Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform tonight at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, HI. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has an article on the show and a short interview: “Buffett an entertainer extraordinaire”.
Buffett called in from an undisclosed location on Oahu as he was preparing for his Saturday concert here at the Waikiki Shell, relaxing for a few days.
» NEXT BIG PROJECT: A “Margaritaville” Internet TV channel that will allow thousands of his fans to watch his shows in real time on their computers. He already has a “Radio Margaritaville” following. Though he’ll turn 67 on Christmas Day, he said he’s a techie and loves social media.
Buffett hopes to go online in May; there will not only be concert broadcasts but “reality TV” stories of his and adventures. Check margaritaville.com.
» WHY THE PARROTS AND SHARKS: Bottom line, he has no idea why parrots and sharks are so prevalent at his shows. “People love to dress up and just have fun,” he said, but “dress is not required.”
» WHAT HE’LL PLAY: A tune related to the islands, “The Oldest Surfer on the Beach,” by Mark Knopfler. (He mentioned this song right after describing how he wiped out while surfing here on Monday.)
» ON WORKING WITH A BAND: Although one of his songs cries out “Don’t EVER start a band!,” Buffett said he found that he enjoyed the process of putting a show together as much as writing songs and playing; figuring out the set list, which is different in every town. “There are certain things I like to change in certain places. … Recently, I’ll take basic songs and make them over,” he said.
He clearly understands that his longtime fans want to hear their old favorites, but, he said, it’s like when you own a vintage truck; you never want to give it up, “but at some point, you have to.”
» ON HAWAII: “I absolutely love it, as I do most island cultures. I’m so appreciative that I am accepted here, this strange haole boy from the mainland.”
He recalled one way he has repaid island hospitality: The first time he played the Shell, he had the speakers turned so people outside the grounds could hear the concert. He still does so. “I don’t care that they haven’t paid to get in. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”