Harmonica

[FFishstick]

I think Martin Buffalo would fit into the band just fine.

Norton's brother?

My mistake, fixed now

[Jahfin]

I'd take anyone because after Jimmy Buffett is the headliner and before I knew the band he was the only one that mattered to me..
I've heard people say that Jimmy does not want to replace Fingers out fo respect for him and his talent.
I'd hate to think that if Robert left there'd be no more steel drums out of respect for him.
As bad as it sounds the rest are expendable. The only one that matter is Jimmy. I don't care if a total no name was playing as long as he is good.

I'd have to respectively disagree and say I don't think Utley is expendable. Also, he is the only original Coral Reefer and I imagine he's still in the band after all of these years for good reason.

As for the Fingers question, I have no idea if he'll ever come back (or be invited back, whatever the case may be) but if he doesn't, those are some mighty big shoes to fill. I think Norton Buffalo is an excellent suggestion, plus, I think he's done some session work with Buffett in the past so he wouldn't be completely out of place in the Coral Reefer Band.

OMG I just realized I called him Martin instead of Norton Buffalo. Thanks for not ripping my head off. I have heard that he has done work with Buffett but can't find any liner notes confirming it. Norton did do a lot of work and toured with Steve Miller Band, and his style would really blend well with the Reefers.

I don't have my vinyl handy but I'm almost certain he appears on Havana Daydreamin'. I think I first heard of him through his work with Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen.

There's also the guy from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers who has to be one of the best harp players I've ever heard.

[mikess]

What about Elwood?

[HsvParrothead]

Is Blues Traveler still around? John Popper would be great to see join the Reefers..even if just for one tour.

Yes they are... they usually swing through my town every two years to play a pretty large music festival weekend jam sorta thing... their still truckin... and put on a hell of a live performance...

the guys in the band seem very grounded as well... dont know bout Popper... he stays on the bus with his girlfriend after shows but the rest are cool

[Craiger]

John Popper's style is all wrong for the Buffett.

I was just thinking that since he's obviously a skilled player, he'd be able to shift gears pretty easily to suit different styles. I know the rapid-fire bluesy stuff is his trademark sound, but I figure he could take it down a few notches for Buffett's tunes without breaking a sweat.