Thursday, July 1, 2010

Jammin' With Jimmy!


When things don't look good for your hometown...when oil is washing up on your childhood beaches...when your sister's business is hurting...what do you do? Well...tonight here in Gulf Shores, Alabama...JIMMY BUFFETT decided to do a SURPRISE FREE two hour concert at his sister's restaurant...LuLu's! WOW...what an awesome treat for all our loyal tourist that have come to our beautiful ALABAMA beaches... even when we have oil washing up daily...this has not been a good week here...we have really been hit hard. I'm sorry that I didn't make it to LuLu's to see Jimmy, but I would rather have all the wonderful people who have not given up on us and are here spending their vacation with us...they are the ones that deserve this awesome treat! Here is the article and some pics that were reported in our local newspaper (Mobile Register).

GULF SHORES, Ala. -- At about 6:30 p.m. Lucy Buffett delivered some bad news: Bluesman Sonny Landreth, who was supposed to play at her waterfront restaurant, Lulu's at Homeport Marina, had had to cancel his scheduled show. But, working a family connection, she had procured a substitute performer: her brother and south Alabama favorite son Jimmy Buffett.

Buffet and his seven-piece Coral Reefer Band then launched into a two-hour set before a very stoked crowd that grew through word of mouth to well over 2,000.

Though he played unannounced in 2000 at his mother's birthday party at the old Lulu's on Weeks Bay, tonight was his first performance at his sister's much larger location in Gulf Shores. And for the occasion he rolled out much of his classic material, including hits "Margaritaville," "Volcano," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

Imagine the surprise of diners like Amy Brown, who had arrived with her husband in Gulf Shores on Friday, prompted by the promise of a Buffett concert that had been scheduled for tomorrow night at the city's public beach. Surfside weather associated with Hurricane Alex forced that show to be rescheduled for July 11, and the Elizabethtown, Ky. couple was disappointed they wouldn't be able to make it back to the beach next weekend, she said.

"We were very upset," Brown said. "We came here for dinner tonight and this surprised us."

From the stage, Buffett thanked those like the Browns who stuck with their plans to visit Alabama's beaches despite the Gulf oil spill that has had a disastrous effect on the area's tourism-driven economy and the announcement that tomorrow's show would have to be postponed.

"How many of you heard the bad news and came anyway?" he asked between songs.

The crowd roared.

"Aren't you glad you did?" Buffett asked.

Again, the crowd roared.

That Buffett planned to play an unannounced gig was a closely guarded secret.

Many Lulu's employees were left in the dark until moments before the show. Inquisitive servers who wondered why Buffett's road crew was on the grounds were told that because they were already in town, they had been hired on to help prepare for concerts that would bookend the beach show, said Johnny Fisher, the restaurant's general manager.

Even Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, who had begrudgingly pulled the plug on the big event Monday afternoon, didn't get wind of the secret show until this afternoon.

Buffett, who wore a T-shirt on which he had scrawled "We'll be back Sunday," was ferried to the show via the Intracoastal Waterway by a boat that moored near the outdoor stage.

"It was a hard secret to keep," Fisher said. "Jimmy wanted to play as soon as the other show was canceled."

Once it was clear Buffett was there to jam, the news coursed through Internet and cell phones.

Cars overflowed onto nearby roads for several blocks in every direction.

PLEASE be sure to enter my
COASTAL GIVEAWAY HERE...yes...It's 5:00 Somewhere!

I'm linking to these FUN parties!
Thrifty Thursdays
Treasures and Trinkets Thursdays
Show Off Your Stuff
Frugalicious Friday
New Friend Fridays
Friday's Favorites

27 comments:

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a great guy! He seems so down to earth.

My Cottage Charm said...

Linda, I have a party called Treasures and Trinkets Thursday..You're more than welcome to link your heartfelt post there..I would honored to help spread the news of the gulf. I cry when I watch the news...it's such a tragedy and there doesn't seem to be much of an urgency to get it fixed.
Blessings & Hugs
Missy

Blondie's Journal said...

What a great surprise this must have been. I want you to know that everyone here in the Midwest is praying for all of you along the gulf shores.

xoxo
Jane

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

What an awesome story!! I am so saddened by the whole situation and lack of much working to stop the oil. I lived on the coast in Galveston for awhile and know it needs to be preserved!

Girl with the Curlz said...

What a great surprise. We are all here in the north keeping you in our prayers. Happy 4th to you.

Lisa said...

What a treat! Love Jimmy Buffett! As a Mississippi girl this tragedy will forever affect the beaches I love. Our family has had a place near the beach in the Florida panhandle for 30+ years and to think of this 'horrific happening' (and, yes, without much urgency to fix) is about more than I can bear. Thanks for the post, it brightened my day!

Shellbelle said...

Oh my gosh! What great news! This is so exciting, I just love this guy even more! I'm sure JImmy brought some much needed smiles to Alabama and more awareness to those who are planning vacations. Come to The Gulf — you just never know who will pop in!

This just made me smile and rejoice today!

Everything Coastal said...

How exciting! Jimmy Buffett is the absolute Best! Thank you for this wonderful post - can only imagine what a jolt of good spirits this raised for people in Alabama.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That is so great of him to help out!

Kimberly said...

Love it! A friend of mine happened to be there too. He's so great!

Nicole said...

That's awesome. We are huge parrot heads and this is one reason that we love Jimmy!

Jennifer said...

So incredible what he is doing for our beautiful Coast....I'm from coastal Mississippi and the sadness that I feel everytime I drive down the beach is overwhelming...but it is so powerful to know that there are people who still take time out of their schedule to remember the people and businesses that are struggling here. Great post!!!

Jamie said...

What a wonderful surprise! I am a Parrothead myself ;)
So wonderful to hear that people are still vacationing on the Gulf shores and that they were treated to such a fantastic show!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

He is awesome and nice to know he has not forgot his roots! I would love a visit to the beach but being unemployed right now that is not in the budget!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful. I'm just heartsick about the spill. My prayers to all who are affected. Hope you have a wonderful 4th.

Simple Daisy said...

Oh my gosh...how awesome!! I love his music!! But I have never heard him in concert!

Jane B. said...

This is fabulous....thanks so much for linkin' this up! The oil spill breaks my heart. Glad Jimmy could bring some much needed joy through his music!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

OMG... what a treat!
You have to come join my friday's favorites. This would be at the top of my list.
I hope y'all have a fantabulous weekend~Sandi

Victoria said...

I just saw this on the news about half an hour ago, what a great thing for him to do. This whole situation is just so sad and I really don't understand all the foot dragging that seems to be going on:( All of you who are in the thick of it are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

How awesome! We have been fans since college! I would love to see him in person!

Happy 4th!
Cathy

Miri said...

I've always been a Jimmy Buffett fan but now more than ever! Hope this keeps the tourists coming...never knowing who'll show up!

Creations By Cindy said...

I love Jimmy Buffett. Have a blessed July 4th. Cindy

Joanna Jenkins said...

Seeing this made my heart happy. What a great guy!!!!!
YEAH JIMMY!
Happy weekend,
jj

3creativechics said...

I am from Oklahoma and we just made a trip to Florida last week-end and saw how the oil spill has made a mess down there. We pass through Alabama on the way. It's great to hear what Jimmy Buffett has done. My heart goes out to all of you.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Linda, this is America at her finest....pulling together to do things for each other in the face of dismal times. Way to go, Jimmy! Hoping better days are ahead soon for the Gulf. Linda

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

What fun that must have been! I've been to Lulu's only twice, but it is a neat place. Great thing for Jimmy to do.

The Charm of Home said...

How cool is that! Love Buffett! Thanks for posting!
Sherry

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