A couple of lines from Jimmy Buffett’s gem song “A Pirate Looks at Forty” could sort of summarize the optimistic and pessimistic views of Atlantic City’s current state.
Pessimists see the city in an irreversible state of decline, unlikely to ever recover from the loss of gaming revenue to neighboring states (“the cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder”). Optimists view A.C. as having found ways to rebound from hard times often in its storied past and, with so much to offer, see it as well on its way to getting back in the black already (“in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen”).
Buffett, of course best known as a musician but also an entrepreneur and best-selling author, and Morris Bailey, Resorts’ principal owner and a New York City real estate mogul, are optimists. Each also achieved high levels of success by taking risks in enterprises they saw as worthy of investment. The Margaritaville complex — comprising 17,400 square feet inside Resorts plus the 8,000 square-foot LandShark Bar & Grill on the rebuilt Steeplechase Pier — represents the kind of multi-million-dollar investment that only those who see major rebound potential in Atlantic City would even give a passing thought to making.
“I think Jimmy and Morris were brilliant in their forethought because, clearly, the first thing that comes to mind when you visit the Jersey shore is the beach and ocean,” says Mark Giannantonio, president and CEO of Resorts who, like Bailey, was born and raised in A.C. “So what better spot to put a LandShark and a Margaritaville than right on the beach by the ocean? It’s such a good fit for our property specifically, and for Atlantic City and the Boardwalk in general.
“Morris is 110 percent committed to Atlantic City and its future, and is working so hard not only to improve this property but really to help change the way people think about Atlantic City. I see it in our employees, how loyal they are as a result of everything he’s doing. He’s really facilitated long-term change here at the property that I feel will sustain profitability.”
The Margaritaville project is slated to open Friday, May 24. It includes the Margaritaville restaurant, the Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar (with “flair” bartenders), a themed gaming area, two retail stores and the first coffee shop in any Margaritaville property (of which several exist worldwide), all on the land side of the Boardwalk. The LandShark Bar & Grill will be situated on 200 feet of beach frontage, and will be the only year-round, full-service bar and restaurant on the beach.
Bailey sunk $35 million into the A.C. Margaritaville project, and a figure rivaling that amount on upgrades inside Resorts since purchasing the property with the late Dennis Gomes in September 2010. Last summer he established a management agreement with Mohegan Sun in a move that would also allow the company to cross-market Resorts with its other casino properties in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
“He really has doubled down on not just the future of Resorts but on Atlantic City as well,” says Giannantonio. “This is not only going to be a game changer for us, but I really do think it’s going to help draw more visitors to Atlantic City.
“[Margaritaville]’s a great, fun project and it’s coupled with a property that was built in the 1920s and has a beautiful elegance to it. And when you merge that elegance with Margaritaville, it really kind of throws you into a place like South Beach [Miami] where there’s gorgeous properties and yet you also have many casual, fun venues as well. And nothing’s more fun than Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and LandShark Bar & Grill. It just blends really well.”
As stunning as the new construction is among the Margaritaville components in the casino, says Giannantonio, guests will really be blown away when they walk across the boards and into the Landshark Bar & Grill.
“The structure is so beautifully built — the timber, the glass doors, the deck that’s almost right on the sand,” he says. “Our goal is to just wow every customer that comes into our building — whether it’s to LandShark or Margaritaville or into our casino. We want guests to have a wonderful, fun and free-spirited time.”
About five years ago Buffett’s Margaritaville Holdings LLC nearly set up shop in the A.C.... [Read More]
Normally, when Jimmy Buffett comes to Texas, it’s the beginning of Spring, when everyone ditches their hoodies, long pants and woolen socks and pulls out the Hawaiian shirts, surfer shorts and flip flops.
Of course, Spring 2013 has been anything but normal.
Last Thursday’s Buffett show in Austin was moved to Friday due to high winds and a chill factor way below freezing.
Saturday night in Frisco might have been a little less dangerous, but after a 30-minute opening set from Buffett’s friend and fellow Baby Boomer rocker Jackson Browne, the sun had set, forcing Buffett and most of the Coral Reefer Band into long sleeves and sweatshirts, while the crowd huddled up to keep warm as the group strutted their stuff.
On April 27, Buffett kicked off the “Songs from St. Somewhere” tour in Nashville – with good reason. This show has a real country feel. He worked for Billboard magazine in Nashville after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi.
With tunes like “Ringling, Ringling,” “Back Where I Come From,” “Knee Deep,” “Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and a new song, “Too Drunk to Karaoke,” Buffett seems to be revisiting his country roots.
“Ringling” is a tune about a “dying little town” in Montana. “Back Where I Come From” was penned and released in 1990 by Mac McAnally, Buffett’s long-time musical director, and a native of Belmont, Mississippi. Kenny Chesney had a huge hit with the song on his 1996 album “Me and You,” and it made an appearance on Chesney’s “Greatest Hits” record in 2000. “Knee Deep” was recorded by Buffett and the Zac Brown Band in 2011.
Buffett teamed up with Alan Jackson for a brief 34-second appearance in “Five O’Clock Somewhere,” which was a huge hit for the pair in 2003, winning the Country Music Association’s Vocal Event of the Year. It became the first Top 40 hit for Buffett since the 1970s.
“Too Drunk to Karaoke,” a duet with Toby Keith, will be on Buffett’s new record due for release in July. It’s destined to be a cross-over hit in some circles, but I’m not sure it’s going to be a favorite with parrotheads.
As one fan who was sitting next to me said, “It just doesn’t sound like Jimmy.”
But, then again, that may be the plan – do something a bit different and see what happens.
At the end of the set, Buffett and his marvelous Coral Reefer Band paid tribute to George Jones, who died April 26.
Their cover of “Bartender’s Blues” may be one of the best ever, especially with the... [Read More]
Jimmy Buffett isn't performing at this year's Jazz Fest but that didn't stop him from coming to enjoy the music and the food. Here is an EXCLUSIVE interview with the legend, see more EXCLUSIVE clips at AXS TV and watch LIVE coverage of the 2013 New Orleans Jazz Fest May 3-5 on AXS TV.
The Boston Globe is reporting... A blockbuster concert benefiting the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings will be held May 30 at TD Garden. Live Nation’s Don Law, one of the event’s organizers, will announce the lineup Friday at a press conference at the House of Blues. We’d heard the benefit for The One Fund would include some of the biggest names in Boston music, and, apparently, we heard right.
According to people privy to the planning, among the acts expected to perform are Boston, the J. Geils Band, James Taylor and Carole King, New Kids on the Block, and Jimmy Buffett. (Although Buffett isn’t from Boston, the “Margaritaville” singer has a rabid fan base here and is close friends with Law.)
No word on what tickets to the rock ’n’ roll fund-raiser might cost or what, if anything, will be done to prevent ticket resellers from selling tickets at sky-high prices. In the days leading up to the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden, tickets originally priced from $150 to $2,500 were selling on the secondary market for several thousand dollars each.
The lineup for The One Fund benefit is stellar — each of the acts has sold out the Garden in the past — and we’re told more bands could be added. Reached at home in the Berkshires Thursday, Taylor said he was thrilled to be asked to participate and even happier to say yes. “The One Fund event at the Garden is destined to be a true Boston landmark,” he said in an e-mail. “From the promoters to the sound & lights, to the performers, and the Garden staff; everyone involved has responded from the heart in a spontaneous and simultaneous desire to be there, and to do what we can for the city we love.
Circuit of The Americas and Live Nation decided to postpone Thursday night's concert by Jimmy Buffett because of the unseasonably cold and windy weather in the Austin area.
The show will be Tonight instead.
Many of the Jimmy Buffett faithful--or Parrotheads--travel the country to see his concerts in big, nice RVs. Dozens were in the parking lot Thursday afternoon. While those fans still have to endure the cold and the wind while their tailgating, they've got their shelter.
Not everyone out there was so lucky.
Angela Lozano and her friends set up camp Wednesday afternoon. They have an SUV and a tent.
"We'll stay here a total of three nights camping," said Lozano.
But the change in weather, meant a change in plans.
"Wednesday night it wasn't quite this windy, so we were able to sleep in the tent for the night," Lozano said, "Tonight the tent just wasn't having it, so we took the air mattress out, shoved in the back of the car, and we're going to make the most of it--stay the night and get to see Jimmy tomorrow."
Fans came from all over, and they quickly put all perceptions of Texas weather aside.
"It's like 75-80 degrees back home in Detroit," said Buffett fan Tom Szalach,."It's like 50 something down here, so it's a little bit odd."
Unseasonably cold--but fans say it's no reason not to have fun.
"Weather obviously threw it off. I guess it's from too much wind, but Parrotheads, we'll just keep partying along," said Buffett fan Adam McConnell, "We'll figure it out."
All tickets and pre-paid parking passes for the Thursday show will be honored for the rescheduled concert, CoTA said. Additionally, “Parrotheads” who arrived early at Circuit of The Americas to camp and tail-gate prior to the show, can remain at their respective campsites for Thursday night and Friday night at no additional charge.
If patrons cannot come to the Friday night show and need a refund, they should call Ticketmaster Fan Support at 800-653-8000.
“We are honored to have Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band and Jackson Browne and his Band at our new world-class amphitheater, and we want the dedicated fans who traveled from all over the country to see this special performance to have an enjoyable evening,” Circuit President Steve Sexton said.
“We regret any inconvenience this has caused our patrons, and we will work to ensure our guests camping at Circuit of The Americas are as comfortable as possible.”
Parking lots for Friday’s rescheduled show will open at 9 a.m. The Circuit’s Grand Plaza pre-party will begin at 5 p.m. For more information about the event, including lists of the items allowed or not permitted inside the amphitheater.
A message from Jimmy to his fans...
Originally Posted by Jimmy Buffett
"Well, rule two of the road has reared it's ugly face after a great start to the St. Somewhere Tour in Nashville and Atlanta. That rule is "Never forget it can go to hell at any moment." That occurred today about noon, when I was having lunch and getting ready to go to work, when I got a call from my tour manager at the gig saying we had major wind problems. Wind gusts at the venue were too strong for us put up our circus tent and all the toys that go inside. Add to that a wind chill factor of below 40 at showtime. It certainly wasn't going to be comfortable for anybody but more importantly the safety of my crew, band and fans was an issue. So I made the decision to postpone.
This is not the first time we have had to postpone a show. There was the flood in California, the hurricane in the Gulf and now the windstorm in Texas. Rock n roll has never been predictable. I guess in forty years of doing it I have learned to roll with the punches and have wonderful fans who have been affected by things like this before. To those folks who can not stay until tomorrow night, I apologize for any inconvenience and will certainly refund your money if you can't make it. But, to those who can stay, the big top will go up and we will turn Austin into St. Somewhere tomorrow
You know him as one of the children in "Chanson Pour Les Petis Enfants.”
Mishka first met Jimmy Buffett when he was an entrepreneurial five year-old delivering fresh croissants to Jimmy’s sailboat in the French West Indies. The musician and young Mishka formed a fast bond, and Jimmy wrote and recorded a song about him called, “Chanson Pour Les Petis Enfants” which translates to, “Song For Little Children.” Mishka will be performing in Nashville, Atlanta, and Texas through early May!
Friday, April 26 - 9:00 PM
Mishka - Acoustic
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Nashville (indoor)
322 Broadway Nashville, TN
No Cover / All Ages / 2nd Floor Stage
Saturday, April 27 - 3PM
Street Party / Main Stage
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Nashville (outdoor)
322 Broadway Nashville, TN
No Cover / All Ages
Monday, April 29
Mishka - Acoustic
Terminal West
887 West Marietta
Studio C
Atlanta, GA30318
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
$10 /18+
A tropical escape will now be as close as the Jersey Shore when the Margaritaville complex opens its doors May 24, 2013 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. The new addition features a Margaritaville restaurant, LandShark Bar & Grill, Margaritaville themed casino, Five O'clock Somewhere bar, retail store, and coffee shop. Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville will transport guests to the island destination of their memories or dreams. Visitors strolling along the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk will literally walk through the laid-back, island-inspired, fun Margaritaville experience with the restaurant and casino on the landside of the Boardwalk and LandShark Bar & Grill directly on the beach.
The Margaritaville Restaurant is just over 14,000 sq. ft. and is expected to seat 448 guests. It will feature a stage for nightly live entertainment, a tiki bar and Buffett-inspired accent pieces throughout including a giant blender at the restaurant's entrance. A seasonal exterior deck on the Boardwalk will allow guests to enjoy alfresco dining or a drink topped off with a gentle ocean breeze. Local residents and visitors looking for a cool, casual place to have a good time as well as devoted Parrot Heads "looking for their lost shaker of salt," will all find what they are looking for and much more. Directly next door, the Margaritaville Retail Store gives visitors the opportunity to extend their visit by taking the music, fashion, and flavors of Margaritaville home.
Ideally sited on 200 feet of prime beach frontage at the site of the Old Steeplechase Pier, LandShark Bar & Grill will bring its guests to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The 8,000 sq. ft. Bar & Grill will seat approximately 370 guests and will be the only year-round full-service bar and restaurant on the sand side of the Boardwalk. Inspired by the great "beach joints" that once dotted the Atlantic Coast, LandShark Bar & Grill will feature retractable walls to provide spectacular views of the ocean and place guests in the center of the action on the beach and Boardwalk. Inside, guests will find daily entertainment in a setting of surfing artifacts to honor the great Atlantic City surfing tradition. Further connecting its guests to the fun on the sand, Resorts Casino Hotel will provide beach chair and umbrella service on the beach adjacent to LandShark Bar & Grill.
Besides serving up the famed margaritas, frozen concoctions and cold beer, Margaritaville will offer its signature Cheeseburger in Paradise, as well as, island-inspired favorites like Jamaica Mistaica Wings, Coconut Shrimp and Key Lime Pie. The food is prepared in true Margaritaville style, laid back, fun and one-of-a-kind. LandShark Bar and... [Read More]
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