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Coral Reefer Band

Touring and recording act of Jimmy Buffett From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coral Reefer Band
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The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, backing him until Buffett's death in September 2023 and then continuing on without him. The band's name alludes to both coral reefs (in line with Buffett's tropical-themed music) and "reefer" (slang for marijuana).

Quick facts The Coral Reefer Band, Background information ...
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With Buffett

Fingers Taylor, an original Coral Reefer, would discover Buffett performing solo one evening at The Hub on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in 1970.[2] This resulted in Taylor contributing harmonica accompaniment for part of the performance, the beginning of their long-term collaboration.

In 1975, Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band.[3] He credits his future wife for cleaning up their look, replacing their ripped Levi jeans and collarless shirts.[3] The band was the opening act for the Eagles in August 1975.[4]

The band performed their final concert with Buffett on May 6, 2023, in San Diego.[5] Buffett made two further concert appearances, as an unannounced guest at concerts by Coral Reefer Band members, in Amagansett, New York, on June 11 and in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on July 2,[6][7][8] before his death in September of that year.[5]

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After Buffett

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On October 30, 2023, Mac McAnally stated in an interview that the Coral Reefer Band would continue touring and performing Buffett's music at his request,[9] reiterating statements made by bandmate Robert Greenidge in a separate interview on September 9, 2023.[10]

The band reunited for the first time since Buffett's passing on April 11, 2024, and served as the house band for the Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett concert at the Hollywood Bowl.[11] At the concert, McAnally introduced Scotty Emerick as a full-time member of the group.

In May 2024, the band played their first full show after Buffett's death (not counting the Hollywood Bowl tribute concert) at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, where they were joined by guest Sonny Landreth, who had also worked alongside Buffett and the band on various occasions before Buffett's death.[11]

In June, the band announced they would be doing three shows in August as part of the Keep The Party Going Tour, at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama, on August 1; the Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia on August 2; and the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 4.[11][12] Proceeds from these shows went to the Buffett-founded nonprofit charity Singing for a Change.[12] Will Kimbrough, one of Buffett's occasional collaborators and songwriting partners, joined the band at this time.[12] The shows got a positive response from audiences.[13] All three shows were sold-out or close to sellouts including over 15,000 people attending the Cincinnati show. The band indicated more dates would be added in the future. In December 2024 additional shows were announced for 2025 one January 24 at the Hard Rock Hotels Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[14] and two scheduled for March in Jacksonville and Hollywood, Florida. The band announced at the Atlantic City show that several more shows will take place during the summer months of 2025.

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The Coral Reefer Band performs "A Pirate Looks at Forty" in 2025. An empty microphone stand at center stage represents the absence of Buffett.

In the post-Buffett era, Mac McAnally is the Coral Reefer bandleader.[13] But shows are performed with an empty microphone at center stage, symbolizing the absence of Buffett.[15] Lead vocals are distributed around the group,[15] with McAnally and new member Scotty Emerick taking the most.[16] A review of the Jacksonville show in The Florida Times-Union said, "How do you replace a legend like Jimmy Buffett? You don't, of course. ... But if you're his long-time Coral Reefer Band, you can still play his songs well enough ..."[15]

In February, the band announced they would be going on tour as the opening act for The Doobie Brothers for 20 shows between August and September 2025.[17] This was the first prolonged effort to keep the Coral Reefers going.[13] Buffett and the Doobies had each opened for the other at various times during their careers,[13] and the two shared some of the same sensibilities.[17] A review in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that there was inevitably "less of the barefoot, carefree Parrothead vibe" than at Buffett shows but that "the talent runs deep in this crew and it did a stellar job with the music".[16]

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Current line-up

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Band introductions, 2025, with Nadirah Shakoor receiving applause

As of 2025, the band's lineup consists of:[18][19][20][21][12]

  • Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998–present)
  • Robert Greenidge – steel drums (1983–present)[10]
  • Peter Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar (1989–present)
  • Jim Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, bass (1989–present)
  • Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
  • John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
  • Mac McAnally – lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, slide guitar, dobro (1994–present)
  • Nadirah Shakoor – harmony and backing vocals, lead vocals (1995–present)
  • Tina Gullickson – harmony and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present)
  • Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)
  • Mick Utley - harmony and backing vocals, keyboards (2022–present)
  • Scotty Emerick - lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2023–present)[11][12]
  • Will Kimbrough – lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2024–present; occasional guest 2003-2023)[12]

Former members

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Former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:[22]

  • Dr. Kino Bachellier – percussion
  • Doug Bartenfeld – guitar
  • Roger Bartlett – harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar. Wrote “Dallas”. (1973–1977)[23]
  • M.L. Benoit – congas, percussion, backing vocals
  • Matt Betton – drums
  • David Briggs – piano (died 2025)
  • Jimmy Buffett – vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; his death)
  • Kenny Buttrey – drums, percussion (1977–1978; died 2004)
  • Rich Calhoun – drums
  • Hamilton Camp – guitar
  • Buzz Cason – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Barry Chance – lead guitar, backing vocals (died 2010)
  • Marshall Chapman – guitar, backing vocals (1987); co-writer "Last Mango in Paris," writer "The Perfect Partner"
  • Sam Clayton – backing vocals, congas, percussion (1982–1988)
  • Vassar Clements – fiddle
  • Dominic Cortese – accordion
  • Sammy Creason – drums
  • Claudia Cummings – backing vocals (1991–1997; died 2023)
  • Harry Dailey – bass guitar, harmony and backing vocals. Co-writer "Volcano". (1975–1982; died 2003)
  • Tim Drummond – bass guitar (1986–1988)
  • Philip Fajardo – drums (1975–1976)
  • Lanny Fiel – guitar
  • Rick Fiel – bass guitar
  • Daniel "Stiles" Francisco – trumpet
  • Mike Gardner – drums (died 1991)
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • Randy Goodrum – keyboards
  • Dave Haney – bass guitar
  • Mary Harris – backing vocals, vocal arrangements
  • Hadley Hockensmith – bass
  • Brie Howard – percussion, backing vocals
  • Dena Iverson – backing vocals
  • Michael Jeffry – guitar, harmony vocals
  • Shane Keister – Moog synthesizer
  • Don Kloetzke – backing vocals
  • Tim Krekel – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Russ Kunkel – drums
  • Amy Lee – saxophone. Co-writer of "Fruitcakes". (1991–2005)
  • Larry Lee – guitar, drums, keyboards
  • Mike Cox - fiddle, guitar
  • Josh Leo – guitar
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1974–2011; died 2011)
  • Katherine Maisnik – backing vocals
  • Deborah McColl – backing vocals
  • Andy McMahon – organ, Fender Rhodes
  • Vince Melamed – keyboards
  • T.C. Mitchell – saxophone, flute (1994–2005)
  • Farrell Morris – percussion
  • Bob Naylor – harmonica, backing vocals
  • The Neville Brothers — backing vocals
  • Penny Nichols – backing vocals, including on Son of a Son of a Sailor (died 2017)
  • Jay Oliver – keyboards
  • Tony Pace – drums
  • Norbert Putnam – double bass
  • Angel L Quinones Jr. – congas and percussion (1993-1994) - recorded on "Fruitcakes"
  • Zachary Richard – acadian accordion
  • Phil Royster – congas
  • Timothy B. Schmit – bass guitar, harmony and backing vocals, coined the term Parrotheads (1983?-1986?)
  • Keith Sykes – guitar
  • "Blind" Jay Spell – keyboards (died 2011)
  • Paul Tabet – drums
  • Greg "Fingers" Taylor – harmonica, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (1975–2000, 2007; died 2023)
  • Bobby Thompson – banjo
  • Michael Utley – keyboards (1975–2024)
  • Jerry Jeff Walker – guitar, backing vocals, composer
  • Bergen White – trombone
  • Ed "Lump" Williams – bass guitar
  • Reggie Young – electric lead guitar (died 2019)
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Timeline

Honorary members and special guests

Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[22] Some of the more notable names are listed here.

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Tours

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With Jimmy Buffett

Without Jimmy Buffett

  • Keep the Party Going Tour (2024-2025)
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References

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