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What is a Parrot Head?
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A Parrot Head simply refers to someone who is a fan of Jimmy Buffett's music and lifestyle that he promotes....and they are EVERYWHERE!
Flocking around and enjoying life, these crazy hat wearing folks are always smiles from ear to ear. For someone like me who is a big Jimmy Buffett fan, I thought that Parrot Heads were known by all, even to those that don't sing about trying to find their "lost shaker of salt." After all, Jimmy Buffett has been on the scene since the 1970's and the term came out in the 1980's. So everyone should know who or what they are, right? I mean really, who would dare ask "What is a Parrot Head?" They are not just some "crazy person" dressed up in a colorful outfit. The group is a true melting pot of all ethnic backgrounds and professions. From bartenders to someone that just passed the bar exam, it is not uncommon to see a professor or doctor donning a hat full of bird feathers and handing out drinks at a Jimmy Buffett concert.
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The origin of the Parrot Head goes all the way back to June 28, 1985. One of Jimmy Buffett's former Coral Reefer Band members, Timothy B. Schmit, gave birth to the phrase What is a Parrot Head at a concert held at the Timberwolf Amphitheater in Cincinnati, OH. Jimmy Buffett was noticing that an overwhelming amount of his concert goers were wearing tropical clothing and parrots on their heads. After seeing that enough times, the term was born by Timothy when he called them all Parrot Heads on a whim.
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Nowadays, a Parrot Head isn't just for Jimmy Buffett concerts anymore.
There is another side of the lifestyle that is truly amazing. With the approval of Jimmy Buffett, clubs and organizations were allowed to be formed, but under one condition. All groups must be a non profit charitable organization. This could include charity events or anything that gives back to a local community. From this spawned many organizations. Scratch that. It's more like hundreds of organized groups around the planet. One of the biggest are the Parrot Heads in Paradise, whom are worth checking out. So in a different sense, the groups also do good things for the community.
Chances are you know a one or two. When the time strikes, they open up their closets at home, put on their best tropical t-shirt and place a stuffed parrot on their head. They load up the car with a blender, grill, food, and set up camp many hours before a well anticipated Jimmy Buffett concert. The best part? A true Parrot Head is also generous, often sharing what they bring with their fellow flockers.
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Not sure if being a Parrot Head is for you?
No problem. Just join them at any organized event and you will see why we all love this lifestyle. If you see a few Parrot Heads in their natural environment tailgating at a Jimmy Buffett concert, why not join them. You may get tossed a tropical concoction and a cheeseburger, too!
Contributed by Jason Guarino
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We would be remiss if we did not mention Scott...
Scott Nickerson: Parrot Head Club Founder
Why is Scott to blame for it all? In February of 1989, Scott set out to create the first Parrot Head Club. Made up of like-minded individuals who wanted to have fun as well as make an impact. Scott recalls “I didn’t know if it would hit or miss. We planned our first event to be on April 1st 1989, April Fools Day, thinking we would make it fun.” That first event brought in about 15 people. “We had a few beers, something to eat and made a plan.”
“In the beginning all we were doing was volunteering for different non-profits that had events going on. We took it upon ourselves to call charities and ask if they need people to get their hands dirty.” Soon, the Atlanta Parrot Head Club had around 300 members. Scott remembers “It just took off!” Jimmy Buffett’s people asked Scott to put together the guidelines for clubs and to create Parrot Heads In Paradise (PHIP) the parent organization. Soon they featured Scott and the Atlanta Parrot Head Club in the (now discontinued) Jimmy Buffett printed fan newsletter, the Coconut Telegraph. In the article, they published Scott’s phone number and he says his “phone was blowing up” with people wanting to know how to start a club in their area.
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Contributed by Tammy Camp
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We here at the Forgotten Coast Parrot Head Club want to thank Scott, and ALL of the previous Parrot Head Clubs for having the vision and the wherewithal to see it through!! FINS UP!!
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