Sophomore year of college my roommate introduced me to the music of a balding white dude named Jimmy Buffett. Life has not been the same since, in a good way.
That year (1989, I believe) I attended my first Buffett show at The Concord Pavilion, it was the Feeding Frenzy tour. Since then I have averaged at least one Buffett show a year, if not more. I've had to take a year off here and there though; one year it was due to being 8 months pregnant another it was due to the fact that he was playing at a small venue in San Francisco and tickets were super expensive.
Jimmy Buffett only performs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Unfortunately he always seems to be here on a Tuesday or Thursday and I have to work the next day because I tend to go to the concerts with my principal.
Vanessa and Principal Carol (listening to the Giants' game on the headphones)
This past weekend, however, he actually came on a Saturday! Shoreline Amphitheatre doesn't allow tailgating before hand but the call of a Saturday show was just too much and, so, much alcohol was consumed in the parking lot ahead of time. We used party cups and when the cops came by, we were very calm and they didn't question us at all (unlike my friend who got busted for drinking beer there tonight before the Bridge School Benefit Show).
Husband Brian tolerates the shows but insists on going each year. I think he is a secret Parrothead.
Buffett shows are like my own private holiday. I have so much fun; I'm up and dancing the whole time, singing (off-key) at the top of my lungs and probably making a fool of myself. I used to dress up a lot more than I do now. I used to wear a hat that I would add one item to for each show I had attended. Stuffed parrots, little figurines, an empty box of Junior Mints, etc all adorned my hat. After over 15 shows it became unwieldy and it was time to be retired. Now I just wear a big flamingo on my head. I get lots and lots of compliments, many people point at me, and more than a few ask to have their picture taken with me. Needless to say, I enjoy the attention. The best part of my hat is that it makes a really good landmark when someone is trying to find their way back to their blanket on the lawn in the dark (just make a left at the flamingo).
Me with my flamingo hat
I still can't believe my favorite performer is an old(ish) balding man who doesn't have that great of a voice, but the show he puts on can't be beat. After over 20 years and 20+ concerts, I can't wait for next year's show. I sure hope he is here on a Saturday again.
