Fins Up: Fruitcake on the Radio

If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about the beach while shouting “Fins Up” at your car stereo, chances are you’ve tuned into Radio Margaritaville. For you newbie Parrot Heads, that’s SiriusXM’s 24/7 tropical escape hatch where Jimmy Buffett’s music flows like rum and the vibe is permanently set to island time. But did you know they let fans take over the airwaves? It’s called Fruitcake on the Radio, and it’s basically Parrot Head fantasy camp. You get to play your favorite Buffett songs. You can share your stories. Pretend you’re broadcasting live from a tiki-bar with a blender that never breaks. So, naturally, I applied. Because if anyone’s qualified to be a fruitcake, it’s me! I’m talking about the kind that’s soaked in rum, wrapped in nostalgia, and sprinkled with jukebox memories and Key West sunsets.

To make my case, I submitted a four-song set that tells my story in a way that I hope would make Jimmy proud. Each track is a chapter in my personal Parrot Head saga, equal parts mischief, meaning and salty margaritas. Let’s dive in…

Track 1: Pencil Thin Mustache

I’d kick off my DJ set with this gem: retro cool with a wink. I wasn’t around when Ricky Ricardo ruled the screen or Sky King flew his plane, but Jimmy makes me feel like I was. A little bit of a New Orleans Jazz groove, lyrics that span decades and the iconic “a little dab’ll do ya”, it’s all in the song. It’s a grin in musical form and no better way to set the tone of my DJ debut.

Track 2: Let’s Get Drunk and Screw

One of my earliest Buffett memories takes me back to the early 80’s, spending summers with my grandparents in rural Missouri. My grandpa would take me to the local bar. It was that kind of town. The jukebox always cycled through the same two songs: “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” and “Let’s Get Drunk and Screw”. I didn’t understand the lyrics back then, but I knew the song by heart. It’s one of those songs that you sing out loud with all your friends after one too many rum runners at Sloppy Joes. It has become the sound of lazy afternoons floating in the pool with one too many adult cocktails. It also brings jukebox nostalgia for me.

Track 3: One Particular Harbour

This track is my favorite Jimmy song. A mid-tempo masterpiece letting us know that when you find your harbor, your final destination, you will be safe. As I get older, I find myself wondering where my own harbor will be. Ed and I return to Key West often. Maybe, just maybe, that’s it!

I even started this travel blog, which is called That Particular Harbor. It chronicles our tides of reflection, living on island time, sunshine, saltwater, and the occasional margarita.

Track 4: Tin Cup Chalice

I’d close my set with this song, the last song I ever heard Jimmy play live. In 2023, we threw caution to the wind. We bought overpriced lawn tickets and booked a flight to Key West for a whirlwind 36-hour trip. That night for the encore, Jimmy stood alone on stage, guitar in hand, and played this tune under the stars. It was raw, quiet and perfect. Maybe he was thinking about how he made it back to the island where the shrimp boats are tied up to the pilings. That’s a moment I’ll carry with me always.

Maybe I’ll get myself a white sport coat. I’ll also look for a pink crustacean. This might help me get the DJ job! 🎶🎧💿

If you were the Fruitcake on the Radio — what songs would you pick? Drop me a comment below and let me know your favorite Jimmy songs!

#FruitcakeOnTheRadio #JimmyBuffett #KeyWest #RadioMargaritaville #SiriusXM #ThatParticularHarbor

If you want to know more about Ed and I, you can find our bio HERE.