Born on Christmas Day in Pascagoula, Mississippi, singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett (1946-) described his music as "a little bit of humor and a little escapism." For the thousands of his diehard fans, Parrotheads, who sell out his concerts, Buffett is that and a whole lot more.

"In concert I try to convince people that if they can't go to paradise, I can bring it to them," Buffett explained. His concerts are gigantic celebrations, with the spirit of Mardi Gras. His clever, witty songs, such as Margaritaville, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Why Don't We Get Drunk are perfect sing-alongs, dance-alongs, feel-good-alongs.

As Buffett put it, "If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane."

This laid-back performer grew up loving the ocean and the books of Ernest Hemingway. He started as a country singer, moved to Key West, and slipped into the comfortable folk-rock sound. 

Nowadays, Buffett crusades on behalf of Florida’s endangered manatees and writes best-selling fiction. He continues to tour with his Coral Reefer Band, and calls himself, "the spokesperson for the bald spot generation." His 2000 outing grossed $24.1 million "I like to see forty-year old people standing on their seats dancing." 

"Someone's got to raise some hell, it might as well be me."

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