VENICE — The death of Jimmy Buffett on Sept. 1 of last year was a gut punch for the music legend’s legion of fans.
His beloved Parrotheads.
News like this was not supposed to come from Margaritaville, where the biggest problem is a lost shaker of salt.
Instead, the sad news came from Buffett’s home in Sag Harbor, New York.
A group of local musicians and music lovers — Parrotheads all — have organized a tribute concert in Buffett’s honor on Aug. 31 at Hotel Venezia in Venice.
The “Fins Up Forever — Jimmy Buffett Tribute” show will celebrate his musical legacy and the unique traditions that grew from his nearly 50 years of touring and playing concerts.
The show is one of many that will be held worldwide to celebrate his impact on his fans’ lives.
Fins Up Forever organizer Denise Fox, a Realtor with RE/MAX and The Fox Team, who is a member of the Parrothead club in Sarasota, says the musicians will all have good stories to tell.
The three most heralded musicians are Nick and Lucy DiBlasio from the band Lefty Lucy (Siesta Key) and Sunny Jim White (Osprey).
“They are all veteran, award-winning musicians in the industry,” Fox said. “They’ve come together, along with some other talented musicians (Jax Bowers, Klee Lile and Aloha Steve) to form the band Gypsies in Paradise to create this very special show.”
The event will double as a fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit Reef Relief, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the coral reef ecosystem. For additional information, visit reefrelief.org.
“Since we’re all from Southwest Florida, it’s a cause that speaks near and dear to our hearts,” Fox said. “It was one of Jimmy’s favorite charities as well.”
One of the conversations that likely will come up at the tribute show is where Parrotheads were when they heard Buffett had died.
“I don’t think really anybody knew” he was sick, Fox said. “I am of the understanding that a lot of his bandmates did not know how serious it was.”
Fox woke up to the sad news as relayed by a friend. She posted about it on Facebook.
“I was devastated,” she said. “Throughout the day, me, Nick, Lucy, Sunny Jim. We were all trading texts. All of our other friends, they know how big of Parrotheads we are, so we were getting text messages all throughout the day.
“Jimmy Buffett was literally the soundtrack of our lives,” she said. “We held ‘Change You Latitude’ client parties. We spent a lifetime tailgating. I know I, myself, saw him 33 times in concert.
“By 4 o’clock I had put together a toast to Jimmy, as did a lot of Parrotheads across the nation.
“We did a ‘5 o’clock somewhere’ toast, which was pretty neat. I had everybody I could rally in my house, making Margaritas and eating cheeseburgers in paradise.”
Naturally, they made the burgers as Buffett would, with lettuce, tomato and Heinz 57.
The hotel has a special rate for patrons who call and identify as being with the “Fins Up Forever” group. For more information about the hotel, call 941-308-7700.
Food and cocktails will be available for purchase. Dinner reservations may be made at the Venezia restaurant and bar. Call in advance. Additionally, the hotel parking lot will be open for tailgating in true Buffett concert tradition.
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