A1A bringing Buffett’s music to The Plaza
EATONTON — The Plaza Arts Center knows just where you can find that last remnant of summer in late September.
It will be on The Plaza’s own grounds the night of Sept. 24, as the Eatonton arts organization is set to host A1A — The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show for a live outdoor concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.
VIP tables are already sold out, but there were still about 100 general admission tickets available as of Monday. Those go for $15 per parrot head.
This won’t be A1A’s first time playing The Plaza, and there’s a good reason the group is coming back again.
“A1A has played at The Plaza several times over the years — the past two years, 2020 and 2021, have been huge hits,” Plaza marketing director Taylor Hembree said in an email interview. “The band brings with them their own unique vibe, so you truly feel like you’re transported to somewhere tropical. Eatonton is very lucky to have them come back this year! I know we are expecting a sell-out crowd for this 2022 show, so it should be something special.
“The crowd loves A1A — it’s as simple as that. Our audience at The Plaza enjoys this band! Between the songs they choose, the talent, and of course, the parrot head (which is what hardcore Jimmy Buffett fans call themselves) feels, it is always a popular show.”
According to the band’s website, A1A got its start in 1991 when lead vocalist and guitarist Jeff Pike asked Atlanta Parrot Head Club founder Scott Nickerson to join him in his already successful one-man tribute to Buffett. One year later, the band won a Jimmy Buffett soundalike contest for Margaritaville Records, and the tropical rock music has been flowing ever since.
“They kind of started the Jimmy Buffett tributes,” Hembree said. “We think that’s pretty cool. They’ve played with Jimmy Buffett, recorded several albums as a band, toured, and they all are very enthusiastic about bringing the parrot head way of life to their fans.”
A1A performs as a seven- to 10-piece band with full audio and light production all in an effort to transport audiences somewhere warmer. But the band doesn’t just want fans to lay back in their beach chairs with cold drinks in hand.
“This band wants people to get up and move, which we love,” Hembree added. “There are couples dancing, kids dancing together and of course lots of singing happening. This is a fun show because there are literally generations of people who show up. Last year we had kids, parents, grandparents — the entire family — and that’s what it’s about for us.”
Of course, in order to get everyone singing and dancing along, a band has to play the hits. It’s a duty that A1A doesn’t shy away from.
“A1A definitely brings all the songs you know to the stage,” Hembree said. “‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’, ‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,’ ‘Margaritaville’… all the songs that have been around for generations. They also are good about bringing the deep cuts that true Jimmy Buffett fanatics want to hear. It’s a variety, which I think keeps the audience coming back year after year.”
A caterer and beer truck will be on-site the night of the concert, but The Plaza also invites concert attendees to set up lawn chairs and blankets on The Plaza lawn and bring their own food and stocked coolers to the event.
Tickets to A1A can be purchased online by visiting plazacenter.org and clicking on the “Events & Tickets” tab.
Now where’s that salt shaker?