Jimmy Buffett rocks the major-label boat

SFGate.com ^ | 18 August 2002 | Joel Selvin

[Darlin']

He has already signed big-hair rockers Poison, an alliance that cuts across stylistic boundaries about as far as you can go.

"We make as much money if we sell 100,000 copies this way as we made when we sold a million copies through a major label," Poison bassist Bobby Dall told Billboard magazine.

[RichInOC]

I look forward to Jimmy and Bret Michaels duetting on "The Great Filling Station Holdup". (I would have suggested "Why Don't We Get Drunk (And Screw)", but people might think Bret and Jim were singing to each other.)

[IncPen]

Good thing you didn't go to Key West.

David Alan Coe says he doesn't live there anymore...

Well there's sailboats and conch shells and palm trees galore
But Jimmy Buffet doesn't live in Key West anymore...

One of my favorites...

[Darlin']

I do understand your position. :)

I tend to think of Buffett as an eternal Peter Pan. He has proven to be a shrewd businessman. Lets hope he is developing a more conservative mindset, too.

[IncPen]

Oh, btw, Buffett broadcasts almost all of his shows on the net; there's a link on his home page...

[Darlin']

FOFLOL. Two of my favorite singers and songs.

[Anotherpundit]

The way I see it, expecting pop artists to have coherent, well thought political viewpoints is like expecting Miss America to make coherent proposals for third-world hunger and disease relief. It's not their job. I like their music, so I buy their music, because they've earned it by doing a good job at what they do. if they choose to spend that money on stuff I disagree with -- well, that's capitalism. It's their money, they earned it. It's just up to me to earn money myself and spend even greater amounts supporting the causes etc. that I believe in.

[Darlin']

What wonderful news. Good for your husband. That is such a hard business to get started in. I sure hope all the hard work and dedication continue to produce results so you can go on tour, too. :) Good luck to you both.

[lara]

I like Buffet's music, but considering the fact he supported both Gore and Hillary, I really couldn't care less what he does.

[Moonman62]

It is interesting that he's forgoing the "union" label and striking out on his own. Doing the "Republican" thing, becoming his own boss and earning his money, instead of waiting around for handouts.

Capitalism for Jimmy, communism for everybody else. (cross reference: see Ted Turner, Larry Ellison, Etc.)

[Darlin']

Doesn't he live in Palm Beach now ?

[RightOnline]

Ever seen Billy Joel's house? Trust me. He ain't hurtin'. :)

[IncPen]

According to the song, Jimmy Buffett by David Alan Coe, he's not down on Duval street hangin' out in bars (he's livin' in Malibu, with all those other stars).

If you haven't heard the song, it's a must, whether you're a Jimmy fan or not...

[Darlin']

LOL. I understand.

[Darlin']

I haven't heard it but I'll look for it.

[cva66snipe]

I don't look into an artist politics. If I made it the sole basis of buying their product or listening to it I would have missed out on a lot of great music. Take Dylan, Harrison, & a few others. Harrison, Dylan, & I would guess a few more in the group are {were} liberals. But The Traveling Wilbury's was a great band that ended way too soon. Same thing with The Eagles. Some of their best work was with another liberal Linda Rondstat. Now I'll date myself I even like Peter, Paul, & Mary who's tallents were very great. Their politics though?? Don't care a bit for it. Politics is politics and music is music. Both have parts I dislike.

[Dan from Michigan]

Reminds me of Tom Petty's song "Quit Jammin' me!!!"

[dcwusmc]

INDEPENDENCE bump

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ditto on the home recording... I've been doing that since the 80s... I still remember my first 4-track recorder - found it used at a music shop, and used it to demo stuff... it was a blast :0)

I've moved to digital in the past few years myself, and finally decided to just make the time and get some serious songwriting done

I know I'm not marketable enough for a major label, and quite frankly I don't want one to own me. When I'm ready, I'll release my own stuff on my own label. :0)

[Bella_Bru]

pingzies!

[JohnLoyRocker]

expecting pop artists to have coherent, well thought political viewpoints is like expecting Miss America to make coherent proposals for third-world hunger and disease relief

In most cases, I would agree with you. But I expected more from Jimmy. I expected more from someone who has piloted his own airplane (a seaplane no less) around a good part of the world (don't even go there with John Revolta, he's a whacko scientoligist).

I expected more from someone who (besides writing his own, sometimes insightful, lyrics) has actually written his own books. While his books weren't great literature (which I wouldn't have bothered to read), they were quite well written and very entertaining.

I agree with the first half of your second point. They have earned their money and are free to do with it as they please.

I differ from you in that I choose not to consciously continue funding a point of view I disagree with, regardless of how little or how much I earn.

Finally, if you can honestly expect to compete dollar-for-dollar with Jimmy, and earn the money honestly without compromising your integrity or health, then I envy you.