CMT interview with Jimmy Buffett

Albums and Songs, Interviews 2 Comments

From CMT: Jimmy Buffett Gets the Band Back Together in “Down at the Lah De Dah”

Jimmy Buffett is bringing back the beach vibes with Life on the Flip Side, a sun-soaked album that debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s country album chart in June. A few days before a long-awaited fishing trip in Nantucket, Buffett called in to CMT.com to talk about his charming new video for “Down at the Lah De Dah,” premiering below.

In this first half of our two-part interview, the man behind “Margaritaville” reveals the inspiration for the video, how he “Buffettized” the song, and why he still sings in bars. Take a look at “Down at the Lah De Dah,” then enjoy our visit with Jimmy Buffett below the player.

So we took Paul Brady from Dublin, the girls in California, the band in Nashville, me in Malibu, and it looks really great! We used our video director, Stan Kallem, who does all of our roadwork – he’s a pretty talented guy but also knows us, and has been around us enough to know how to “do us” in particular. We took basically what we do at shows, which is try to treat people to a little more than just the songs. We take them on a bit of a vacation. I think he did a brilliant job. I tested it on people from 15 to 75 and it worked!

Margaritaville Resort Lake Conroe now open

Margaritaville Resorts 1 Comment

From the Houston Chronicle: “Margaritaville preps for opening on Lake Conroe“

The first Margaritaville Resort in Texas is set to open June 26 in Montgomery. The highly anticipated 186-acre resort features a splash of dining concepts and recreational activities, including a water park, an 18-hole golf course, a ‘5 O’Clock Somewhere’ swim-up pool bar and boat rentals. In addition to a 72,000 square foot conference and event space, there are 303 suites in the 20-story luxury tower and another 32 lake cottages on the property.

The tiki huts and hammocks are set up and the white sand is waiting for guests as the first Margaritaville Resort in Texas opens this week on Lake Conroe.

The former La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa will officially drift away in Montgomery County’s history as Jimmy Buffett’s new 186-acre island escape officially and fully opens Friday.

The highly anticipated, renovated retreat that greets its guests with a 20-story tower, a flip flop statue, and large yellow LandShark chair is set to offer a variety of ways for folks to not only rest and relax but also to dine and play.

“We are excited to open up on Friday … Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe — the first Margaritaville Resort in the state of Texas,” Faust said. “We have something for everyone here, young and old, with an 18-hole golf course, three acre water park, full service spa and salon, expansive fitness center, boat slips, miniature golf, five Margaritaville inspired restaurants and bars, 335 guest suites and lake cottages.”

Buffett postpones Grand Ole Opry show

Special Appearances 5 Comments

A message from Jimmy Buffett:

To all Opry fans,
I would just like to say how disappointed I am that because of circumstances with the recent spikes in COVID-19, I have had to postpone my trip to Nashville to play with Mac and Brad Paisley. I have loved the Grand Ole Opry since the days I covered shows at the Ryman as a Billboard reporter on Music Row in the early 70s before I moved to Margaritaville. As soon as it is safe for me to travel back to Music City and meet up with Mac and Brad, I will come play for you. Can’t wait. See you then and keep your Fins Up. JB

Buffett appears on the Bobby Bones Show

Special Appearances 3 Comments

Buffett appeared on the Bobby Bones Show: “Jimmy Buffett On The Burrito & Margarita That Inspired Margaritaville“

After spending more than 5 years working on Margaritaville The Musical, Buffett started focusing on his new album. He spent two years writing the new songs and now Buffett is set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 27th. Back in 1971, Buffett was a reporter for Billboard Magazine. During his time as a reporter, he covered shows several Opry shows, especially ones at the Opry. However, he only played one time with Jenny Lewis. His debut will be his first time performing on his own with friends Brad Paisley, and Mac McAnally.

Buffett continued sharing stories from his time as a reporter. He said at the time, it was “pre-outlaw” country music time. The artists on the rise were Lynn Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, among others. Despite having a Journalism degree, Buffett planned on reporting being a temporary job. He says the job gave him the ability to figure things out in the music industry for his future music career.

When it came to his music career, Buffett shared his thoughts on his collaborations with Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band. He said he felt honored that people thought of him as someone to look to when it came to “beach music.” For him, Gordon Lightfoot and Merle Haggard were the artists he looked up to and inspired to be like. As far as the song that inspired all things Buffet, “Margaritaville,” he shared when and how the song was actually written. He confirmed he started writing it in Austin, Texas. He had a burrito and margarita at a Mexican restaurant that is no longer in business, and he says it was a hot day and the margarita hit the spot. That inspired the origin of the song. From there, he was driving with some others back down to Key West, Florida when they got caught in standstill traffic. He finished the song while waiting for traffic to continue and later that night he performed the song at a bar in Key West. The audience seemed to enjoy the song and from there, the song became a life of its own.