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In a tune on the Gonzo Stew CD called "The Other Jerrry Jeff", Scamp pokes fun at his image as redneck outlaw:

"Two Jerry Jeff's are in this world, both using one ID
The other guy ain't got an idea, how hard being me can be"

I wonder if there are two Jimmy's- the early JB post High Cumberland Jubilee was a wiseass/good ole boy Southerner. He liked his drugs as well as his drinking. God's Own Drunk best typifies this JB. This Jimmy had little to risk

When I look at the older/wiser/richer Jimmy I see an artist struggling to keep his fanbase which to a great degree is SYKBH, while he attempts to stretch beyond his typecast. This Jimmy has hundreds of millions at risk.

I'm trying not to make a judgment but his appearance on Ellen singing Margaritaville 27 years after it's birth is telling. Don't get me wrong I love LTC and will be there to see the old man whenever I can for those songs/moments when he does breakout.

I think this is a pretty fair assessment of where JB stands right now. But I wouldn't really say he is struggling to hang on to his fan base from a monetary perspective, seeing as he has found this whole new fan base (country) that is willing to dish out the money. I really don't know how much it matters to if he keeps his old fans around.

Very good description. I also wouldnt say he is struggling to keep his fans, but I understand what you mean. Jimmy is trying for himself personally to stretch as an artist, but doesn't want to permanently change what has worked for him for so long.

As for the rest of Jimmy's career I think we will continute to see many more live albums released along with DVD's. I think we will see one more album like the old Jimmy, maybe a mix of FSOTW and country. I maybe see him doing another album, and finally a book to sum of his whole career. That being said I think we got Jimmy for about another 5-6 years.

Something tells me that even in the old days, Jimmy still wanted what he has now. Millions of fans, lots of money, and so on. His image was different in a way but he was still striving for the same thing. Ultimately I think the only thing that has changed is his notoriety.

bananaman wrote:Something tells me that even in the old days, Jimmy still wanted what he has now. Millions of fans, lots of money, and so on. His image was different in a way but he was still striving for the same thing. Ultimately I think the only thing that has changed is his notoriety.

I think that you have hit the nail on the head. I have heard and read about the old days and how he had a great business sense and work ethic from day 1. He knew exactaly where he wanted to be. The image sometimes over shadows this a bit.

mikemathews wrote:

bananaman wrote:Something tells me that even in the old days, Jimmy still wanted what he has now. Millions of fans, lots of money, and so on. His image was different in a way but he was still striving for the same thing. Ultimately I think the only thing that has changed is his notoriety.

I think that you have hit the nail on the head. I have heard and read about the old days and how he had a great business sense and work ethic from day 1. He knew exactaly where he wanted to be. The image sometimes over shadows this a bit.

Actually, I think the business sense came from day 2. As I recall (from APLA50, I think) he talks about the first time he got some airplay in Texas and took a band there to tour and promptly went broke. That's where he learned the cash flow lesson and has managed things quite well since. Unlike some, he did a very good job of learning from his mistake.

I agree that the Jimmy of today is different from the "hungry" musician of the early 70s, but money, success, etc. will change anyone -- including their creative spirit. However, I think he's done a pretty good job of not only recognizing this, but balancing it all, as well.

I love the song 2 Jerry Jeffs. JJW is a great story teller through songs. The song 'Cowboy Boots, Bathing Suits' is one of my favorites. As much as I love Jimmy Buffet(I'm the Vice President of our Parrothead Club), I think Jerry Jeff is a better story teller. Jimmy's music is more fun, but JJW is a better lyricist. Hope I don't start a controversy by my statement. I do and always will loved Jimmy Buffett. I have just recently discovered Jerry Jeff. Jerry Jeff's cd 'Cowboy Boots, Bathing Suits' is a great starter cd. I would also reccomend Gonzo Stew, and Scamp. I have a cd of Jerry Jeff's birthday bash when him and Jimmy swapped stories, and sang together. It's alot of fun to hear them reminece about their younger days.
Later,
Phin

I've talked to a lot of people that say they started out as Jerry Jeff fans only to discover their favorite songs by him were actually written by Guy Clark.

Jahfin

I found JJW thru JB. I took a look at Guy by virtue of the tunes of his JJW covers. I've got to say IMHO Guy is a better songwriter than singer. Iprefer JJW's covers of his tunes than his originals. I also prefer all of JB's covers of Steve Goodman's tunes to Steve's. Go figure.

Phinhead, we need to have a beer together.

Goodman wrote:Jahfin

I found JJW thru JB. I took a look at Guy by virtue of the tunes of his JJW covers. I've got to say IMHO Guy is a better songwriter than singer. Iprefer JJW's covers of his tunes than his originals. I also prefer all of JB's covers of Steve Goodman's tunes to Steve's. Go figure.

Phinhead, we need to have a beer together.

I was just the opposite - found JB thru JJW. But Like you I like the covers better.

Goodman wrote:Jahfin

I found JJW thru JB. I took a look at Guy by virtue of the tunes of his JJW covers. I've got to say IMHO Guy is a better songwriter than singer. Iprefer JJW's covers of his tunes than his originals. I also prefer all of JB's covers of Steve Goodman's tunes to Steve's. Go figure.

Phinhead, we need to have a beer together.

I discovered Steve Goodman through Buffett, Guy Clark through an older brother. I like Steve's songs on their own but I also like what Buffett and Prine bring to them. I prefer Guy's songs to Jerry Jeff's covers of them. I do like the spin Jerry Jeff puts on his covers of Guy's songs though. He never really seems to do a straight reading of them so they compliment Guy's originals well, such as speeding up "L.A. Freeway" and "Boats to Build".

Goodman wrote:Jahfin


Phinhead, we need to have a beer together.

Anytime-I love beer. I'll drink a beer over there, I'll drink a beer over here. I'll drink all kinds of beer without any fear. Don't ask where that rhyme came from. I must be sober again. I'll have to work on that problem later today.
Phin

Jahfin wrote:I've talked to a lot of people that say they started out as Jerry Jeff fans only to discover their favorite songs by him were actually written by Guy Clark.

Let me see if I can get my progression right. For me, Jerry Jeff led to Guy Clark led to John Prine led to Steve Goodman led to Jimmy Buffett. All this happened in the span of about 6 months in 1974.

total b.s. you guys are a bunch of buffett bashers

mandegi wrote:total b.s. you guys are a bunch of buffett bashers

Speaking just for myself here but I don't see anywhere in this thread where I've bashed Buffett. I may favor his early stuff over the majority of his current material but I'm most definitely a fan.

mandegi wrote:total b.s. you guys are a bunch of buffett bashers

Who are you?? Where did you come from?? Did you just come off your meds??

Did you ever bother to get to know anyone around here before making such an assinine statement??

so no one was bashing buffett? well i love buffett and i don't care if he makes polka for the next 40 years i'm down with it.

Jahfin wrote:I've talked to a lot of people that say they started out as Jerry Jeff fans only to discover their favorite songs by him were actually written by Guy Clark.

I kind of discovered Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker at the same time. I think Guy is the better songwriter, but JJW is able to take a Guy Clark song and make it his own. A great singer/songwriter is a great singer/songwriter. Jimmy Buffett, Guy Clark, and Jerry Jeff Walker will always be number 1 in my book. In my opinion though, the original great storyteller was Townes Van Zandt...just take a listen to Rex's Blues or Pancho and Lefty.

mandegi wrote:so no one was bashing buffett? well i love buffett and i don't care if he makes polka for the next 40 years i'm down with it.

OK, good for you. The only point that was being made from Goodman was that Buffett has strayed a little from his non-mainstream roots. We all still love Jimmy Buffett (notice how I capitalize the "B" in his name ) Some of just remember the good old days when it wasn't about frozen shrimp, Margaritaville/CIP restaurants, and tequila but about the music. With that being said, there isn't a one of us who wouldn't trade shoes with Jimmy and his success. I respect Jimmy and consider him to be a very wise business man who can happen to sing and bring a lot of joy into many people's lives. I hope this helps you realize that we are not "Buffett Basher."

P.S. I respect him enough to capitalize the "B" in his name every time I mention it.....boy am I mature

jbfinscj wrote:

mandegi wrote:so no one was bashing buffett? well i love buffett and i don't care if he makes polka for the next 40 years i'm down with it.

OK, good for you. The only point that was being made from Goodman was that Buffett has strayed a little from his non-mainstream roots. We all still love Jimmy Buffett (notice how I capitalize the "B" in his name ) Some of just remember the good old days when it wasn't about frozen shrimp, Margaritaville/CIP restaurants, and tequila but about the music. With that being said, there isn't a one of us who wouldn't trade shoes with Jimmy and his success. I respect Jimmy and consider him to be a very wise business man who can happen to sing and bring a lot of joy into many people's lives. I hope this helps you realize that we are not "Buffett Basher."

P.S. I respect him enough to capitalize the "B" in his name every time I mention it.....boy am I mature

I am basically still a newbie here, however, I don't really care about Mr Buffett's financial interests, be it shrimp, restaurants, tequila,etc. All I care about is his music. I don't care about his business smarts. That is none of my business. I like what I like. I have only been listening to Mr. B's music for about 3years, even though I am only afew years younger than Mr. B, and I don't understand all this comparising. This is liike comparing apples to oranges. Everybody's music is different, they have their own style, and if they happen tohave the same style, good. Flattery is the greatest form of praise That asside, I don;t know who Jerry Jeff Walker( I have read so many things about hism)is and I would like to know what CD of his that I should get first to find out what it is all about. Also, don't know who Guy Clark is. Can someone polease hep me out here?