Albany, Oregon, U.S.A. – When Jimmy Buffett, an American singer-songwriter known for the acclaimed songs “Margaritaville” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” died on Friday, I lost an important connection with my beloved uncle.
Because my uncle Mi’k loved Buffett’s music so much, it became a big part of my life, too.
Mi’k’s favorite song of Buffett’s was “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
I still listen to it because I enjoy it and to honor my uncle, who died of cancer several years ago.
Buffett’s music – which was a mix of several genres – echoes throughout the entire world. His 1977 hit “Margaritaville” reached number 8 on the Billboard charts.
It made a difference.
According to the website countrynow.com, Buffett and singer Alan Jackson won the Country Music Association Award for Event of the Year for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” The tune also was named the number three country song of the decade by Billboard, the website said.
Buffett, whose discography included 36 albums, was 76 years old when he died of skin cancer.
His singer-songwriter profession spanned from 1964-2023. What most people don’t know is that before Buffett was a successful musician, he wrote for Billboard magazine from 1969 to 1970, according to Billboard.
He lived a full life.
I’ve felt a connection to Buffett’s music for a long time because of my uncle.
Mi’k was my older brother A.J.’s nurse. My brother died as a baby from a medical condition.
Mi’k was more than a nurse. He always took care of my parents, especially during A.J.’s illness.
Once when he was working as A.J.’s nurse, Mi’k bought a parrot stuffed animal for my brother.
Buffett’s fans are called “parrot heads” and Mi’k was definitely a parrot head.
Jimmy Buffett’s music will always bring me comfort because of all the memories of Mi’k it brings me.
I would have loved to have met Buffett, but he is probably in paradise now, sippin’ margaritas.
McKenzie Andersen is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
