After over 20 years in Key West, the Meeting of the Minds Parrot Head gathering moved to coastal Alabama. There were many factors that forced the move (affordability being one of them) but the timing couldn’t have been better.

Since Jimmy Buffett passed away this past Labor Day weekend, it seemed even more fitting to be celebrating his music and lifestyle in his old stomping grounds. The Hangout, Florabama, and Lulu’s (Lucy Buffett’s establishment) were the official host venues, but there was trop rock music in most every restaurant/bar from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach.

My eight hour drive (only an hour longer than to Key West) went smoothly and I arrived in plenty of time to catch the tribute show on Wednesday evening. It was a fantastic way to kick off the event as dozens of musicians (including members of his band, the Coral Reefers) covered some beloved JB tunes. I could already tell it was going to be a wonderful few days!