I am now officially a Parrothead!!!

I was never really into Jimmy Buffett's music. I mean, I liked "Margaritaville", but it never made me want to go out and buy his albums or see his concerts.

Then, when Jen's cheer team competed at Universal Studios in Orlando, we had a team dinner in the Margaritaville Restaurant, and of course Jimmy's music played in the background. It was fun.

But it wasn't until the following year that I started downloading Buffett into my iTunes. I have a friend, Mitch, who is a Parrothead, and I was putting a "Secret Santa" gift together for him.

Since it was in my iTunes library anyhow, I started listening to the music.

And I liked it.

And now, with the cruise coming up, I am listening to all sorts of "tropical" stuff.

So when Newsday had a contest to give away tickets to Buffett's concert at Madison Square Garden,I decided to enter.

So last Friday I got an email from the newspaper, advising me that I had won two tickets to the concert!!!!

I was soooooo excited.

Last night was the last performance of his "Summerzcool" tour.

The evening started when we picked up the tickets at the box office. (click to enlarge if you can't read the ticket)

Yes, they gave us FLOOR SEATS!!!!

We left the Garden to grab a bite to eat.  When we came back, two men were working the crowd -- they were wearing tropical garg and walking around on stilts, making balloon hats for everyone:

 

We bought Land shark concert t-shirts, of course.

and there was a guy from Radio Margaritaville interviewing people randomly -- and he talked to me! I don't know if the interview actually aired, but it was fun!

inside the auditorium was like a beach party. many of the fans dressed as if they were actually at a beach party, in Hawaiian shirts, even a few hula skirts. the stilt walkers continued to work the crowd, using mini beach balls in a basketball game, while larger beach balls were being batted around the room. people bring things-- like stuffed parrots, inflatable toys. I especially liked the pirate:

the stage was set:

There was no opening act, Jimmy and the Coral Reefer Band were the only ones to perform.

that picture was hard to get -- as soon as the music began I realized "floor seats" was a misnomer, they really should be called "floor place-to-put-your-coat-and-bag-while-you-dance-and-scream-for-almost-three-hours", and it wasn't until he sang a slow song and everyone sat down for a few minutes that I was actually able to get a picture with my phone. (Drew has better pictures from his camera, he said he'd email them to me.)


Here's the set list from last night:

1. Lage Nom Ai
2. Stars on the Water
3. Summzercool
4. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere (w/Mac)
5. Boat Drinks
6. Conky Tonkin’ (w/Nadirah)
7. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
8. Volcano
9. Cheeseburger in Paradise
10. Come Monday (The Beach Band)
11. Son of a Son of a Sailor
12. Brown Eyed Girl
13. One Particular Harbour
14. A Lot to Drink About (Acoustic)

Intermission

15. My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don’t Love Jesus (Ukulele version)
16. Last Mango in Paris
17. Nobody From Nowhere


18. Jamaica Mistaica
19. Let Me Love Again (Ilo Ferreira)
20. Gypsies in the Palace
21. Surfin’ in a Hurricane
22. Southern Cross
23. A Pirate Looks at Forty
24. Margaritaville
25. Fins

First Encore:

26. Last Man Standing
27. We are the People our Parents Warned us About

Second Encore:

28. Defying Gravity (Solo)

the concert was absolutely AMAZING.

I can't wait for him to announce his toru dates for 2010, I would love to see him at Jones Beach next summer!!!