Jimmy Buffett was in New York City on Thursday night where he performed at the Child Mind Institute charity gala, hosted by Matt Lauer, and received the 2011 Child Advocacy Award with his wife Jane.
In a video message Amy Poehler and Will Arnett toasted the Buffetts, who were receiving the Child Advocacy Award, saying they’d personally give them an award for “the best fake Southern accents for real New Yorkers, the best collection of flip flops for a CEO,” and for being “the coolest rich people on the planet.” Getting slightly more serious, they noted that “wealth is measured by kindness and generosity,” and on that score the Buffetts richly deserve the evening’s honor.
The event helped raise over $5 million for the Child Mind Institute, which helps children with mental-health issues.
Every now and again, guests wonder how a boldfaced name got set up with a certain institution, but that wasn’t that case here. Mr. Buffett, whose hits include “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” seems to have an incredibly pleasant emotional interior and very sound mental health. Also, he’s friends with Harold S. Koplewicz, the institute’s president.
“I’ve never had a stress-related problem the beach couldn’t solve,” Mr. Buffett said, true to form.
New York City residents in particular, he has noticed, seem sort of stressed-out a lot. “They need to remember they’re on an island,” the singer said. “There are beautiful beaches just over the bridge.”
Jimmy Buffett was in southern Mississippi on Monday morning where he donated a boat to his alma mater: University of Southern Mississippi.
The world famous singer-songwriter was on hand Monday morning at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs to help dedicate the new boat. The Miss Peetsy B was originally built as a navy boat in 1973 by Uniflite.
The 33-foot vessel will be used to ferry school children through the marshes of South Mississippi and on excursions to Deer Island. USM officials said the boat will also be available to the public for programs like Sea Camp, ecological tours of the Biloxi Bay, and trips to Deer Island.
The boat was donated to the university by Buffett. The man who invented the Margaritaville brand attended USM years ago.
“We’re all here because our mother valued education so much. It was sort of a building block in all of our lives,” said Lucy Buffett.
Uniflite originally built the 33-foot navy vessel in 1973. Jimmy Buffett’s longtime friend, Jimbo Meador, found the boat and shepherded the project.
“We’ve been working with them for a little over year to design and get a boat that meets our needs and allows us to do educational programs cost effectively,” said Chris Snyder, Director of the Marine Education Program.
The Buffetts first got involved with the GCRL following 2010’s oil spill.
“At the time, I was angry but I had to put that anger somewhere,” said Jimmy Buffett, who once considered being a marine biologist. After donating a boat to help the university with oil spill cleanup, the Buffetts spoke with USM President Martha Saunders to see how they could help local children understand the value of the Gulf Coast.
“When you ignite the minds of kids and show them the ocean for the first time, it’s a life-changing experience,” Buffett said.
Buffett graduated from USM in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He also helped out the university last year during the Gulf oil spill.
From left, Jimmy Buffett, Lucy Buffett and Laurie Buffett-McGuane christen the boat at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Monday, Dec. 4, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. (The Mississippi Press/Harlan Kirgan)
Jimmy Buffett was in New York City Thursday night for the 40th annual New York City Police Foundation charity gala:
On Thursday night, they were at the Waldorf-Astoria because the New York City Police Foundation held its 40th annual gala and honored Ron Perelman, in an event that raised nearly $2.3 million, according to an event representative.
An audience of 700 guests, including Michael Douglas, gaming-resort developer Richard T. Fields, Chevy Chase, Jimmy Buffett and Penny Marshall enjoyed a four-song Jon Bon Jovi concert.
But wait, wasn’t rock ‘n’ roll supposed to rebel against the law?
According to Mr. Buffett, that’s passé. “One of the great things in rock ‘n’ roll is you get a police escort,” he said. “There are many times I’ve been stopped by them, so it’s nice to be led by them.” He remembered once seeing a Grateful Dead sticker on an NYPD cop car and thinking to himself, “You know? It might be time to get over our ’60s mentality—the pigs versus hippies thing.”
In fact, what was apparent at the gala was that an awful lot of police officers have entertainment impulses, and an awful lot of entertainers have law-enforcement impulses.
“I’d want to be a helicopter pilot,” said Mr. Buffett.
Buffett with Kevin Jonas
Jon Bon Jovi, Buffett, Raymond Kelly, and Michael Douglas
On Thursday night, Jimmy Buffett, along with Mac McAnally and Robert Greenidge, played a benefit show for the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida:
“I kind of do this for a living, so I’ve seen a lot of crowds,” the singer/songwriter said, voice echoing through the National Naval Aviation Museum on Thursday night. “But I’ve got airplanes in attack mode aimed at me.”
Buffett grinned as his fans, gathered around the small stage, hooted their appreciation. He marveled at the jets once more.
“This is pretty cool.”
A typical understatement by the understated king of trop rock. But Thursday’s sold-out show was nothing short of paradise for Buffett’s loyal Parrot Heads.
Fans from all over the U.S. shelled out $500 each for the intimate, hour-long concert which raised about $250,000 for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
Next Thursday Jimmy Buffett, along with Mac McAnally and Robert Greenidge, will play a benefit show in Pensacola for the National Naval Aviation Museum.
In a phone interview, McAnally said the sold-out fundraising concert is something that he and Buffett are both excited about.
“We were just bragging about that show last night in Raleigh,” McAnally said. “Jimmy’s been a longtime supporter of the military and the Wounded Warrior Project, and so have I, drafting off him in the NASCAR sense. Both of our fathers were connected to the military. (Jimmy) is a sailor and a military historian, so the Navy and the air, it’s an interest to him. I hesitate to speak for him, but I know there’s a passion there. There’s nothing not to like.”
McAnally said the show will consist of he and Buffett on guitar, accompanied by steel drummer Robert Greenidge.
“It’s a reincarnation of what we did two years ago in Tahiti,” McAnally said. “We enjoy playing that configuration, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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McAnally said his relationship with Buffett on- and off-stage is something that is still enjoyable and exciting, all these years on.
“We are truly old, good friends, and that’s never a bad thing,” McAnally said. “He’s been a supporter of what I do from the very beginning. He sent me a note after my first record came out (in 1977), and it said, ‘we’re both from Mississippi and both songwriters and we’re going to be friends.’ I was a fan before I met him, and I am now. I’m honored to get to stand beside him and play. I was and am sort of bashful. I was from the — as he says — ‘not fun’ part of Mississippi. He was from the fun part near the water, and is less bashful. I was always more inclined to stand to the side. Maybe I’m of more use to him there; I try to be, anyway.”
A caller to WDOK in Cleveland, Ohio told a story recently of Jimmy Buffett funding a trip to the Gulf Coast for a group of middle schoolers.
A Dayton, OH teacher wrote to Jimmy hoping to get a couple of t-shirts to raffle off and raise money for a field trip to an aquarium in Kentucky. Jimmy got in touch with the teacher and paid for the group to travel by bus to Gulf Shores, and funded their condos, meals, and excursions.
The Florida resolution honoring Jimmy Buffett we told you about yesterday was voted on and passed today. That officially makes Saturday, April 16th “Jimmy Buffett Day” in the state of Florida!
Radio Margaritaville has brought to attention a Florida congressman’s efforts to honor Jimmy Buffett:
Rep. Rick Kriseman, a 3rd term Democrat from Florida 53rd District has introduced Florida House of Representatives HR 9063, A resolution recognizing April 16, 2011, as “Jimmy Buffett Day” in Florida. First reading was on Mon. 4/4, and is pending a vote.
You can read the full text of HR 9063 here. Below is a portion of the resolution:
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida:
That April 16, 2011, is recognized as “Jimmy Buffett Day” in Florida in appreciation of his charitable efforts, support of the environment, and positive economic impact in the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be 54 presented to Jimmy Buffett as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.
The resolution mentions many of Buffett’s charitable endeavors, including the Save the Manatees Club, benefit concerts for hurricane victims and the Gulf Coast, plus his business contributions to the state, including employing 200 people at the Margaritaville Beach Hotel and his mark on Key West.
Rep. Kriseman proved his parrothead chops at a 2010 campaign fundraiser where he sang “The Great Filling State Holdup:
Thirty years after starting the Save the Manatees Club in Florida with former Senator and Governor Bob Graham, Jimmy Buffett has reversed his position on manatees:
The Gulf Coast’s favorite son Jimmy Buffett may be a favorite no more after he announced Thursday that he no longer believes in the plight of the Florida manatee.
“The Florida manatee population is at record levels,” Buffett said in a phone interview from his home on St. Bart’s. “They are no longer endangered, and in fact they are becoming so numerous that they are now a nuisance to Florida boaters and fishermen.”
The “Margaritaville” crooner is an avid boater and angler and spends a considerable of time in Florida waters.
Tom Manning of the US Fish and Wildlife Service disputes Buffett’s claims. “While it’s true that the West Indian Manatee is no longer classified as endangered, it’s still considered threatened. That means that the species is still considered very vulnerable to endangerment.”
Buffett’s partner in forming the club back in 1981, Senator Bob Graham, is shocked by the sudden change in Buffett’s position on manatees:
“Jimmy and I have worked together for thirty years on this,” former Senator Bob Graham said. “I am shocked and saddened that he would abandon our work and the work of many others just as the manatee population begins to recover. Maybe he hit his head a little harder than he thought down in Australia.”
Update – Yes this was indeed an April Fools joke . Jimmy is just as committed as ever to saving the manatees. Learn how you can help at savethemanatee.org
Jimmy Buffett was in New York City on Thursday night where he performed at the Child Mind Institute charity gala, hosted by Matt Lauer, and received the 2011 Child Advocacy Award with his wife Jane.
Jimmy Buffett was in southern Mississippi on Monday morning where he 
Jimmy Buffett’s Gulf Coast concert that was broadcast live on CMT is up for a VH1 Do Something Award.
On Thursday night, Jimmy Buffett, along with Mac McAnally and Robert Greenidge, 
Next Thursday Jimmy Buffett, along with Mac McAnally and Robert Greenidge, will play a benefit show in Pensacola for the National Naval Aviation Museum.
A caller to WDOK in Cleveland, Ohio told a story recently of Jimmy Buffett funding a trip to the Gulf Coast for a group of middle schoolers.
Radio Margaritaville has 
Thirty years after starting the 
. Jimmy is just as committed as ever to saving the manatees. Learn how you can help at 
