Back in the early to mid 80's, I was introduced to Jimmy Buffett's music when I played a regular gig in a local tavern. This tavern constantly played Jimmy's music whenever my band wasn't on. I found, as many of you have I'm sure, listening to his music would take me to far away places that always seemed to be warm. Living in the mid west along the shores of Lake Erie, you know the winters are long and cold. I want to thank Jimmy for getting me through some of the coldest times.
Because he paints pictures in my mind with his words, or because he helps me dream, or because he lives his life on his terms, or maybe just because he got beat up by Bufford T. Pusser, Jimmy is truly an inspiration. Thanks Jimmy.
Here's my story,
and I'm stickin to it!
When the winter blahs would really start to mess with our heads, my cohorts and I would have summertime parties. Cranking the heat way up in the house and wearing typical Buffett attire and suntan lotion and of course MARGARITAS till the cows came home, (And we didn't even own cows) which would always take the edge off the winter dole drums. His music would blast us down to the beaches of KEY WEST.
In 1987 I was in a very bad accident and wound up being in a coma. Just one day before my accident I had purchased Jimmy's latest album, Floridays. I really hadn't even listened to the album before the accident but my family knew how Jimmy influenced me. My brother Jeff spent every day and night in the hospital talking to me about Key West, Jimmy Buffett, the ocean and playing Floridays over and over. 10 days later, I came out of the coma knowing that album word for word. I'd like to thank Jimmy and my brother Jeff for getting me through a very difficult time in my life.
