Gone, however not forgotten. The late Jimmy Buffett was honored with a star-studded tribute on the 2023 CMA Awards on Wednesday.
Nation music icons Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band and Mac McAnally — a member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band — joined forces for a transferring efficiency on stage on the Bridgestone Area in Nashville, Tennessee.
The particular tribute efficiency included a medley of a few of Buffett’s most beloved hits, together with an emotional and poignant cowl of “A Pirate Seems to be at Forty,” in addition to an enthusiastic and memorable efficiency of “Margaritaville.”
The “Margaritaville” singer died at the age of 76 on Sept. 1 from Merkel cell carcinoma — a pores and skin most cancers. He is survived by his spouse, Jane, his daughters, Savannah and Sarah, and son, Cameron.
Information of his demise rocked the nation neighborhood and the nation at massive, with remembrances pouring in throughout social media.
President Joe Biden hailed Buffett as a “poet of paradise” in a touching tribute posted on X, previously Twitter.
“A poet of paradise, Jimmy Buffett was an American music icon who impressed generations to step again and discover the enjoyment in life and in each other,” the president’s verified account tweeted. “We had the consideration to satisfy and get to know Jimmy over time, and he was in life as he was acting on stage — stuffed with goodwill and pleasure, utilizing his present to deliver folks collectively. Jill and I ship our like to his spouse of 46 years, Jane; to their youngsters, Savannah, Sarah, and Cameron; to their grandchildren; and to the tens of millions of followers who will proceed to like him at the same time as his ship now sails for brand new shores.”
Blake Shelton raised a glass and remembered Buffett as “an unimaginable expertise and man.”
“Coronary heart damaged this morning listening to of Jimmy Buffett’s passing. What an unimaginable expertise and man,” Shelton tweeted. “His songs will stay on ceaselessly. I’ll guess most of y’all don’t know that he wrote the theme music for @BarmageddonUSA for me about 2 years in the past. Elevating a glass at this time to the Son of a son of a Sailer.”
On the time, Chesney shared a stripped-down video of himself on a seashore with an acoustic guitar singing Buffett’s 1974 music, “A Pirate Seems to be at Forty.”
“So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks to your friendship and the songs I’ll carry in my coronary heart ceaselessly,” he wrote. “Sail On Sailor.”
Wednesday’s 2023 CMA Awards are hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, airing stay on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Area. In one other tribute efficiency throughout the present, Jelly Roll and Okay. Michelle are honoring Wynonna Judd and the late Naomi Judd with a canopy of The Judds’ hit, “Love Can Construct a Bridge.”
Additional performers on tap for this yr’s present embody host Bryan, Little Huge City, Megan Moroney, Outdated Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Hardy, Cody Johnson, Submit Malone, Ashley McBride, Morgan Wallen and The Warfare and Treaty.
See the newest on the 2023 CMA Awards on the hyperlinks beneath, and verify right here for the full list of the night’s big winners.
RELATED CONTENT: