Parrot Heads to Rock in Key West
Nov. 4-7
KEY WEST,
Florida Keys --
Several thousand fans of singer/songwriter/author Jimmy
Buffett, known as Parrot Heads, are making an annual
pilgrimage to the subtropical island that inspired many
of Buffett's hits. The 19th annual Parrot Heads in
Paradise Meeting of the Minds convention, titled
"Gypsies in the Palace" after a Buffett tune about rowdy
guests, is scheduled Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 4-7,
in Key West.
Buffett's home during some of his most productive years,
Key West is credited with inspiring his hit song "Margaritaville"
as well as albums such as "A1A," named for the highway
leading to the island city.
His lyrics are rich in references to Key West spots such
as Fausto's Food Palace, the Blue Heaven Restaurant and
the Chart Room Bar. His songs memorialize Key West
characters like the late Captain Tony Tarracino and Phil
Clark, whose real-life exploits unfold in "A Pirate
Looks at 40."
In the mid-1980s Buffett founded the Margaritaville
Store in Key West's Lands End Village. Today located on
Duval Street beside the entertainer's Margaritaville
Café, it remains one of the island's most popular
visitor destinations and a magnet for Parrot Heads.
Events during the flock's 2010 convention are to include
concerts by Buffett band members and friends, beachside
musical performances, charity auctions and raffles, a
sunset concert cruise, the presentation of the 2010 "TropRock"
Music Awards, a street festival with live music and an
oceanfront "Beach Bash" at the Casa Marina Resort, 1500
Reynolds St.
While Buffett occasionally makes a surprise convention
appearance, leading members of his Coral Reefer Band are
scheduled to showcase their talents during the Thursday
night entertainment highlight. The lineup includes pedal
steel guitar player Doyle Grisham, songwriter/performer
Mac McAnally, keyboard master Michael Utley and steel
drum wizard Robert Greenidge, headlining the band Club
Trini; backup singer Tina Gullickson and guitar player
Peter Mayer.
Regional and Parrot Head favorites Howard Livingston &
the Mile Marker 24 Band, "Sunny Jim" White, Jim Morris &
The Big Bamboo Band, the Boat Drunks and John Frinzi are
among the other scheduled performers.
Most convention activities are open only to registered
members of Parrot Head clubs, but the public is invited
to attend the Margaritaville Street Fest. Presented by
Margaritaville Key West and the Paradise Charitable
Foundation, the rollicking street concert is set for 1-6
p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, adjacent to Margaritaville at the
corner of Duval and Fleming streets.
Street Fest entertainment is to be provided by the Young
Rebel Goombas, Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band and
the Cedar Island Band.
As well as sharing an appreciation for Buffett's music
and the tropical lifestyle it promotes, Parrot Head club
members focus on charitable, environmental, educational
and humanitarian activities. Since 2002, members of the
200-plus national and international Parrot Head chapters
have contributed more than $19.2 million and 2.4 million
volunteer hours to local and national charities.
For more information about the convention, visit the
Meeting of the Minds section of the Parrot Head clubs'
official website at
www.phip.com.
For information about lodging in Key West, call
1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys website
at
www.fla-keys.com.
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