Right time, right place. Looking back at some of your fondest memories, can you recall a memory when you shared a special moment with a hero? I know heroes come in all shapes, sizes and professions. I’m talking about musical heroes here.

I was combing through the overwhelming video library that is YouTube, searching for random Caribbean clips. All the sudden, I found myself staring starry eyed at the screen watching a larger than life personality entertain a small intimate group of people in a bar. I saw magic. Right time, right place.

Jimmy Buffett is known for popping into bars and restaurants to play a couple tunes for the lucky guests. That’s exactly what happened to some lucky people on St. Barts. One thing that makes him great is the way he pulls you into his songs. He is a master storyteller and knows how to seduce his audience. Watch these videos as Buffett plays an impromptu gig at the BAZ Bar on St. Barts. Right time, right place.

Buffett Sings “No Woman No Cry” in St. Barts

Buffett Sings “One Particular Harbor” in St. Barts

Pretty amazing memories for those lucky few. Do you see how he draws his audience in? Those people are going to go back to their lives and jobs feeling like a million bucks. They are going to have stories to tell for a lifetime. They are going to have memories so thick they’ll have to wipe them away from their faces.

One thing I’d like to do before growing old and gray is to see one of my heroes in a small intimate setting like this. Electricity flying through the air, child like giddiness on everyone’s face and a shared magical moment with friends, strangers and one hero. That’s what I want. That’s what I wish for. I hope for that right time, right place moment.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Start up that margarita blender and turn on some steel drum music because Josh Martin is going to tell us tales of Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett.

Josh is the owner/operator of two very popular fan sites, BuffettWorld.com and ChesneyWorld.com. These two sites keep us fans up-to-date on all the breaking news about these two entertainers. I was able to lure Josh into an interview with the promise of future margarita rounds bought by yours truly. Enjoy the journey. Cheers!

1. You are the owner & operator of two very popular websites, BuffettWorld.com and ChesneyWorld.com, how long have you had the site sand what made you come up with the idea?

My buddy first introduced me to Jimmy Buffett when I was a sophomore in high school (2000). The more and more I listened to his music the more and more I loved it, and after going to my first show in St. Louis I was hooked. I was very into computers and had been fiddling with making websites so I decided to make a Buffett website. It started as a hobby, but after a couple of years I bought the domain name buffettworld.com and, with the help of my contributor Justin, added a ton of new information. The traffic really grew in 2004 and has grown exponentially since. It’s now the largest resource for all things Jimmy Buffett on the net.

A couple years back I noticed that Kenny was getting more and more of a following. He had become the biggest act in country music and one of the biggest tours in all of music. But there wasn’t a fan website out there for him like there was BuffettWorld for Jimmy Buffett. I had been thinking about creating a Chesney site for a while, and in May of 2008 I decided to replicate what I’d done for Buffett and created ChesneyWorld.com. It grew very quickly and I’ve been surprised and thrilled by its success.

There are a great group of fans for both Kenny and Jimmy and I’m very gracious for those that come to the “Worlds” to get their fix.

2. What is your “Boat Drink” of choice when you are relaxing?

My drink of choice is usually a Bud Light Lime. I also love a good frozen margarita. I guess I’m just sort of a lime guy when it comes to boat drinks.

3. Which singer/song writer do you have more in common with, Mr. Buffett or Mr. Chesney?

I feel like I have a lot in common with both of them. I share their love of sports. I have a laid back, easy going personality, and love fishing and boating. I would probably relate more to Chesney as we’re closer in age, but Buffett and I share one very strong passion, and that’s flying. My day job is corporate pilot and I love it. Jimmy Buffett is a very accomplished pilot and owns several airplanes. When (hopefully not “if”) I do get to meet him someday, I envision it being at an airport where we’ll chat about airplanes and our love of flying.

4. What is your favorite Caribbean Island?

I’ve only been to a couple, but I do love the backside of St. Thomas, away from the city where it’s a little quieter. I’d love to visit St. John. which is Kenny’s home away from home, or St. Barts where Jimmy spends a lot of his time.

5. How many Buffett and Chesney shows have you been too? What was your most memorable experience?

I just went to my 10th Buffett show back in April. A big group of friends have gone every year for the past decade except one. The group gets bigger and bigger every year and it’s such a good time. Easily the most memorable experience was Dallas 2003 when I was fortunate enough to sit second row dead center. At the end of the show, Jimmy always throws his wrist bands into the crowd and he threw one of them towards us and all hands went up for it… the people in front of me thought it fell to the ground so they all leaned forward but the wrist band had been knocked into the air and landed on the back of the guy in front of me as he leaned forward. With the quickest motion I’ve probably ever made I snatched it off of his back. I’ve now got it in a frame on the wall with a picture of Jimmy wearing it from that show.

I’ve seen Kenny 5 times. The first was in 1999 at a small venue here in my hometown. It was pre-No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems so it was cool to compare him then to later shows after he underwent his “island transformation.” Earlier this year I was able to attend the CMT Crossroads taping in Nashville with Steve Miller. That was a very special experience. It was neat to see the show when it aired on CMT, knowing what all happened behind the scenes to make the show what it was.

6. This will be a hard question, but what are your top 2 favorite songs from both artists?

This is a very hard question, particularly with Buffett songs. I’m glad you asked for top two and not just my number one. For Kenny, it’s “Me and You” and “Back Where I Come From.” “Me and You” is my wife and I’s song. It was the first song we danced to at our wedding. And “Back Where I Come From” has always been a favorite since the first time I heard it back in the 90′s. It’s been a real treat this year as Buffett’s sang it on tour a few times, including the show that we were at. As for Buffett, I’d probably go with “When The Coast is Clear” and “One Particular Harbour.” “When The Coast is Clear” is the first song that Jimmy and Mac McAnally ever wrote together. It’s just such a great tune, and I love it even more after Buffett changed the words to reflect the situation in the gulf. And with “One Particular Harbour”, Jimmy always says that everybody should have that one particular harbour that they can go to and feel at home and have a good time. It’s a staple at his shows and I’ve just always loved it since the first time I heard it.

7. What does the future hold for BuffettWorld and ChesneyWorld?

Earlier this year both sites underwent a major redesign that took a significant amount of time. Since that’s been accomplished there aren’t any big plans for either site right now. We’ll just keep on providing the best and latest news, while utilizing social media like Twitter and Facebook.

8. Last question. If you were stranded on a beautiful tropical island in the middle of nowhere and could bring 3 things with you, what would they be?

I’d bring my wife and two kids (daughter Peyton (3) and son Paxton (1 month)). I couldn’t imagine life without them. If you were gracious enough to count them as one, then I’d also bring along a good book and a computer so I could still keep everyone up to date on Kenny and Jimmy

I want to thank Josh for taking the time do the interview.  I know I will continue going to BuffettWorld and ChesneyWorld for my escapism fix.

Have a great weekend Castaways!

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

After one sip you’ll be dodging cannon ball fire.

They say every drink has a story. This one is no different. How many of you know the story behind the Jimmy Buffett song, Jamaica Mistaica?

In January 1996 Buffett’s Grumman HU-16 airplane nicknamed “Hemisphere Dancer” was shot at by Jamaican police who believed the craft to be smuggling marijuana. The aircraft sustained minimal damage. On board the plane with Buffett were U2′s Bono, and Island Records producer Chris Blackwell, and co-pilot Bill Dindy. The Jamaican government acknowledged the mistake and apologized to Buffett who penned the song “Jamaica Mistaica” for his Banana Wind album based on the experience. The plane from the incident is now at Orlando City Walk’s Margaritaville.

Jamaica Mistaica Drink Recipe

• 2 jiggers Jamaican Rum
• 1 jigger Grenadine
• 3 dashes Maraschino
• 3 dashes Curacao

Fill shaker with ice. Add ingredients. Stir and strain into glass. Raise glass and toast.

This little island cocktail is sure to pack a punch, but not nearly as much as the Jamaican military. Lay off the rum mon!

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

Zero day had finally arrived and it was time for the beach party to begin. The island of Margaritaville and about 35,000 parrotheads were ready for the show.

We headed down to Gulf Shores after the World Cup final to do a little tailgate. After pounding some pre-show adult beverages we walked through the gates and took in the sea of humanity packed together on the white sand, soaking in the warm sunshine. It’s show time!

We walked through the beach to lay claim to a plot of sand but quickly found out it was a pain in the ass to walk around everyone with beach towels down. Then all the bathroom were in the back. It’s important to be close to bathrooms when you have an acorn size bladder.

So we post up next to the beer stand and bathrooms and take in the joy that is a Jimmy Buffett concert. Here are several video snippets from the show.

“I will play for gumbo”

“It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere”

Watch to the end and you will see these ladies tell me I talk funny and ask if I’m a yankee. Sorry but your the one that talks funny lady! Cheers!

“Bama Breeze”

“Where the boat leaves from”

Buffett covering Zac Brown Band’s “Where the boat leaves from”

“Back Where I Come From”

Buffett and McAnally sing “Back Where I Come From” which Kenny Chesney recorded and Mac McAnally wrote.

“Fins”

Here are a couple fun loving Buffett lovers taking in the magic.

The show was awesome and accomplished what it set out to do. It brought thousands of people to the Gulf Shores area and helped the tourism industry that has been devastated by the oil spill.

You can read about day one on Gulf Shores here.

Our trip is sponsor by Cuttin Up Radio. If you like great country music, entertaining interviews of top artists and being introduced to new bands, then this is the online radio station for you! They also have a cool Facebook fan page. Check them out.

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

Man, that was a long drive. The drive home is always longer than the drive there, but well worth the experience. Gulf Shores Alabama was amazing and welcomed all the crazy parrotheads with open arms.  Jimmy Buffett was…well, Jimmy Buffett. He worked his ass off to give the 35,000+ people a great show and an experience to remember. Mission accomplished Mr. Buffett. Thank you.

Sunrise Port Charlotte

The drive took about 9 hours I believe. What better way to reward yourself for almost reaching the finish line than to stop off in Pensacola, FL to re-energize with a boat drink or two at the new Margaritaville Hotel. My buddy and I were pretty excited to kick the party off in that one particular harbor. Alas, it was not meant to be.

We got within site of it’s gleaming white exterior but were turned away by Navy F-18 fighters. That’s right, the only thing that could keep us away were fighter jets!

Just so happens the Blue Angles were doing a show over Pensacola beach and traffic was at a stand still.  Trust me we tried.  We turned around reluctantly, but after driving for 8 hours the last thing you want to do is sit in traffic.

Welcome to Alabama!

We checked into the Key West Inn in Foley, AL. It’s a small town about 8 miles North of Gulf Shores. There wasn’t a whole lot about this place that reminded me of Key West. I looked for Irish Kevin but couldn’t find him. This called for the start of alcohol consumption. Cheers!

Beer One!

We then shared a cab down to Gulf Shores with a couple from the elegant Key West Inn. My buddy proceedes to name the guy Steve Irwin, due to the fact that he is wearing the Crocodile Hunter’s exact wardrobe. “Stay away from string-rays dude, it doesn’t go well for you”, he said to him. The Steve Irwin character remained quiet and aloof. He then shorted me on the cab fare. Maybe he wasn’t so aloof after all. Jackass.

The remainder of the night moves pretty quickly for fairly obvious reasons. We start out by hitting the mecca known as The Hangout. It’s a huge place with a cool stage, outdoor courtyard, sand pit for the kids, bubble machines for kids (and drunk adults) and an enormous dining room. Here is the first video I took. I sound a little excited or tipsy.  Most likely a combo of the two.

How can you hate a place where you can dance on the tables? I refrained from this behavior, but was definitely tempted.

We then bounce over to the Pink Pony Pub for a beer. Then down to Hooters for another.

Next we grabbed a cab and picked up Castaway Kris and her friend Chris. Kris was nice enough to give this salty pirate two tickets for the Buffett show. Thanks a million Kris!

The four of us then venture of to LuLu’s Homeport for some boat drinks and live music. LuLu is Jimmy’s sister and she owns a huge restaurant and marina on the inter-coastal waterway. We indulge in the atmosphere and let the good times roll.

On the way out of LuLu’s we manage to catch a ride with four random yet very fun girls to a place called Flora-Bama. This sounds like a flower shop to me so I was very confused by the new destination. So the eight of us packed into this minivan and drove about 25 minutes to the east along the beach.

They keep reassuring me that we were not going to a flower shop, but I really don’t trust them. Apparently, Flora-Bama is a huge, multi-level beach bar on the Florida/Alabama boarder…hence Flora-Bama. I still think they need a new name.

We stay here for who knows how long. We drink who knows how many drinks. We leave with the nice minivan girls minus Kris and Chris. I was told this was okay because table dancing and debauchery started when we left. I thought the party always ends when I leave? Go figure.

We were deposited at the 5-star Key West Inn and passed out. Dreams of sand, sun and Margaritaville filled my unconscience mind. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

Day Two…

Our trip is sponsor by Cuttin Up Radio. If you like great country music, entertaining interviews of top artists and being introduced to new bands, then this is the online radio station for you! They also have a cool Facebook fan page. Check them out.

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

Watching the sun rise in the morning isn’t really one of my favorite things to do. Yet that is exactly what I’m doing right now.  I much prefer sunsets. It’s the romantic in me.

My buddy and I have a 10 hour drive in front of us. 97% of it will take place in the state of Florida. If you’re in south Florida it literally takes eons to get out of it’s borders. We are bound for the Jimmy Buffett Gulf Shores concert on the beach. Just writing that puts a smile on my face. Fins Up!

Our trip is sponsor by Cuttin Up Radio. If you like great country music, entertaining interviews of top artists and being introduced to new bands, then this is the online radio station for you. They also have a cool Facebook fan page. Check them out.

So we are packed and ready. What do we have?

• Beach Chairs – Check
• Rolling Cooler with Landshark, Corona and rum – Check
• Sun Screen – Sun Screen is for the weak!  Just kidding, I have to put it on my sensitive bald head. Check
• Tickets – ummmmm, sort of check. I will be picking those up from a great RumShopRyan fan in Gulf Shores.
• Coozies – Check (I never know how to spell that tricky word)
• Couple days of clothes – Check
• Sparkling personalities – Check and Check

I’m positive I forgot something. Happens every time. Doesn’t matter. Nothing can stop this train now. (knocking on something that looks like wood)

I will be posting real-time photos and reports of the trip and event on Facebook and Twitter. Tune in and check out the rum and beer fueled fun!

By the way if anyone reading this is going to be at the concert come find me! Say hi, buy me a beer and lets sing some Buffett songs together. If you’re singing isn’t too bad I’ll give you a RumShopRyan.com Castaway wristband. Cheers!

Next Sunday is the Gulf Shores awareness concert put on by Mr. Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy is being joined by a few other musical acts, the most well known being Zac Brown Band. Other acts included Sonny Landreth, Jesse Winchester and Allen Toussaint.

Here is a little background on the Sonny, Jesse, and Allen.

Sonny Landreth

Sonny Landreth (born February 1, 1951) is an American blues musician from southwest Louisiana who is especially known as a slide guitar player. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, but soon after, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, before settling in Lafayette, Louisiana. When he is not touring and performing, he resides in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

Landreth is an extremely competent guitarist in the “conventional” form, but is most well-known for his exceptional slide playing. Landreth has developed a technique where he also frets notes and plays chords and chord fragments behind the slide while he plays. Landreth plays with the slide on his little finger, so that his other fingers have more room to fret behind the slide. He’s also known for his right-hand technique, which involves tapping, slapping, and picking strings, using all of the fingers on his right hand.

Landreth has worked steadily for decades and amassed a following among his fans and peers. Eric Clapton has said he is “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.”

Jesse Winchester

Winchester had begun playing guitar in bands while still a high school student. He also played in Germany during college study abroad and after graduation. Upon arriving in Quebec in 1967, he joined a local band, the Astronautes. At this time, he also began writing songs that he performed as a solo artist in coffee houses throughout eastern Canada. Under the auspices of The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Winchester began his recording career in 1970 with his self-titled album, released on the Ampex label.

Winchester released several additional albums during the ’70s. But, due to his draft status, he was unable to tour in the United States until President Jimmy Carter granted draft resisters amnesty in 1977. As a result, he became recognized primarily as a prolific songwriter. His best known songs include “Yankee Lady”, “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz”, “Mississippi, You’re on My Mind”, and “Biloxi”. These and others have been recorded by numerous artists including Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Anne Murray and Reba McEntire. (From wikipedia)

Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint, (born January 14, 1938) is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.

Many of Toussaint’s songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including “Working in the Coalmine”, “Ride Your Pony”, “Fortune Teller”, “Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)”, “Get Out Of My Life Woman”, “Southern Nights,” “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky”, “I’ll Take a Melody” and “Mother-in-Law”. (from wikipedia)

If you like these artists please download some of there music.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Here is a video that was posted on Margaritaville’s Coconut TV. See you next weekend Jimmy.

On June 30th, Jimmy and most of the Coral Reefers made a surprise appearance at Lulu’s in Gulf Shores and treated the crowd to a concert. Surfing in a Hurricane and Dreamsicle have been posted..

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend Castaways.

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

I just saw this pop up on BuffettWorld.com, it’s a news story from the Alabama Press Register article on how the July 1st Gulf Coast concert with Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, and others came to be: “Jimmy Buffett concert comes together quickly”

As Brian Philips, the president of the CMT cable music channel, picked up the phone for an interview, he was distracted by a news alert about the latest setback at the well spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

“How much more bad news from BP can people take?” he mused. “This just hit, and I sent it to Jimmy.”

The remark hinted at an ongoing whirlwind of communication between CMT, superstar Jimmy Buffett and other parties involved in putting on a Thursday beach concert in Gulf Shores.

“It is minute-to-minute,” Philips said.

Philips’ channel will carry a live, commercial-free, 90-minute broadcast of the event, which will star Buffett and special guests Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown.

The concert is a sure blockbuster: More than 1 million people sought the 22,500 free tickets that were snapped up in an instant through Ticketmaster, and beach rental companies are dangling another 12,500 tickets as incentives to lure tourists.

But it’s also a monumental challenge to put the show together on short notice.

“To give you the exact timeline,” Philips said, “we literally made the connection the night of the CMT Awards, which was June 9.”

That meant that the day after CMT staff members put on “the biggest production of their lives,” he said, they were being turned on a dime for the Buffett show.

“We’re sending everybody,” Philips said. “It takes an army to make a show this big.”

A.J. Niland of Mobile-based HUKA Entertainment said he expects that by Thursday, the ranks of event workers will have surpassed 700, maybe 900. That includes those managed by HUKA, which is in charge of the site and infrastructure; the contingent from CMT; Buffett’s touring entourage; and a sizeable security team.

Niland said the show owes a lot to the recent Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival, which HUKA also produced. That experience, he said, helped HUKA convince Buffett’s team that the Gulf Shores beach was a viable location.

“Shows on the beach are very, very rarely done anywhere,” Niland said of large-scale events like the Hangout fest. “It’s not an ideal venue. We made it an ideal venue.”

Niland, like Philips, described Buffett as being extremely selective about where and when he plays.

“It’s important to them that the fans get the best Buffett experience,” Niland said. “We’re creating Margaritaville on the beach, for sure.”

Mike Foster, marketing manager for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Buffett’s emphasis on quality was a major factor in determining how many concert-goers could attend.

The stage and sound system can only be so big, he noted.

Niland speculated that if the show were open to all, 200,000 fans might have tried to jam in. But a crowd that size would require video and sound production far beyond what was possible, to say nothing of the safety and traffic issues.

“It has to be a safe, enjoyable experience,” he said.

He said he hopes that fans won’t try to crash the show or hang around the outside of the perimeter fence. “We really, really recommend that if they don’t have a ticket, they watch it on TV,” he said.

According to organizers, Marine Police and other agencies will enforce a 500-foot no-boating zone adjacent to the concert grounds on the day of the show.

CMT’s broadcast will start at 7 p.m. Thursday. It will then rebroadcast an edited version at 6 p.m. Friday; 8:30 p.m. July 3; 1 p.m. July 4; and 10:30 a.m. July 5.

The concert will be carried live on Radio Margaritaville, which can be heard via Sirius and XM satellite radio and at www.radiomargaritaville.com. CMT will also stream video of the show at www.CMT.com.

Read the rest of the story here. “Jimmy Buffett concert comes together quickly”

RumShopRyan.com will be covering the concert. Sponsorship by CuttinUpRadio.com

Cheers!

RumShopRyan

This week’s webcam comes from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Gulf Shores is the location of this week’s Jimmy Buffett beach concert to bring awareness and people to the oil spill stricken gulf coast. Buffett will be joined by Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Sonny Landreth, Jesse Winchester and Allen Toussaint.

The title bar on this webcam says “Hangout Music Festival Webcam”, so maybe this will be the location of the concert. Tune in and see for your self this Thursday. Oh did I mention I will be here! See you there and lets support the Gulf coast.

Gulf Shores Webcam

From Margaritaville.com

To demonstrate support for the people, businesses and culture of the Gulf Coast, CMT will telecast a free musical celebration live from the beach at Gulf Shores, Ala. CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends Live from the Gulf Coast will air on CMT on Thursday, July 1, from 8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band will be joined in the concert by his friends Sonny Landreth, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Jesse Winchester and Allen Toussaint.