Tennessee HJR 686: Memorials, Death - Jimmy Buffett -

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 686
By Hemmer

HJR0686
010450
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A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of legendary singer-
songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
the passing of Jimmy Buffett; and
WHEREAS, a singer, songwriter, author, sailor, pilot, and entrepreneur, Mr. Buffett was
a folk hero beloved by so many, especially his devoted following of Parrot Heads; and
WHEREAS, born James William Buffett on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula,
Mississippi, Jimmy Buffett was one of three children born to Mary Loraine "Peets" and James
Delaney Buffett, Jr.; he was raised Roman Catholic in Mobile, Alabama, where he took up the
trombone at St. Ignatius Catholic School before attending another Catholic institution in Mobile,
the McGill Institute; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Buffett found success primarily with albums and enjoyed a few years on
the pop singles chart, with "Margaritaville," his 1977 breakthrough hit, reaching the pop Top 10;
his music was often described as "Gulf and western," a nod to his fusion of laid-back twang and
island-themed lyrics; and
WHEREAS, his oeuvre also includes his first Top-40 hit, "Come Monday," as well as "A
Pirate Looks at Forty," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," and "Son of a Son of a Sailor"; for a time
during the early days of his career, Mr. Buffett lived in Nashville and worked as a journalist for
Billboard magazine while trying to break into the country market; and
WHEREAS, accompanied by his Coral Reefer Band, Jimmy Buffet performed live shows
replete with singalong anthems and festive tropical iconography, making him a perennial draw
on the summer concert circuit, where he built an ardent fan base; and

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WHEREAS, in addition to touring and recording, Mr. Buffett wrote music for movies such
as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Urban Cowboy; he also appeared in movies, including
Rancho Deluxe and Jurassic World, and on television shows, including the Hawaii Five-O
revival of the 2010s, on which he starred as the helicopter pilot Frank Bama, a character from
his bestselling 1992 novel, Where Is Joe Merchant?; and
WHEREAS, an accomplished author, he was one of only a few writers to top both The
New York Times' fiction and nonfiction bestseller lists, the first of his three No. 1 best sellers
being Tales From Margaritaville (1989); and
WHEREAS, in 1985, the same year he released the bestselling album of his career, the
hits compilation Songs You Know by Heart, Jimmy Buffett opened the first of his many
Margaritaville stores, and thus the same locales that provided grist for his songwriting became
the theme of a business empire that would go on to include not only the restaurant franchise,
but a hotel chain, boutique tequila, and t-shirt and footwear lines, as well; and
WHEREAS, he was also devoted to his family and always endeavored to remain true to
family values of the highest order; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol Buffett; daughters,
Savannah Jane Buffett and Sarah Buffett; son, Cameron Buffett; two grandsons; and two
sisters, Lucy Buffett and Laurie Buffett; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Buffett leaves behind an indelible legacy and a trove of songs that
will forever remain touchstones of popular music; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to
remember the bountiful life of this exceptional entertainer and human being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of James William "Jimmy" Buffett, reflecting fondly

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upon his monumental career, his impeccable character, and his stalwart commitment to living
the examined life with courage and conviction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.