Jimmy taking the summer off?

[Indiana Jolly Mon]

The great thing is that unlike most athletes that say they are retiring to spend time with their family, Jimmy actually will. Do I wish he plays somewhere I get to see him, sure. But him putting his kids first shows the man he really is. Hope he has a blast.
Then plays alpine and chicago

[alpomatic]

We were fortunate enough to see him twice last year in Vegas and Pittsburgh. Although I will probably miss him this year, I think it is great he is putting his kids first. I will just have to listen to him on Radio Margaritaville.

[Jahfin]

I think when and if it reaches that stage, satisfying his hordes of fans will most likely be the last thing on Buffett's mind. At this stage most everyone who is a fan has had ample opportunity to see him. By then I think it will be more about Buffett satisfying himself by being able to play whenever and wherever he wants to. It will just be a matter of being in the right place at the right time if you want to see him. I know that has happened to me a couple of times with a band I never thought I'd see again. Whiskeytown broke up in 2000 but has since played two reunion gigs when Ryan Adams returned home to Raleigh. Both times I just so happened to be at one of his old favorite haunts when he assembled his old bandmates for an off the cuff jam. No amount of planning could have ever gone into that.

see the first statement.. I can easily write off "I didn't get to see him in St. Bart's/Bermuda/whatever" as "I don't hang out there, and it is even harder to get there than it would be for someone from Opheim, MT to get to Charlotte, NC". The odds of being in the right place, at the right time, are astronomical.

And as for the argument "anyone who wanted to see him has had ample opportunity"... Let's just say that that statement is a bit on the broad side too.

Let's put it this way, how many times have you seen Buffett over the years? Speaking just for myself, I've seen him plenty of times and would love to see him again but I'm also perfectly content to see him ride off into the sunset. It's not as though he hasn't worked his ass off all of these years and doesn't deserve some time to devote to himself and his family.

Post 2002? 6 times. Including one impromptu show. And all but one of those shows required at least a two hour roadtrip. (and for the record, I am not griping about the distance travelled to see him. I made each of the runs with enthusiasm, and had hellaciously-good times.)

from 1973 to 2002? none. Comes from living out in the middle of nowhere at least 600 miles from the nearest venue he'd play even on the alternate-year schedule (Denver/MSP/Seattle/Portland). And before you toss out the "he plays Vegas pretty regularly", remember that even club seats for the Vegas shows are north of a C-note.

If he were to show up in Livingston and play a show in one of the bars downtown on a visit to see his sister, that would be incredible. I wouldn't bet your life on it happening tho, so folks in that stretch from the Cascades to the Red River, south to I-50, are probably not going to get to see an impromptu show, meaning they get shut out entirely

Then I'd say consider yourself lucky that you've ever seen him at all (not to mention the impromptu show which is an extremely rare opportunity) because plenty of his fans have never even known that pleasure and may never know it.

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

[balcony girls]

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

I'll be the first on my feet to give him a heart-felt standing ovation . . ! !

[buffettbride]

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

I'll be the first on my feet to give him a heart-felt standing ovation . . ! !

I'd probably go have some cheese.

[PARROT HEAD MIKE]

Don't panic.....This usually means that he takes July & August off......which means....ummm (jumping up and down) possibility of Jimmy at Great Woods for Labor Day!!!!

I would love to think that too but The TPC of Boston just signed a 5 year deal to keep the golf tournament and that probably means GW will be used as a parking lot. They would be crazy not no they prob charge 20 a car for 6 days thats a bunch of $$$$. If I'm not mistaken this is a Jones Beach year (even years) and in 04 he played Jones Beach on Labor Day weekend 9/04 then Boston on 9/10 & 9/12. That would be just fine with me, I would get to spend another Labor Day Weekend at Jones Beach and play golf at Beth Page Black.

[RinglingRingling]

I think when and if it reaches that stage, satisfying his hordes of fans will most likely be the last thing on Buffett's mind. At this stage most everyone who is a fan has had ample opportunity to see him. By then I think it will be more about Buffett satisfying himself by being able to play whenever and wherever he wants to. It will just be a matter of being in the right place at the right time if you want to see him. I know that has happened to me a couple of times with a band I never thought I'd see again. Whiskeytown broke up in 2000 but has since played two reunion gigs when Ryan Adams returned home to Raleigh. Both times I just so happened to be at one of his old favorite haunts when he assembled his old bandmates for an off the cuff jam. No amount of planning could have ever gone into that.

see the first statement.. I can easily write off "I didn't get to see him in St. Bart's/Bermuda/whatever" as "I don't hang out there, and it is even harder to get there than it would be for someone from Opheim, MT to get to Charlotte, NC". The odds of being in the right place, at the right time, are astronomical.

And as for the argument "anyone who wanted to see him has had ample opportunity"... Let's just say that that statement is a bit on the broad side too.

Let's put it this way, how many times have you seen Buffett over the years? Speaking just for myself, I've seen him plenty of times and would love to see him again but I'm also perfectly content to see him ride off into the sunset. It's not as though he hasn't worked his ass off all of these years and doesn't deserve some time to devote to himself and his family.

Post 2002? 6 times. Including one impromptu show. And all but one of those shows required at least a two hour roadtrip. (and for the record, I am not griping about the distance travelled to see him. I made each of the runs with enthusiasm, and had hellaciously-good times.)

from 1973 to 2002? none. Comes from living out in the middle of nowhere at least 600 miles from the nearest venue he'd play even on the alternate-year schedule (Denver/MSP/Seattle/Portland). And before you toss out the "he plays Vegas pretty regularly", remember that even club seats for the Vegas shows are north of a C-note.

If he were to show up in Livingston and play a show in one of the bars downtown on a visit to see his sister, that would be incredible. I wouldn't bet your life on it happening tho, so folks in that stretch from the Cascades to the Red River, south to I-50, are probably not going to get to see an impromptu show, meaning they get shut out entirely

Then I'd say consider yourself lucky that you've ever seen him at all (not to mention the impromptu show which is an extremely rare opportunity) because plenty of his fans have never even known that pleasure and may never know it.

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

I do. It took moving 1800 miles to pull off even one. That isn't something everyone can do.

[Cubbie Bear]

He has given me +30 great years. It will be what it will be. Anything we get from here on out is BONUS time. My Mom and Dad listen to Geln Miller every day, he went down in the English Channel in 1944. I think we can survive too

[Jahfin]

I think when and if it reaches that stage, satisfying his hordes of fans will most likely be the last thing on Buffett's mind. At this stage most everyone who is a fan has had ample opportunity to see him. By then I think it will be more about Buffett satisfying himself by being able to play whenever and wherever he wants to. It will just be a matter of being in the right place at the right time if you want to see him. I know that has happened to me a couple of times with a band I never thought I'd see again. Whiskeytown broke up in 2000 but has since played two reunion gigs when Ryan Adams returned home to Raleigh. Both times I just so happened to be at one of his old favorite haunts when he assembled his old bandmates for an off the cuff jam. No amount of planning could have ever gone into that.

see the first statement.. I can easily write off "I didn't get to see him in St. Bart's/Bermuda/whatever" as "I don't hang out there, and it is even harder to get there than it would be for someone from Opheim, MT to get to Charlotte, NC". The odds of being in the right place, at the right time, are astronomical.

And as for the argument "anyone who wanted to see him has had ample opportunity"... Let's just say that that statement is a bit on the broad side too.

Let's put it this way, how many times have you seen Buffett over the years? Speaking just for myself, I've seen him plenty of times and would love to see him again but I'm also perfectly content to see him ride off into the sunset. It's not as though he hasn't worked his ass off all of these years and doesn't deserve some time to devote to himself and his family.

Post 2002? 6 times. Including one impromptu show. And all but one of those shows required at least a two hour roadtrip. (and for the record, I am not griping about the distance travelled to see him. I made each of the runs with enthusiasm, and had hellaciously-good times.)

from 1973 to 2002? none. Comes from living out in the middle of nowhere at least 600 miles from the nearest venue he'd play even on the alternate-year schedule (Denver/MSP/Seattle/Portland). And before you toss out the "he plays Vegas pretty regularly", remember that even club seats for the Vegas shows are north of a C-note.

If he were to show up in Livingston and play a show in one of the bars downtown on a visit to see his sister, that would be incredible. I wouldn't bet your life on it happening tho, so folks in that stretch from the Cascades to the Red River, south to I-50, are probably not going to get to see an impromptu show, meaning they get shut out entirely

Then I'd say consider yourself lucky that you've ever seen him at all (not to mention the impromptu show which is an extremely rare opportunity) because plenty of his fans have never even known that pleasure and may never know it.

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

I do. It took moving 1800 miles to pull off even one. That isn't something everyone can do.

Well, there's not a lot of people out there that would move just so they could have that rare opportunity to see Buffett. As much as I love his music (and that of plenty of other artists) I know it's not something I would do. About the only chance I would have to do something like that is if (and when) he plays Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach. Considering the ticket prices for his Cheeseburger in Paradise grand opening in Asheville, I'd probably pass it by based on just that alone. As a review in No Depression magazine said: Jimmy Buffett for $1,000 a ticket or Patterson Hood (who was playing just up the street at the Town Pump) for $5? I'd be at the Patterson show with bells on and that's meant as no offense whatsover to Buffett but it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever pay those kind of prices to see anybody.

[RinglingRingling]

see the first statement.. I can easily write off "I didn't get to see him in St. Bart's/Bermuda/whatever" as "I don't hang out there, and it is even harder to get there than it would be for someone from Opheim, MT to get to Charlotte, NC". The odds of being in the right place, at the right time, are astronomical.

And as for the argument "anyone who wanted to see him has had ample opportunity"... Let's just say that that statement is a bit on the broad side too.

Let's put it this way, how many times have you seen Buffett over the years? Speaking just for myself, I've seen him plenty of times and would love to see him again but I'm also perfectly content to see him ride off into the sunset. It's not as though he hasn't worked his ass off all of these years and doesn't deserve some time to devote to himself and his family.

Post 2002? 6 times. Including one impromptu show. And all but one of those shows required at least a two hour roadtrip. (and for the record, I am not griping about the distance travelled to see him. I made each of the runs with enthusiasm, and had hellaciously-good times.)

from 1973 to 2002? none. Comes from living out in the middle of nowhere at least 600 miles from the nearest venue he'd play even on the alternate-year schedule (Denver/MSP/Seattle/Portland). And before you toss out the "he plays Vegas pretty regularly", remember that even club seats for the Vegas shows are north of a C-note.

If he were to show up in Livingston and play a show in one of the bars downtown on a visit to see his sister, that would be incredible. I wouldn't bet your life on it happening tho, so folks in that stretch from the Cascades to the Red River, south to I-50, are probably not going to get to see an impromptu show, meaning they get shut out entirely

Then I'd say consider yourself lucky that you've ever seen him at all (not to mention the impromptu show which is an extremely rare opportunity) because plenty of his fans have never even known that pleasure and may never know it.

If people are freaking out this bad (and that is not directed at you, believe me) I wonder what they will do when he announces his permanent retirement.

I do. It took moving 1800 miles to pull off even one. That isn't something everyone can do.

Well, there's not a lot of people out there that would move just so they could have that rare opportunity to see Buffett. As much as I love his music (and that of plenty of other artists) I know it's not something I would do. About the only chance I would have to do something like that is if (and when) he plays Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach. Considering the ticket prices for his Cheeseburger in Paradise grand opening in Asheville, I'd probably pass it by based on just that alone. As a review in No Depression magazine said: Jimmy Buffett for $1,000 a ticket or Patterson Hood (who was playing just up the street at the Town Pump) for $5? I'd be at the Patterson show with bells on and that's meant as no offense whatsover to Buffett but it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever pay those kind of prices to see anybody.

The move was necessary, the Buffett concerts were a pleasant side-effect. By leaving the part of the country known as "The Big Empty", you get better wages and better concert opportunities.

[tryin' to reason]

I'd like to see him skip the traditional tour stops (you know who you are) and go to places he hasn't played in a few years. Then I'd just sit back and enjoy all the bitching and moaning you know we'll be hearing.

You mean he WON"T be doing 3 Great Woods shows this year????
Not even on Labor Day??
We N.E. phans are ENTITLED to our GW's shows...when we want 'em!

Next thing you know, he'll cancel Boise too!

And another thing....I heard Jimmy was only doing OPERA from here on out...

[dutchmen65]

The problem someone said earlier, those who are his fans have had ample time to see him...
Not really my girlfriend first became a fan last september, and plenty of friends have just recently become fans.
I understand that Jimmy has to do with what is in his best interest, but the concerts are something that I look forward to every year. The feelings and fun of a a Buffett concert will never be duplicated, so the thought of the never happening again is somewhat disappointing.
He has definately worked to get where he is, and deserve all that he has. Just kind of a bummer.

[CT_Pats_Phan]

The problem someone said earlier, those who are his fans have had ample time to see him...

I've seen plenty of shows, but my Parakeets (7 and 5) love his music and went to their first show last year. I guess I'm being selfish, but I'd like to be able to bring them to a few others before he sails into the sunset for the same reason that he'd probably like to scale back.

[SMLCHNG]

I've seen plenty of shows, but my Parakeets (7 and 5) love his music and went to their first show last year. I guess I'm being selfish, but I'd like to be able to bring them to a few others before he sails into the sunset for the same reason that he'd probably like to scale back.

And I find it so very sweet that you would like your keets to see him, as well.


Many people can relate your feelings from the 1900's to now. All parents want to pass along the music they love and have strong feelings for, to their children. Sometimes all they can do is share recordings, not a live show.

[davesnik]

I've seen plenty of shows, but my Parakeets (7 and 5) love his music and went to their first show last year. I guess I'm being selfish, but I'd like to be able to bring them to a few others before he sails into the sunset for the same reason that he'd probably like to scale back.

And I find it so very sweet that you would like your keets to see him, as well.


Many people can relate your feelings from the 1900's to now. All parents want to pass along the music they love and have strong feelings for, to their children. Sometimes all they can do is share recordings, not a live show.

My keet is almost 4 and I hope to take him to a show or two or ten.........

[ParrotHeadDeb]

I've seen plenty of shows, but my Parakeets (7 and 5) love his music and went to their first show last year. I guess I'm being selfish, but I'd like to be able to bring them to a few others before he sails into the sunset for the same reason that he'd probably like to scale back.

And I find it so very sweet that you would like your keets to see him, as well.


Many people can relate your feelings from the 1900's to now. All parents want to pass along the music they love and have strong feelings for, to their children. Sometimes all they can do is share recordings, not a live show.

My keet is almost 4 and I hope to take him to a show or two or ten.........

My keets are the ones that got me into Jimmy in the first place! Their dad belonged to a PH club & when they were in their teens they came home from his house with a CD of Jimmy's back in the late 90's. I had the yellow album & Fruitcakes (My husband & I belonged to a record club & he ordered them just because.)..and I liked the songs, but didnt really get into Jimmy till the boys started singing his songs over & over at home! In 2003 I took them and my neice (ages 16-20) to the Orlando show & we had a ball!! When the kids go to the beach here in FL they always have Jimmy playing! And a lot of their friends listen to him as well.The point of this long paragraph is...ISNT IT GREAT THAT JIMMY'S MUSIC TRANSCENDS AGE!!! I hope you're able to take your keet to more shows! But I also completely understand Jimmy's decision to scale back a little.

[nutmeg]

I'd like to see him skip the traditional tour stops (you know who you are) and go to places he hasn't played in a few years. Then I'd just sit back and enjoy all the bitching and moaning you know we'll be hearing.

You mean like he could play Michigan

[ToplessRideFL]

He has given me +30 great years. It will be what it will be. Anything we get from here on out is BONUS time.

Nicely put Cubster......

[bixxx]

we've seem him roughly 50 times in many venues last 24 years obviously we would miss him if he doesnt come this year to NE, but we would find something else to do, someone else to spend our fun ticket money on. I am sure it is quite the headache every year to plan and play those tours that require coordinating the band and stage crew etc.. Personally the next time I see him i would like to be in a small bar where he walks in and plays an hour acoustic Jimmy if you are reading we will be in St Bart's next new years week, stop by

[On The Edge]

A few years back he mentioned that he would begin scaling back his tours little by little until eventually he would no longer be touring. Even then he'd find time to make impromptu appearances around the globe. I believe this part of his life has already begun. As hard as the man has worked all of his life and for all of tours he's done nearly every year I don't mind him taking a more laid back approach to touring. Unfortunately some folks just won't see it that way and will want to squeeze every last drop of blood from the stone. I haven't seen him perform in over ten years and I'm perfectly content with that. I do hope to see him play again and think these next few years will probably be the perfect opportunity when he seems to be touring more for the fun of it than out of some obligation to tour just because he has a new album out.

I agree with you there, Jah....is there a running tally out there of how many shows that he's put on over the years, not including the impromptu appearances or charity events, etc...?

Go ahead and call me selfish but:

The problem with the "impromptu shows" is that the odds of him doing one anywhere nearby are slim, because unless you live in FL/NY/near an M'ville, he doesn't really seem to get out that much unless it is the tour caravan route. Too, while 4-5 weeks announcement/leadtime is good for airline tickets, shows like the Aspen show being announced a week ahead severely cut into a person's chances to see him unless you have your own plane, or want to spend more than $500 for the plane ticket.

In some ways, I'd rather he just call it a day and walk off the stage than pull the "I'll play when and where I want" because I see a lot more folks getting shut out than is now the case.

Come on Jimmy, let us all bow down to the request of the Insanely Selfish. Cause we all know he is the only one that counts, and the only one allowed to have an opinion. OK then, turn out the lights, the party is over, hang it up, cause this guy won't go to an "impromtu" show, and if he can't be there, no one should. Sounds good to me, how about you Jimmy?