Jimmy Buffett Biography (1946-)

Drawing in legions of fans since the 1980s, Jimmy Buffet has enjoyed over 3 decades of musical success & continues to break new grounds today.

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Jimmy Buffett Biography (1946-) and Event Information

Jimmy Buffett: Early Days

The legendary Jimmy Buffett began his life on December 25, 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Jimmy Buffett grew up in the Deep South and attended college at Auburn University and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he first began playing the guitar. In 1969, Jimmy Buffett graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in history and went on to work for Billboard magazine as a correspondent in Nashville. Because of the connections Jimmy Buffett built up while working at Billboard magazine, he was able to start releasing his own music, which Jimmy Buffett describes as “90 percent autobiographical.”

Jimmy Buffett: A Budding Singer

Thanks to his connections at Billboard magazine, Jimmy Buffett began his long musical career in the late 1960’s in the genre of country music. Jimmy Buffett’s first album, the folk-rock Down to Earth, was released in 1970s and gave the singer a small but strong following. The mellow “beach bum” persona, however, that Jimmy Buffett is famous for, didn’t develop up until Jimmy Buffett moved to Key West after a live performance there. After his move to Florida, Jimmy Buffett began merging various genres of music, including pop, country, and folk, with tropical lyrics. With his new style and a newfound passion, Jimmy Buffett was ready to conquer the music world.

Jimmy Buffett: The Breakthrough

During the 1970s, Jimmy Buffet remained relatively low-key on the music charts and spent most of his time traveling from place to place and giving live shows. Jimmy Buffet’s earliest albums, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and Havana Daydreamin’ were quietly received, but Jimmy Buffet’s life was poised to change soon after. Jimmy Buffet’s 1977 release of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes spawned his hit song “Margaritaville” and drew the attentions of legions of music lovers. Although his albums didn’t sell in large quantities, Jimmy Buffet’s tours were a hit with America, and Jimmy Buffet became well-known for his spectacular live concerts.

Jimmy Buffett: A Household Name

Following the 1980’s, Jimmy Buffett released a slew of albums in the next 20 years, particularly for his loyal audience. Furthermore, Jimmy Buffett started branching into business and writing. Jimmy Buffett opened his first of many “Margaritaville” restaurants in Key West in 1985, bringing about a resurgence of life into Jimmy Buffett’s hit song. Jimmy Buffett also performed yearly at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where Texas fans readily welcomed the easy-going performer. In 1997, Jimmy Buffett and novelist Herman Wouk worked together to create a musical based on Wouk’s novel Don’t Stop the Carnival, and Jimmy Buffett proved his versatility as an artist by producing the soundtrack for the musical. As the ‘90s came to an end, Jimmy Buffett had a slew of accomplishments under his belt and was ready to take on the new millennium.

Jimmy Buffett: The New Millennium

Jimmy Buffett passionately continued to influence the music scene well into the new millennium. In 2003, Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson collaborated for the song “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” which climbed to No. 1 on the country charts. A landmark moment took place in the following year when Jimmy Buffett’s album License to Chill sold an unprecedented 238,000 copies upon its release. For the first time ever in his 30 year career, Jimmy Buffett topped the US music charts. After the tragic Hurricane Katrina, Jimmy Buffett released the song “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” in honor of Katrina victims.

Jimmy Buffett: In the Now

Despite his age, Jimmy Buffet has not slowed down for a moment ever since his music career began. Jimmy Buffet still schedules tours throughout the year, albeit with a more lenient concert schedule of 20-30 show dates. Jimmy Buffet has recently joined with Sirius radio and debuted channel 31 Radio Margaritaville, which draws in millions of listeners worldwide. Boasting nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, Jimmy Buffet is a music legend, who commands swarms of fans and sells out tickets to nearly all of his concerts and tours. Jimmy Buffet’s latest Year Still Here tour is said to be his best concert tour yet, so don’t miss out on Jimmy Buffet tickets to see Jimmy Buffet perform live!

Jimmy Buffet: Jimmy Buffet Songs