Alan Jackson and Zac Brown performing a tribute to Jimmy Buffett at the 2023 CMA Awards.Photo:Terry Wyatt/Getty
Terry Wyatt/Getty
The lateJimmy Buffettshared a special connection with country music, and the genre is paying tribute to his legacy.
During the 2023CMA Awardsat Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday,Kenny Chesney,Mac McAnally,Alan JacksonandZac Brown Bandteamed up to deliver a tribute performance to the “Margaritaville” musician, who died on Sept. 1 at age 76from Merkel cell carcinoma.
Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally performing a tribute to Jimmy Buffett at the 2023 CMA Awards.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Chesney, 55, and McAnally, 66, kicked off the heartfelt performance. Sitting on stools, the two country music stars joined together for a stripped down cover of “A Pirate Looks at Forty.” As footage of the late folk legend paddle boarding in sunny ocean waters played behind them, the singer-songwriters each took on different verses before harmonizing together.
“Jimmy made a whole world full of friends,” McAnally changed the lyrics to “just a few friends” in the song — making for a touching moment.
Alan Jackson and Zac Brown at the 2023 CMA Awards.Terry Wyatt/Getty
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McAnally was one of Buffett’s backing instrumentalists in the Coral Reefer Band until his death and produced dozens of songs for the performer across several of his albums. Three weeks after Buffett’s death, McAnally took tosocial mediaand shared an emotional statement, calling the musician “the closest thing I ever had to a brother.”
Jimmy Buffett.Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Before Jackson worked with Buffett on 2004’s “Hey Good Lookin',” the pair joined forces for the 2003 single “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere,” which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on theBillboardU.S. Hot Country Songs chart and sold over three million units in the States.
They also collaborated on a song called “Boats to Build,” which also appeared on theLicense to Chillalbum, as well as 2006’s “Barefootin'” for the filmHoot. Jackson quoted the lyrics of “Boats to Build” onsocial mediafollowing Buffett’s death, also writing, “RIP my friend.”
Zac Brown Band teamed up with Buffett on the 2010 single “Knee Deep” from the band’sYou Get What You Givealbum. The song reached No. 1 on theBillboardU.S. Hot Country Songs chart and still gets performed in the group’s concerts as of late.
“Hope you’re knee deep in the water somewhere in paradise today,@jimmybuffett,” wrote the band onsocial mediafollowing Buffett’s death, referencing the song. “We were honored to know you and to make music with you. Fins up.”
source: people.com
