A Letter to Jimmy Buffett
(Have always wanted to thank Jimmy for his influence on my life, no clue how to get it to him personally… who knows- maybe he checks out facebook pages… someone suggested I send this to Key West Margaritaville… I did, no word ;-)
Hey Jimmy,
You may or may not get this, but it’s time that I sat down a wrote it… Your music has had a great influence on me for over 30 years and I wanted to take a few moments and say thanks. I first discovered your music in the 70’s and I attended the concert in that you opened for the Eagles (Tidewater, VA). That same year, my parents got divorced (mom moved out and dad and I moved several times in the next few years) and I learned to play as many of your songs as I could… what a great escape from family stress your music provided! When I graduated from High School, I was such a fan(atic) that I was named “most likely to open for Jimmy Buffett” (still one of my fondest accolades).
At the same time, I also started attending church… kind of interesting that both you and that “other guy” celebrate your birthday on the same day 
I went to college, played in local bars and tried to figure out how I could best balance my faith and my fun (more often than not the fun side won out… in excess!) When I graduated from college (long story cut short here) I became a Presbyterian minister and drifted away from my parrothead roots (although I still bought and listened to all your new albums).
A few years ago I heard that Peter Mayer was playing a Christmas concert. I heard that he was a person who lived out his faith and still had fun (and was a Coral Reefer). I went to the concert and then went home and pulled out my guitar (another long story inserted here). I started a Buffett tribute band (with my wife and a few friends) and we have been having a wonderful time ever since (as both a pastor and a musician). We put together a CD of original songs, several which are being played on the radio. Although I haven’t “opened” for you “officially”, I have played numerous times at Cheeseburger in Paradise and at tailgating parties in Atlanta. People have said that I prove the saying “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood”. You helped me through some rough times and you keep inspiring me to have fun times (some find it odd that I am a pastor, others that I am a parrothead, I am thankful to have both influences in my life)… thanks!
“There’s a thin line between Sat. night and Sunday morning”,
Bry~ the Parrot Island Band
