Something only 7 writers have EVER done

[DWSTXS]

Watching Letterman last night, I saw Jimmy Buffet was a guest, and I watched, because Letterman mentioned that Buffet has done something that only 7 other writers have ever accomplished: he has been No. 1 on both the fiction and non-fiction lists.

This, is from Wikipedia:
Buffett has written 3 No. 1 best sellers. Tales from Margaritaville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_Margaritaville) and Where Is Joe Merchant? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Is_Joe_Merchant%3F) both spent over seven months on the New York Times (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times) Best Seller fiction list. His book A Pirate Looks At Fifty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Pirate_Looks_At_Fifty) went straight to No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller non-fiction list, making him one of seven authors in that list's history to have reached No. 1 on both the fiction and non-fiction lists. The other six authors who have accomplished this are Ernest Hemingway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway), John Steinbeck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck), William Styron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Styron), Irving Wallace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Wallace), Dr. Seuss (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss) and Mitch Albom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_Albom).
Buffett also co-wrote two children's books, The Jolly Mon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jolly_Mon) and Trouble Dolls, with his eldest daughter, Savannah Jane Buffett. The original hard cover release of the The Jolly Mon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jolly_Mon) included a cassette tape recording of him and Savannah Jane reading the story accompanied by an original score written by Michael Utley.
Buffett's novel A Salty Piece of Land (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Salty_Piece_of_Land), was released on November 30 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_30), 2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004), and the first edition of the book included a CD single of the song "A Salty Piece Of Land", which was recorded for License to Chill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License_to_Chill). The book was a New York Times best seller soon after its release.
Buffett's latest title, Swine Not?, was released May 13, 2008

MY question is this: would J B have become a best-selling author if he hadn't been so well-known to begin with?

Did his writing success come only as a result of his previous successes?

He stated on the show that his first love was writing, not music.

[Willowmound]

Who's Jimmy Buffet?

[ACEnders]

Who's Jimmy Buffet?

That's a joke...right?

[Willowmound]

No. :)

His name sounds like it should belong to a cartoon character...

[zegota]

He's a musician who came into popularity during my parent's generation, I believe. His music is somewhat relaxing, if I recall... he sings about things like margaritas and cheeseburgers.

[Willowmound]

Sounds lovely.

[blacbird]

He's also the nephew of multi-billionaire investor Warren Buffett (the surname is spelled with double-t).

His songs always are tuneful with clever lyrics, so he's definitely got ability with words. I haven't read any of his prose writing, though.

But would he have made these mega-seller lists straight up on the books? Or would he still be sending out queries and getting a steady stream of Notforuses? Which is more likely?

caw

[donroc]

Nothing like having a "platform" which is why I am glad I have not felt the need to write illustrated children's books. Every actor, singer, royal, and politician has "written" one it seems.

[DWSTXS]

Boy, it sure is hard to get a bona fide opinion out of anyone today.

Blacbird almost gave us one. But ended with the exact question I asked up front.

I do NOT think he would have been a best-seller without his previous name-success up front.

[MelodyO]

Ahahaha! For some reason I thought your post said WARREN Buffet, and boy, did that change the story. I thought for sure Warren would have had at least a couple of financial books on the best seller list...and two kids' books?!? LOL!

Ahem. All in all, I think Jimmy Buffet has the best life in the world. ::hands you a margarita::

PS I'd have to read the books before I passed judgement on his success. I mean, not ALL best selling authors were famous singers first. :)

[melaniehoo]

I don't think he would have had his writing success if he weren't as well known.

[DWSTXS]

Ahahaha! For some reason I thought your post said WARREN Buffet, and boy, did that change the story. I thought for sure Warren would have had at least a couple of financial books on the best seller list...and two kids' books?!? LOL!

Ahem. All in all, I think Jimmy Buffet has the best life in the world. ::hands you a margarita::

PS I'd have to read the books before I passed judgement on his success. I mean, not ALL best selling authors were famous singers first. :)

But, to a publisher, they have to be thinking that no matter how good, or bad, the writing is, let's just say that it's very average, VERY mediocre, that the book WILL sell Xthousand number of copies, JUST because it's Jimmy Buffett and all his fans will buy.

Therefore, it WOULDN'T have even been published without his previous success and built-in fan base.
In other words, if YOU or I turned in that SAME very average and VERY mediocre book, would it have seen the light of day?

[NeuroFizz]

There is an "in-between" here that may be a bit overlooked. The bookends:

His name probably (certainly?) helped get the initial attention of agents and editors, particularly with the non-fiction work, but the fiction as well.

His name probably helped land the books on the bestseller lists.

The "in-between" - either he has some writing talent or help from good editors (or both) to get the books published and read enough to make the lists. And, he certainly has the self-discipline to get the books written and out there.

I say, kudos to him, particularly for the fiction work (which I haven't read). If he does have a beyond-cushy financial situation, I really think he is showing us all something by taking on these challenges (I presume he is not using ghost writers).

[DWSTXS]

There is an "in-between" here that may be a bit overlooked. The bookends:

His name probably (certainly?) helped get the initial attention of agents and editors, particularly with the non-fiction work, but the fiction as well.

His name probably helped land the books on the bestseller lists.

The "in-between" - either he has some writing talent or help from good editors (or both) to get the books published and read enough to make the lists. And, he certainly has the self-discipline to get the books written and out there.

I say, kudos to him, particularly for the fiction work (which I haven't read). If he does have a beyond-cushy financial situation, I really think he is showing us all something by taking on these challenges (I presume he is not using ghost writers).


His 'financial situation' is that he makes 100 million + per year.
I am sure he has writing talent, I just am not so sure that his actual writing talent got him past the front door of the publishing houses and initial agenting process.

Yes, he is showing us all something by continuing to write even though he is set for life. Like I said, he pretty much said that writing was his first love way back when, before he attained any fame.

[blacbird]

Sounds lovely.

"Tripped on my flip-flop,
Stepped on a pop-top,
Cut my heel,
Had to cruise on back home.

But there's booze in the blender,
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction
That helps me hang on."

-- J. Buffett

caw

[Phaeal]

Heh, Buffett has enough fans under his sway to ensure his literary success.

Jimmy B: Attend me, oh Parrotheads!

Parrotheads (in perfect unison): What is thy bidding, our master?

Jimmy B: In order to get tickets to my concerts, you must now show up clutching one of my books.

Parrotheads: It will be done, oh Lord.

Jimmy B: One book per ticket.

Parrotheads: Thank you, Great One, thank you!

[IceCreamEmpress]

Jimmy Buffett's books are quite well-written.

But if he weren't a big recording star, they'd probably be selling in the tens of thousands, not in the hundreds of thousands.

I do think he probably would have been able to sell his books, though, just as Kinky Friedman would have been able to without his (much smaller) celebrity as a performer. The same qualities that make their books interesting are apparent in their songs--clever ideas, good ear for the way people actually talk, goofy wordplay.

[mikeland]

First of all, Jimmy Buffet and Warren Buffet are related? Really? For some reason that strikes me as extraordinarily weird.

But moving past that ....

I haven't read the books. But I wouldn't assume they are awful. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he definitely has a distinct style that might translate well into a beach read. But like I said, I haven't read the books.

There are lots and lots of writers on the shelves who had a leg up to get there. Celebrities, surely. Kids and spouses of famous writers (and other celebrities). People who grew up in NY hanging out with agents and editors. Some of them write decent books; some of them write crap. But lots of bad books get published by unknown authors too. Maybe they caught the trend of the moment or they had an intriguing life story. Who knows?

But moving past that ....

I seriously doubt that Wikipedia is right about the fiction/nonfiction bestseller stat. Only seven in the history of the lists? First of all, that list doesn't include Stephen King and John Grisham, who have both penned non-fiction books (in 2000 and 2006 respectively). You're telling me that those non-fic books, which were released when they were already megastars, did not debut at number 1?

[NeuroFizz]

Celebrities and other "notables" will always short-circuit the system and immediately create buyer frenzy. But so do those well established authors who earned their readership the by-the-bootstraps way. I'm convinced some of the well-knowns could bind a stack of used toilet paper and still hit a bestseller list (some critics claim this isn't too far from the truth for some writers).

Let's see how Buffet's newest book does because he is now entering a land where his reputation may no longer create the same frenzy, particularly if his initial readers don't like the quality of his work.

One sure-fire way to get a good hint about his talent, though--read his books.

[DWSTXS]

First of all, Jimmy Buffet and Warren Buffet are related? Really? For some reason that strikes me as extraordinarily weird.

But moving past that ....

I haven't read the books. But I wouldn't assume they are awful. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he definitely has a distinct style that might translate well into a beach read. But like I said, I haven't read the books.

There are lots and lots of writers on the shelves who had a leg up to get there. Celebrities, surely. Kids and spouses of famous writers (and other celebrities). People who grew up in NY hanging out with agents and editors. Some of them write decent books; some of them write crap. But lots of bad books get published by unknown authors too. Maybe they caught the trend of the moment or they had an intriguing life story. Who knows?

But moving past that ....

I seriously doubt that Wikipedia is right about the fiction/nonfiction bestseller stat. Only seven in the history of the lists? First of all, that list doesn't include Stephen King and John Grisham, who have both penned non-fiction books (in 2000 and 2006 respectively). You're telling me that those non-fic books, which were released when they were already megastars, did not debut at number 1?

Well, the first thing I thought of, in regards to that stat, is Stephen King.

But, the stat says No. 1 on both lists, so maybe that's it.

I wouldn't really know what sources to use to check it out though, for other names. Surely Stephen King and John Grisham should be on there too.

Isn't Wikipedia the correct source of all knowledge and information on earth? It is infallible, is it not?

LOL

[Mr Sci Fi]

Do you think his success in publishing has anything to do with the fact that he's... um.. Jimmy Buffet?

I've never read any of his work (I like his music, though) so I can't comment on the writing.

[Willowmound]

"Tripped on my flip-flop,
Stepped on a pop-top,
Cut my heel,
Had to cruise on back home.

But there's booze in the blender,
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction
That helps me hang on."

-- J. Buffett

caw

Nice.

[WriteKnight]

I'm trying to remember if it was Bradbury or Asimov, (or RAH?) who sent out a short story under an assumed name to his publishing house - over the transom. It was rejected. He handed it to directly his editor, and of course they ran it.

Yeah, having any kind of 'name/fame/connection' always is, and always will be a help. Beyond that, its gotta be fairly decent.

[Southern_girl29]

He's not a bad writer. I don't think he would have been a bestseller without already being a famous singer, but I don't think he would have been a total failure as a writer either.

[Kitty Pryde]

He's also the nephew of multi-billionaire investor Warren Buffett (the surname is spelled with double-t).



Sorry, but no (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/06/11/100060549/index.htm). Jimmy Buffett is no relation to Warren Buffett.

By the way, he does write cheesy songs, but "Where Is Joe Merchant" is a GREAT vacation book.

[blacbird]

Sorry, but no (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/06/11/100060549/index.htm). Jimmy Buffett is no relation to Warren Buffett.

I stand corrected (well, sit, actually). Sometimes everything you know you know is just plain wrong, you know?

caw

[PattiTheWicked]

True Jimmy Buffett story: years ago, I was acquainted with a couple named Shelly and Dan, and they were HUGE Buffett fans. Dan even had a parrothead tattoo. When they got married, for their honeymoon they went to key West. When they arrived, it was oh-dark-thirty, and far too early to check into their hotel. So they decided (at like 4 am) to go see Jimmy Buffett's house.

Of course, it was too dark to see the house, so they just parked on the side of the street and figured they'd catch a couple of hours of sleep, and when the sun came up, they'd see Jimmy's house, take a picture of it, and then go on to their hotel.

Dawn breaks, and they awake to a tapping on their driver's side window. There's Jimmy Buffett, in his bathrobe and flip flops, come down to get the morning paper, and asking them if they had car trouble. Dan blurts out, "No, we just wanted to take a picture of your house."

Next thing they know, he takes them up to the house, fixes them bacon and eggs for breakfast, and sends them on their way well fed and their camera full of pictures.

When Dan and Shelly got divorced a few years later, the one thing they fought over was who got the Jimmy Buffett photos.

[Sarita]

Great story, Patti. :)
Ahem. All in all, I think Jimmy Buffet has the best life in the world. ::hands you a margarita::

Actually, he's a total workaholic. He rarely relaxes from music, producing, writing, or his record label. He's a busy busy business man. And he's totally proud of that fact. Did anyone see him on 60 Minutes a couple years ago? He said something like, "I'm the guy most of my fans hate. I work all the time." Very interesting.

As to Doyle's question:MY question is this: would J B have become a best-selling author if he hadn't been so well-known to begin with?

Did his writing success come only as a result of his previous successes?
I think most of the opinions here are correct. His fame helped sell more books. But he does have talent and a crazy work ethic (something VERY valuable to a writer) so he would have been a successful writer, regardless. My favorite book of his is Tales from Margaritaville, a collection of short stories. Very colorful characters, very well written. You should pick it up.

[Use Her Name]

Well, Jimmy Buffett created a "World," In the same way as Garrison Keeler (Lake Wobegone).

I think a lot of celebs get in the door a lot easier than us hoy-palloy. That's the way it has always been because he comes with his own attached audience.

[hitchhiker]

I've only read "Where is Joe Merchant" but I thought it was pretty good, though it's been a long time since I read it.

The songs are different, but they're great party songs.
I wouldn't say that Jimmy's equaled The Greatful Dead status just yet (with regard to live perfomances and the cult-like following), but he's getting close. His shows usually involve lots of tailgating {pre-show}. My wife is a die-hard fan and I've finally secured tickets to a show later this year {for ou anniversary}. I'm ashamed to admit what I paid for the tickets, but you can check any online ticket outlets and just compare the availability {and prices} for concerts this year. Be sure to check the different shows at the exact same arena where Buffett is playing, and I promise that you'll be surprised.

The lyrics to one of my favorites:

PIRATE LOOKS AT FORTY
Jimmy Buffett
Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call,
Wanted to sail upon your waters
since I was three feet tall.
You've seen it all, you've seen it all.
Watch the men who rode you,
Switch from sails to steam.
And in your belly you hold the treasure
that few have ever seen, most of them dreams,
Most of them dreams.
Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late.
The cannons don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder
I'm an over forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late.
I've done a bit of smugglin'
I've run my share of grass.
I made enough money to buy Miami,
But I pissed it away so fast,
Never meant to last, never meant to last.
I have been drunk now for over two weeks,
I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks,
But I've got to stop wishin',
Got to go fishin', I'm down to rock bottom again.
Just a few friends, just a few friends.
Instrumental
I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
And though I ran away, they'll come back one day.
And still could manage a smile
It just takes awhile, just takes awhile.
Mother, mother ocean, after all these years I've found
My occupational hazard being my occupations
just not around.
I feel like I've drowned,
Gonna head uptown.

[Yeshanu]

MY question is this: would J B have become a best-selling author if he hadn't been so well-known to begin with?

Did his writing success come only as a result of his previous successes?

He stated on the show that his first love was writing, not music.


Is writing music not writing, then?

You ask if his writing success came only as a result of his musical success. No. Definitely not. He first had to write the books, then sell them and market them like everyone else. He may have had an advantage in marketing that you and I don't have, but first he did the very thing that all of us are supposed to be doing--he sat down at his computer and put word after word on the screen until he had a book.

And why should it be a bad thing that his fame in the musical realm helps him as an author? I don't get the gripes about this one, because while it's true that movie and music celebrities may have an advantage, that doesn't necessarily follow that you and I are disadvantaged.

Stay with me here: Celebrities can and do sell bad books, just because they're celebrities. Why are you jealous? Is that what you want to do--sell bad books?

Not me, at least. I want to sell a good book. And what Uncle Jim has told us, and what I've seen from other authors on this site is that if I have a good book, and I keep knocking on doors, it will eventually be sold and get published.

I haven't read any of Jimmy Buffett's books, but if they're as good as his songs, he deserves to get published and do well, even if not everyone likes them.

[blacbird]

Stay with me here: Celebrities can and do sell bad books, just because they're celebrities. Why are you jealous? Is that what you want to do--sell bad books?

YES, dammit! I haven't been able to sell even one of my bad books. Why do celebs get to sell theirs?


caw

[windyrdg]

He ought to be given an award for getting the most mileage out of one hit. It was a cute, but silly song. Hardly worth a lifetime's employment. But I guess we could the same thing about Harper Lee. Nice enough book, but what have you done for us lately?

[pconsidine]

Actually, windy, that's the saddest part of the Jimmy Buffett story – that the only song they still play on the radio is frickin' "Margaritaville." He's recorded tons of albums with at least one damn good song on each (conservative estimate), but no one has ever heard most of them.

As far as the point, I think that he might very well have had success as a writer if not for the music career. I read Joe Merchant, too, and can easily see it fitting in the Carl Hiaasen/Elmore Leonard vein. And Jolly Mon was just the kind of cute kid's story that people would buy generation after generation. Sure, he might not have been as successful, but he would have done all right, I'm sure.

[benbradley]

He ought to be given an award for getting the most mileage out of one hit. It was a cute, but silly song. Hardly worth a lifetime's employment. But I guess we could the same thing about Harper Lee. Nice enough book, but what have you done for us lately?
Well, he HAS had more than one hit song, though I think all his hits are from the 1970's. Researching this brought his first big hit "Come Monday" to mind, and now I can't get the dang thing out of my head, though I've never liked it. It was overplayed on the radio at the time...

From the Wikipedia article, it appears he's quite the businessman, taking good advantage of his fame - maybe he hasn't quite "made enough money to buy Miami" but it's enough that I doubt he's "pissed it away so fast" either:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Buffet

[kzmiller]

Like many musicians he has the trouble that the radio industry (which has quite a few foibles) glommed onto one (sometimes as many as three, ooo! depending on the station) songs and plays them over and over again while ignoring the rest. Although I'm a fan of his big hits, they're not my favorites. I'm surprised that Son of a Son of a Sailor, Take Another Road, and School Boy Heart didn't go anywhere, among other great songs that get into family, friendship, loss, and a kind of tropical mysticism as well as other interesting and complex themes. BTW, Take Another Road and School Boy Heart both mention novels. Now that I know he writes prose as well as music I realize those lyrics come from a personal connection and not just because they fit in with the song's 'story.' His imagery is fantastic. I may have to read his books now if only to see if his prose imagery stands up to his musical imagery. I suspect so. Maybe it's because my experience with lyrics is limited, but it seems song writing would be much harder than prose, because of space constraints and the need to be extremely efficient as well as creating sequences of words that people will accept as a chorus. When I think about a chorus and how it often changes and deepens in meaning even though the words remain the same (or very similar) as a song progresses--woof. That's hard work, never mind trying to make it rhyme or scan to a melody.

I'm not technically a Parrothead since I've never been to a concert and I've only got compilation CDs (and a few cassette tapes from back in the day) but maybe I'll grow up to be one.

[EriRae]

He's always been a writer, of music first, and now of fiction and non-fiction. If he wasn't a good writer, we'd have never heard of him, because honestly, he's not that great a singer. We like WHAT he's saying, not necessarily how he vocalizes.

[Yeshanu]

As far as the point, I think that he might very well have had success as a writer if not for the music career. I read Joe Merchant, too, and can easily see it fitting in the Carl Hiaasen/Elmore Leonard vein. And Jolly Mon was just the kind of cute kid's story that people would buy generation after generation. Sure, he might not have been as successful, but he would have done all right, I'm sure.


What about the possibility that he might have been more successful as a writer if he'd stuck to writing instead of singing? He might have developed in his craft more, and put more effort into marketing his books.

And poor blacbird, I promise you this. If you ever do sell a novel and have it published, I'll buy it. I may even read it. :)

[DWSTXS]

Well, I am NOT jealous, and not picking on Jimmy Buffett. I'm NOT saying he writes crap (I've never read anything of his)
I'm NOT a parrotthead, though I DO like some of his music. (But I'll die a happy man if I can go the rest of my life never hearing Margaritaville again)

I was just putting the question out there to see what everyone thought.

Being one of seven, or eight or nine or ten that has been No 1 on the best-seller list for both fic and non-fic is certainly an impressive feat.

In fact, I probably will check out his writing now.

The J B breakfast story is great. He looks as if he's a friendly type of person, not overly ego-ed by his own success.


Writing music IS writing. I'll agree with that. I would think that writing songs would be much more difficult than writing stories, novels.

[rugcat]

"Tripped on my flip-flop,
Stepped on a pop-top,
Cut my heel,
Had to cruise on back home.

But there's booze in the blender,
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction
That helps me hang on."

-- J. BuffettTake a listen, Willow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1GVIcKvZSM

[IceCreamEmpress]

YES, dammit! I haven't been able to sell even one of my bad books. Why do celebs get to sell theirs?

You've asked your question in the answering. They're celebrities.

Jimmy Buffett's books are quite good, though, and I think he would have been able to sell them no matter what.

You know who else is a good writer who started out as a musician? Greg Kihn.

[Yeshanu]

Well, I am NOT jealous, and not picking on Jimmy Buffett. I'm NOT saying he writes crap (I've never read anything of his)
I'm NOT a parrotthead, though I DO like some of his music. (But I'll die a happy man if I can go the rest of my life never hearing Margaritaville again)

I was just putting the question out there to see what everyone thought.



I didn't honestly think you were saying he writes crap. Nor do I believe you're jealous. Sorry if my answer came across that way--I was just trying to answer the question.

Personally, I am jealous, both of his music success and of his writing success. But he's earned it, and I haven't.

Yet. :D

[DWSTXS]

You've asked your question in the answering. They're celebrities.

Jimmy Buffett's books are quite good, though, and I think he would have been able to sell them no matter what.

You know who else is a good writer who started out as a musician? Greg Kihn.

ARe you talking about Greg Kihn of Rockihn Roll? 'They Don't Write Em Like That Anymore'

He writes?

[Matera the Mad]

Ha. I had to think a bit, but the name is familiar -- I saw this cool video a few months ago...

[pconsidine]

What about the possibility that he might have been more successful as a writer if he'd stuck to writing instead of singing?Given how successful he already is, that would be a pretty tall order. But it's certainly possible.

[CaroGirl]

I'm not sure any publisher could "guarantee" the success of a novel by a famous singer/songwriter, especially if the book were terrible. I mean, how many fans of Kanye West by and read novels anyway? This isn't a juicy memoir we're talking about. It's fiction.

The publishers must have seen potential for the book to sell based on the writing, not just his famous singer status (not that I really know who he is beyone having heard his name a lot). Now that he's published and his books have met with some success, it's sort of a chicken-and-the-egg argument to try to analyze why.

[Vomaxx]

Who's Jimmy Buffet?

WHAT?

You are not familiar with the man who sang Cheeseburger in Paradise and Margaritaville???

Well, neither am I. :)

How can I expect ever to be a famous author if I am unfamiliar with the masters of our craft? Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

[IceCreamEmpress]

Are you talking about Greg Kihn of Rockihn Roll? 'They Don't Write Em Like That Anymore'

He writes?

Yes! He's a pretty good mystery writer, too. I've read two of his five books (http://www.gregkihn.com/books/) (Horror Show and Mojo Hand) and recommend them both.

Hugh Laurie (star of "House" in the US and a kajillion UK TV shows and movies) wrote a good novel called The Gun Seller--a kind of hipster thriller.

[Sarita]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.Great. Now I've got Fruitcakes lodged in the brain. It's the buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me, it's the muslim in him, she's catholic, ain't she? It's that born-again look, it's the wasp and the jew, tell me what's going on? I ain't got a clue...


For full disclosure: I've been to 2 shows. And could have been called a Parrotthead in a former life. I even ate a cheeseburger in paradise. When I moved to Peru, the only CD I took with me was Barometer Soup.

[Writer???]

He ought to be given an award for getting the most mileage out of one hit. It was a cute, but silly song. Hardly worth a lifetime's employment. But I guess we could the same thing about Harper Lee. Nice enough book, but what have you done for us lately?

One hit??? Are you serious? I'm not the biggest JB fan but even I know he's had an entire career of hits. No, not many NO.1's, but huge success, loads of other performers dying to work with him, sold out concerts, etc., etc. Check the charts.

http://www.buffettworld.com/chart-history/

You'll find he's had albums and singles in the top 5 or 10 many times and on multiple charts, pop, country, adult contemporay, etc. He's had huge crossover appeal in both cultural and age groups and is a tireless performer. And all of this did not come from "Margaritaville" or that stupid "Cheesburger" song, he was a successful star BEFORE he was a ginormous phenom.

My personal favorites of his are "Come Monday", "Son of A Son of A Sailor", and his version of Kenny Loggins' "Please Come to Boston"

As to the original question. No doubt his name/fame got the first book read, but it was also a big risk to his existing reputation. He could have been laughed out of the business, made a mockery, had no talent and made big fool of himself by risking his popularity in one area for a chance in another arena. The press and critics would have had a field day blasting him for daring to think he could just do anything, in any field, simply because he was a star in another field. Getting the door open is one thing, keeping it open and being welcome to stay is another, you gotta have the "goods".

Yeah, that's a great story Patti. Thanks for sharing.


EDT: Popularity will only get you so far if you don't deliver. For consideration I offer Steven King. I mean, have ya ever SEEN him play in his rock band? I don't see anyone running to offer him a record contract because he's a famous writer. Novelty is one thing, success and longevity is another.

Now please excuse me. I'm going to don my headphones, light my...I mean cut my grass, and listen to some JB. :D

[DWSTXS]

Other famous persons whose 2nd careers took off......

George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers
george was a minor league baseball player and music was his hobby, until a record exec saw him play and offered him a contract. good bye baseball, hello rock and roll!

[Writer???]

And let's not forget Madona's famous writing AND acting careers.

Or William Shatner's parlay into music he's a "Rocket Man" baby!

And Leonard Nemoy too!

Or Paul Newman - what hasn't he done? Acting, racing, cooking, did he write a book too?

Henry Winkler - actor/author

Fannie Flagg - actress/author, Candid Camera, New Dick Van Dyke Show, Five Easy Pieces, Grease - Books, "Welocme to the World Baby Girl", "Fried Green Tomatoes"

Shirley Maclaine actress/author

and the list goes on
Oh yeah, "And the Beat Goes On" - Cher Pop Star/actress

So yeah celebrity helps open the door like was said, but how many of these others have had great success and made the "Best" list in their other fields like JB has? You gotta have the goods, fan base in one genre isn't enough to carry you to the top in another the markets and therefore the required numbers are just too big.

[Pachydermia]

Who's Jimmy Buffet?
bahahahahahahahahahaha

I love you.

[Shadow_Ferret]

MY question is this: would J B have become a best-selling author if he hadn't been so well-known to begin with?

Did his writing success come only as a result of his previous successes?

He stated on the show that his first love was writing, not music.
I don't know about the fiction novels. It's possible if the books are good enough they would have sold that well without him being a top selling recording artist.

The non-fiction book however, is another story. If he WASN'T a beloved singer, he wouldn't have had any fan-base to write a best-selling autobiography.
He ought to be given an award for getting the most mileage out of one hit. It was a cute, but silly song. Hardly worth a lifetime's employment. But I guess we could the same thing about Harper Lee. Nice enough book, but what have you done for us lately?
One hit? He had a whole slew of hits in the late 70s. And he's got a rather large and rabid following, sort of like Dead Heads (Parrot Heads), who are dedicated to him.

[ToddWBush]

I'm shocked King wasn't on the list... but maybe I'm just biased because I liked On Writing so much.

[Fox The Cave]

I only know Jimmy Buffet from that episode of South Park where Cartman gets AID's.

Just thought i'd throw that in.

[dwellerofthedeep]

I am also surprised that Sephen King isn't on that list, but I like Jimmy Buffet's music and I've heard from some people I trust that his writing is pretty entertaining. It's interesting to me that this list is apparently so exclusive.

[James D. Macdonald]

Something only 7 writers have EVER done

... is come up with an original plot.