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Coral Reefer Band

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

Coral Reefer Band

The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett (until Buffett's death in September 2023). 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 ...
The Coral Reefer Band
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Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform during their Summerzcool Tour in June 2009.
Background information
OriginU.S.
Genres
Years active1974–present
Labels
Members
Past members
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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.

The band performed their final concert with Buffett on May 6, 2023, in San Diego, about three and a half months before Buffett's death in September of that year.[3] 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,[4] reiterating statements made by bandmate Robert Greenidge in a separate interview on September 9, 2023.[5]

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.[6] 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.[6]

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.[6][7] Proceeds from these shows went to the Buffett-founded nonprofit charity "Singing for a Change."[7] Will Kimbrough, one of Buffett's occasional collaborators and songwriting partners, joined the band at this time.[7] 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 Hotel’s Etess Arena in Atlantic City, NJ.[8] 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.

Current line-up

As of 2025, the band's lineup consists of:[9][10][11][12][7]

  • Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)
  • Scotty Emerick - lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2023–present)[6][7]
  • Robert Greenidge – steel drums (1983–present)[5]
  • Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998–present)
  • Tina Gullickson – harmony and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present)
  • Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
  • Will Kimbrough – lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2024–present; occasional guest 2003-2023)[7]
  • John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
  • Jim Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, bass (1989–present)
  • Peter Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar (1989–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)
  • Mick Utley - harmony and backing vocals, keyboards (2022–present)

Former members

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Former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:[13]

  • Dr. Kino Bachellier – percussion
  • Doug Bartenfeld – guitar
  • Roger Bartlett – harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar. Wrote “Dallas”. (1973–1977)[14]
  • M.L. Benoit – congas, percussion, backing vocals
  • Matt Betton – drums
  • David Briggs – piano
  • Jimmy Buffett – Leader. 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 (d. 2010)
  • Marshall Chapman – guitar, backing vocals (1987); co-writer "Last Mango in Paris," writer "The Perfect Partner"
  • Sam Clayton – congas, percussion, backing vocals, (1982–1988)
  • Vassar Clements – fiddle
  • Dominic Cortese – accordion
  • Sammy Creason – drums
  • Claudia Cummings – backing vocals (1991–1997, d. 2023)
  • Harry Dailey – bass guitar, harmony and backing vocals. Co-writer "Volcano". (1975–1982, d. 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 (d. 1991)
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • Randy Goodrum – keyboards
  • Dave Haney – bass guitar
  • Mary Harris – backing vocals and vocal arrangements.
  • Hadley Hockensmith – bass
  • Brie Howard – percussion, 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
  • Josh Leo – guitar
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1974–2011, d. 2011)
  • 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
  • Penny Nichols – backing vocals, including on Son of a Son of a Sailor (d. 2017)
  • Jay Oliver – keyboards
  • Tony Pace – drums
  • David "Cool" Persons – guitar, backing vocals
  • Norbert Putnam – double bass
  • Angel L Quinones Jr. – congas and percussion (1993-1994) - recorded on "Fruitcakes"
  • Phil Royster – congas
  • Timothy B. Schmit – bass guitar, harmony and backing vocals, coined the term Parrotheads
  • Keith Sykes – guitar
  • "Blind" Jay Spell – keyboards (d. 2011)
  • Paul Tabet – drums
  • Greg "Fingers" Taylor – harmonica, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (1975–2000, 2007, d. 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 guitar

Timeline

Honorary members and special guests

Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[13] Some of the more notable names are listed here.

Tours

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'With Jimmy Buffett

Without Jimmy Buffett

  • Keep the Party Going Tour (2024-2025)

References

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