We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Maddox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
(Jimmys Buffet, a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band) Ive been in the tribute band scene here in San Diego & Los Angeles for about 15 years. Id formed various groups & had some success & knew the right people to keep getting work. Turning 50 I decided a needed a new project. I felt Id aged out of my hard rocking ways lol. So one night Im in bed trying to figure out what to do next… I have my airpods on & Im listening to a Jimmy Buffett live album as I sit in bed & ponder. I literally did this for about 5 mins before i jumped up & said “thats it, I need to do Buffett”. Sometimes inspiration comes in funny ways.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My name is Chris Maddox & I started Jimmy’s Buffet about 2 years ago. Ive always love Jimmys music, and been to my share of concerts. Also, Ive been in a few different cover bands over the years. The idea hit me late one night that, hey, I need to start a Buffett tribute show. I knew right off the bat it had to be fun. It had to be a celebration. A recreation of Buffetts live shows & the parking lot parties that come before it. And from there was born my cleverly named band: Jimmy’s Buffet, a celebration of the music & vibes of Jimmy Buffett.

I knew immediately what I wanted in the band & I had the club contacts to ensure we could get gigs. My first image was palm trees, beach balls, blow up shark outfits & of course a live steel pan player. We had to have those looks & that sound to achieve the quality I was envisioning. I partnered up with my sons excellent guitar teacher, Peter Hix, and we were off. It has taken some time but we have settled in on an excellent 7 piece band now with steel pan, congas, harmonies and everything that makes shows as fun to see as they are to play in.

A very proud in my life was us being able to play in the parking lot of Jimmys last show. Of course we didnt know it at the time, but Jimmys parking lot parties are the stuff of legend. We played to maybe 400 wandering parrot heads & had the best time. It was a simple set up, good fun & lots of fun folks. Shortly there after Jimmy passed away making that day much more special.

As someone who recently turned 50 this has been a dream come true. Playing the music of Jimmy Buffett is about the most fun you can have on a summer afternoon. Im never scared or nervous of a show, I always look forward to being with my bandmates & playing this music. Its been so refreshing for me as I stay creative and find ways to keep having fun. Being a Parrot Head myself (SDPHC member) meeting my fellow flocks has been the highlight. The stories that are shared & the good naturedness of these fans is so much fun to be around. We dont plan to go anywhere & we will do our best to keep it summer all year round.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Naked Cafe: Breakfast. Im a simple guy & I just love their blueberry pancakes. And the staff is always great. Lots of healthy options, but I go for the pancakes lol.

The Beach: You gotta go to the beach! We have the best beaches in the world IMO. Rocks, hikes, tide pools, or good old soft sand. We have it all. Theres nothing better than being in the water & drying off under the sun, while smelling that fresh salty air. Wow.

Belly Up Tavern: nightlife, music & drinks cant be beat here. Its also the club that Jimmy Buffett would do secret shows at when he was in town. So much fun & history in that building.

Handels: The BEST ice cream in town & they serve it up BIG. The line might be long, but the wait is worth it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jimmy’s Buffet, so cals top tribute to Jimmy Buffett. They’ve been playing a while, but with the Captains recent passing their job is more important than ever. So many Parrot Heads, Pirates & Phriends want to keep Jimmy’s music alive, vibrant & fun.

Website: thejimmysbuffet.com

Instagram: @thejimmysbuffet

Linkedin: DNA

Twitter: DNA

Facebook: @thejimmysbuffet

Youtube: @thejimmysbuffet

Other: Booking: cjmaddox99@gmail.com

Image Credits
All photos taken by Jimmys Buffet LLC

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.