Jimmy Buffett Concert Draws Crowd on Oil Coast

(AP)  Tens of thousands of people dressed in Hawaiian shirts and parrot hats sang and danced on a broad beach Sunday at a free Jimmy Buffett concert meant to show not all the tourists are covered in oil on the Gulf Coast.

The show, which was telecast live on the CMT cable channel, came on a particularly good day: The skies were mostly clear and only a little oil was washing in on the white sand about 100 miles north of the Deepwater Horizon site. A sand-filled barrier erected by the Alabama National Guard kept members of the audience from getting near the surf just in case.

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

Buffett, who grew up on the Alabama coast, came on stage to a huge cheer.

"It's a little like Jazz Fest with an ocean," said Buffett, referring to the huge music festival in New Orleans. "It is a pleasure to be here on a beautiful Gulf Coast day."

Buffett's set list included favorites like "Son of a Son of a Sailor," "Come Monday" and "Margaritaville," with its line about "all of those tourists covered with oil." His biggest fans, who call themselves "Parrotheads," sang along with every word.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said the state might use its $15 million in tourism promotion money from BP to stage additional shows through the fall.

"With all the Gulf states running commercials saying, `Our beaches our beautiful,' we'll show people ours are," Riley said. "It would be something different, and a great way to get people to the coast."

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist even came to see Buffett.

"I think all the Gulf states will benefit from this," Crist said. "We're all in this together. God bless Jimmy Buffett."

The Buffett bash accomplished its goal of luring visitors to the coast despite the oil spill: Parking lots were fuller than they had been in days outside of hotels, condominiums, restaurants and souvenir stores in this beach town of 5,000 residents.

Organizers gave away 35,000 tickets, but an officials attendance count wasn't available.

The concert originally was scheduled for July 1 but had to be postponed because heavy surf from Hurricane Alex.

Buffett was born in Mississippi and grew up on the Alabama coast, and his sister owns a popular restaurant and marina on the intracoastal waterway within a few miles of the beach. Buffett played a surprise concert there on June 30 after the cancellation.

[wlhoppers]

God Bless Jimmy Buffett! What a wonderful gesture to the beleagured residents of the Gulf coast. I hope the concert gave them a respite from their worries and a chance to remember that there are so many of us who are pulling and praying for them. I also hope Buffett puts his song "When the Coast is Clear" out on the market (awesome song!) so the proceeds can benefit the gulf residents.
I'm a 50-year old Parrot Head and loved every minute of the concert (saw it courtesy of CMT - hope the broadcast it again.) Buffett rocks, always has!!

[vista8635]

How is that conservative anti-government deregulation working out for you?

[krzeaz]

Jimmy Buffet blamed Bush for the oil leak and that is just plain wrong.

[democracy5]

Cite a link to prove that, please.

[vista8635]

How is that conservative deregulation working out for you?

[Jhihmoac]

Parrotheads speaking out for the damages that even money can't fix...Way cool!

[tex4justice]

God bless the "Parrot Heads" and the support of the real people who live on the Gulf. It's a shame the Oil-baggers and Palin supporters can't come together and help out these folks who will be affected for a long time. It makes you wonder if they believe in a different God only for the rich since they preach their idealogy with God on their side. Kinda strange you don't see any of them showing any support or concern. I sure will think about that when I go to vote in the future.

[phwtb]

There ya go again, trying to lump everyone together. I AM a Christian. I AM a "Parrot Head" and have been for about 40 years. I am also a Republican. So don't go lumping me in with everyone else. All that does is mark you as being prejudice and judgmental. Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they are against you. Only children think that way.

Until you KNOW every single Republican out here personally, you don't have the ability to judge them. Only fools speak of things they know nothing of. Remember THAT when you go to cast your ballot.

And just for the sake of enlightenment to all of us, tex4justice, what is it you are doing personally to help out all those folks on the gulf?

[CHReed]

phwtb - I think you are being way too sensitive. tex4justice said nothing about "Republicans" and the fact is that Palin has led the charge on drilling in the gulf. And in case you were going to ask I am one of those folks on the gulf.