dates released this year were late! I thought people were going to riot. It just seems to me, people who claim to live the lifestyle, and are "chill" are really the complete opposite. But, it's my choice to be on here and everyone is entitled to their opinion, no doubt. I guess I'll just have to go back to my parrothead den!

Fins up, no for real, enjoy the weekend! We should be debating this over a cold one tiki!

[Tiki Torches]

Sorry I missed that. I guess I just don't like to be a negative nancy. No worries, east coast time has 3 more hours til it's 5 o clock somewhere! When I said, "I don't feel the love"... I was just implying that sometimes I feel there are people who are constantly negative, and point out every little thing they're not happy about. For example, tour dates released this year were late! I thought people were going to riot. It just seems to me, people who claim to live the lifestyle, and are "chill" are really the complete opposite. But, it's my choice to be on here and everyone is entitled to their opinion, no doubt. I guess I'll just have to go back to my parrothead den!

Fins up, no for real, enjoy the weekend! We should be debating this over a cold one tiki!

Speaking just for myself, I much prefer the fans that feel that can be open and honest over the ones that think their favorite performers are perfect and can do no wrong and somehow feel others are less of a fan by expressing those feelings. I don't see them as being "negative Nancy's" or somehow betraying their favorite musicians or the image they project, I see them as fans that are very passionate about the music they love.

[FinsUp6835]

No one spoke of betrayel....Don't take it so personal man. Nor, is anyone in denial. Take it easy man.
Love and peace

[Tiki Torches]

No one spoke of betrayel....Don't take it so personal man. Nor, is anyone in denial. Take it easy man.
Love and peace

To clarify, I'm not taking anything "personal" nor am I upset, I'm just stating how I feel about your perceived lack of love for others on here every time one of them expresses an opinion that you feel is negative or that by expressing those feelings that they're somehow not reflecting the image you feel that Buffett wishes to project. When I listen to his music I hear a wide range of emotions being expressed in song, not all of them are of a guy wistfully sipping on a margarita in the Keys whilst hanging out in his hammock. To my ears his music is much deeper than that. To that end, I also enjoy the wide range of opinions that are expressed on here, just so long as they are of a constructive nature. I don't see anything negative about that.

[FinsUp6835]

You mean Jimmy doesn't sit on the beach and drink all day?! Next, you will tell me Santa isn't real! Okay, you win. I give up. Enjoy the weekend!

Fins up