During a recent discussion with Mac McAnally on a joint broadcast of Radio Margaritaville and No Shoes Radio, Kenny Chesney pays a heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Buffett while acknowledging the profound influence he had on his music and career. “I sang so many Jimmy Buffett songs in college for tips, I mean, I felt like I owed him some money,” Chesney joked with McAnally, a longtime member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. “Jimmy’s dreams validated my journey and my dreams,” Chesney shared. “It just showed that with hard work and loving people and being creative and giving the world positive energy, a lot could come from that.” Following Buffett’s death in 2023, Chesney delivered a touching musical tribute to him at the CMA Awards, and also honored him during his posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. In February, Chesney collaborated with McAnally during his debut at the Ryman Auditorium, where they performed Buffett’s iconic tune, “A Pirate Looks at Forty.” (Holler)
