Johnathan Baham, songwriter of Lovely Cruise

[Bwana Paul]

One of my favorite of the classic 'Buffett' songs is "Lovely Cruise." I used allmusic just out of curiousity as to who Baham is/was. Only information I have on him is that he was a young man when he played the song for Buffett. JB liked it so much that he covered it. Most people don't realize JB didn't write it, because it sounds so much like old school Buffett.

I am very curious as to who Baham is. Allmusic does not credit any other songs to Baham. Only that "Lovely Cruise" was published under Jimmy's Coral Reefer Music song publishing.

I wonder what happened to him. He could write a song.

[Elrod]

I am very curious as to who Baham is. Allmusic does not credit any other songs to Baham. Only that "Lovely Cruise" was published under Jimmy's Coral Reefer Music song publishing.

I wonder what happened to him.

A man named Jonathan Baham graduated with an Associate in Arts from Community College of Rhode Island in 2002.

There's a Jonathan Baham in the Air Force, but he wasn't born when Lovely Cruise was recorded.

There's a Jonathan Baham playing youth league baseball in Louisiana, but Lovely Cruise was recorded at least 15 years before he was born.

Keep looking, he's probably out there somewhere!

[Conolulu]

Ok...I met the guy that was with him when he presented the song to Jimmy....

This guy lives in Tennessee and was playing the guitar, and mandolin, on a porch in Cobbly Nob , TN....he saw the parrothead tag on my car..and asked had I ever heard the song, "Lovely Cruise"..

Told me this story about his friend that wrote it...
Said the guy told him they had an "appt " with Jimmy and dragged him along....
Apparently they were soooooooo not expected...

He said his friend started playing one song and was stopped after 3 lines.....

Next song...he made it thru a verse, and was stopped..

Then he played "Lovely Cruise" and played it all the way thru.....and asked to play it again......

He shared memories of the rest of the night.....and they were great!

Hmmmmm...I think I still have his card in my wallet....I'll look and see...


He does wood carvings and sits on the porch at the Cobbly Nob "Pizza, Video Rentals, Best hamburgers in the world and Wedding Packages upon request" store.....owned by Otis...great guy!


I found the number for Cobbly Nob Pizza on Google....Otis is the owner..you could probably call and ask him ....I'm pretty sure the guys name was Mike....the WoodCarver?

I bought a couple of his works and gave some as gifts...really talented guy!

[conched]

Conolulu, That is amazing and interesting as heck! Fun connection.

[East Texas Parrothead]

LC just popped up on the iPod ... great story ....

[Quiet and Shy]

Yes, wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

Did anyone actually record and release "Lovely Cruise" before Jimmy?

[SchoolGirlHeart]

There's a Jonathan Baham (note the slightly different spelling) just outside of Nashville....

[Conolulu]

There's a Jonathan Baham (note the slightly different spelling) just outside of Nashville....

Probably him...?

Mike said he still lived in Tennessee....

About the right age too...he is a little bit younger than Jimmy , but not much....also listed as living in Key Biscayne at one time...

[SchoolGirlHeart]

That didn't take long.....

So.... what say we focus on finding Osama bin Laden?

[Briana Baham]

He lives in Brentwood TN.

[nutmeg]

Briana!

So glad you joined us to fill us in!

Lovely Cruise is a favorite for a lot of us.

Soooo, are there other songs we should be looking for?

[Crazy Navy Flyer]

That song is on the CD I've made to play at my funeral. One of my favorite.

[KruzinParrots]

Great story Connie. Thanks for shaing!!

FINS UP ^

[piratenurse]

Hi, Vickie. I will never hear this song again without thinking of her. Thank you, that's all I have to say, no matter who wrote it. Raising a toast right now.

[Conolulu]

Now I want to know if the story is true.....

The wood carver guy was awesome...He sat on the porch and played the Mandolin, the guitar, etc...I think he had a dobro as well.....I was in that small town for 2 weeks, and stopped at Otis's place every day....I was even thinking of moving there, and Mike & I discussed me buying his place on the mountain....He didn't seem like the kind of guy to make something like that up....

And Welcome, Briana!

[sonofabeach]

That song is on the CD I've made to play at my funeral. One of my favorite.

Hey I've got to make me one of those cds.
in case of death break glass and play

[FinnsU.P.]

That's such a cool story, Conolulu - thanks for sharing!
I was playing cards with my kids last weekend when Lovely Cruise came on. My parrothead son mentioned to the others that mom wants this song played at her funeral. My oldest looked at me and said "Stop talking like your mother!" Guess they're not ready to hear my wishes yet!

[SeattleParrotHead]

That didn't take long.....
So.... what say we focus on finding Osama bin Laden?

He lives in Brentwood TN.

Then whyinthehell are we looking for him in Afghanistan?

[MyTyGy]

Jonathan Baham- 'A banjo hath man' - just sayin'. Also, check out 'too drunk to Karaoke' lyrics. Sounds like Toby sings '... to sing a Jon Baham's song'