Jimmy Buffet’s song Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes was released in 1977 and has been a mainstay of his songs for several generations of Parrotheads. It is that kind of song that every radio station plays, and it sticks in your head for days. It is that type of song that helps you reflect on where you are in your daily life. It is that type of song that is needed in today’s world. His song reflects his life of travel to places and people who are different and more laid back than us North Americans. His life of traveling and learning about diverse cultures is something I aspired to when I was young. I haven’t made it to all those places he visited, but I will someday.

I first saw Jimmy Buffet in a concert at Fiddler’s Green in Denver. The boats were parked all around and people brought the party to him. We didn’t have an ocean, but we had the lawn. In the tropics, Jimmy would always acknowledge all the people out on boats, who didn’t have the expensive prime seats, but were a part of the happening. He would shout: “Hello, Boat People!” and those people would go wild. At Fiddler’s Green we were in the cheap seats way up at the top of the lawn, and he would shout: “Hello Lawn People!” and of course we would stand up and go crazy. Years later, we attended one of his last concerts in Denver which was at the Pepsi Center (now Ball Arena). He didn’t like that venue as much and a bunch of us were at the very top or behind the band. He would still shout up to us and even turned the band to those behind him for a few songs. He was an amazing and loving performer, and tried to give us all a wonderful performance, even in the cheap seats. His philosophy was to create a fun show and educate people on the importance of the oceans and the creatures and people that live there.

As many of you prepare to take off to islands with warmer climates for the holidays, I hope you will remember to change your emotional and mental state and become as laid back as the islanders do while you are there. I hope you relax and take in all the beauty that surrounds you. I hope the people on the islands can help you escape your daily grind and find a new perspective on life. I hope you can come back refreshed and ready to freely give to those in need, like most islanders do for you, no matter what your differences may be. I hope you bring a little of that island love and culture and Margaritaville lifestyle back to your neighborhood, especially to those mental and physical midwestern and northern cold climates. I hope you can break out of your comfort zone and give your heart freely to others who are different than you are.

If you are interested in learning more about Parrotheads, as well as his philanthropy, here are a few sites that caught my eye.

What is a Parrothead?

What Is A Parrot Head ?

https://www.jimmybuffett.com/philanthropy

We love and miss you, Jimmy. You lived a great life, and we want to follow in your footsteps. Rest in Peace. Happy Holidays everyone!