[BrianL99]

So here's a little story about an interaction with Jimmy Buffett.

The background is, a close parrothead friend of mine retired from state government and opened a restaurant/bar in Southeastern, MA., called North Key West and Jimmy's lawyers sent a Cease & Desist Letter. This was the response JB's lawyers were sent. (That's my daughter, standing under the sign).

I apparently can't get the photo of the letter to upload, here's the text:

So the date was March, 2001. We were operating North Key West Saloon. Jimmy Buffett, through his lawyers contacted us because our menu included “Cheeseburgers in Paradise”. He told us that was a trademark infringement and we needed to change it. I knew that and I agreed. I was surprised that we got away with that as long as we did. I had no problem with their request. I decided to respond to his (their) letter to let them know we would change our menu. Cheeseburgers in Paradise became Paradise Cheeseburgers. So I responded using Buffett song titles.

What follows are excerpts of the letter I wrote to Buffett and his lawyers. Buffett song titles are in capital letters.

Dear Jimmy ( and your lawyers)

We are in receipt of your letter dated March 16, 2001. Just one question. WHY YOU WANNA HURT MY HEART?

DON’T CHU KNOW that we’re just having a little fun honoring the music and lifestyle that You represent?. THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT.

At FIRST LOOK, some might suggest that you need a MENTAL FLOSS, but we certainly understand your concern. God knows…or rather… GOD’S OWN DRUNK knows we don’t want to be in a position where we would have to say…WE USE TO HAVE MONEY ONE TIME. Nor do we want to BURN THAT BRIDGE.

So COME MONDAY, we will TAKE ANOTHER ROAD and change our menu to reflect your request. Don’t worry, we will SURVIVE and live HAPPILY AFTER (NOW AND THEN).

And by the way, how the heck did you find us?

Was it the TWELVE VOLT MAN or the BROWN EYED GIRL? Maybe it was the WOMAN GOIN CRAZY ON CAROLINE STREET. I know it wasn’t the man upstairs because because GOD DON’T OWN A CAR.

In any event, North Key West has become the home of the BaHa Brothers, the Two Buck Corona, the BaHa Dancers (Len and Sandy), and our favorite bartenders, Yvonne and Ginny.

Indeed, if history repeats itself, we’ll probably end up STRANDED ON A SANDBAR…DEFYING GRAVITY…sipping on BOAT DRINKS while staring at STARS ON THE WATER. No doubt…we’ll be SPENDING MONEY and making withdrawals from our BANK OF BAD HABITS.

In any event, should you have any questions, you can contact us by the COCONUT TELEGRAPH. Should we have any further questions, we will contact you. But IF THE PHONE DOESN’T RING, IT’S ME.

Finz up!


The BaHa Brothers mentioned in the letter, eventually became the opening cct for JB shows at Great Woods.