Buffett Wields 'License To Chill'

[Bob Roberts]

I got this off of the Billboard.com website:

Fresh off a country chart-topping duet with Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett teams with Kenny Chesney for "License To Chill," the title cut of the island-flavored folk rocker's next studio album. The track does indeed have a modern country flavor, though with its prominent guitars and surprisingly driving beat, it sports little similarity to Buffett's earlier country material like "Come Monday."

Originally titled "Conchy Tonk," the new set likely will not be released until the summer via Buffett's Mailboat label. In addition to Chesney, the album is rumored to sport a slew of guest stars, including Jackson, Toby Keith, George Strait and Martina McBride, plus a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Scarlet Begonias."

The title track has already been targeted for a promotional tie-in with Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue, which hits stores next week. The magazine's models will be featured in the accompanying video, a DVD of which will be packaged in 6 million copies of the swimsuit edition.

"License To Chill" wil be the follow-up to 2002's "Far Side of the World," which debuted at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 379,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band wrapped up their 2003-2004 Tiki Time Tour last Friday (Jan. 30) in Honolulu.


-- Jeff Vrabel, Chicago