Right down from Schooners Wharf and Conch Republic Seafood on Lazy Way in the Key West Historic Seaport, Jimmy Buffett created a former rustic ice shed shrimp storage cooler into a recording studio in 1986, named Shrimpboat Sound.
This unassuming, small, windowless and boxy building became known for producing a laid back creative atmosphere.
It was the birthplace of numerous Buffett albums and numerous recordings by The Eagles, Zac Brown, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Toby Keith and Mac Mc Anally.
The building after Buffett’s passing in September 2023 was emptied of all the recording gear in June 2024, and has been sitting abandoned, covered in stickers by Jimmy Buffett’s Parrot Heads over the years.
The Home of Trop Rock could become the biggest attraction in Key West with the new proposal:
- A working recording studio: to restore the historic studio to operational status with modernized updated equipment to carry the studio forward. Commitments have been secured from Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Mac McAnally and the Coral Reefer Band.
- Museum and Tours: offering affordable tours, showcasing the studio restored to Jimmy Buffett’s era with today’s technology, featuring his actual equipment, instruments and memorabilia, with private recording opportunities.
- Margarita and Tropical Drink Bar showcasing Key West music, arts and fishing history, with limited indoor seating and outdoor seating for up to twenty persons.
- Retail and Memorabilia sales of unique merchandise, Jimmy Buffett lifestyle themed art and Coral Reefers Band memorabilia.
- Live entertainment with live broadcasts, streaming podcasts and musical performances featuring participating artists.
- Venue for hire and charitable events to utilize the space for private events. weddings and approved charitable fundraising events.
This concept has been initially approved and supported by Margaritaville Enterprises to ensure proper legal use of the Buffett name at the studio on Lazy Way Lane.
“There were so many great things about Jimmy’s studio, especially how low-key it was,” Kenny Chesney told the WSJ. “You could disappear into a completely nondescript building that had the most exceptional gear. Then when you needed a break, you could go walk around Key West, inhale that ocean air, and just absorb the energy of all the writers, from Hemingway to Tennessee Williams or Judy Blume who’ve all created there.”
Awesome news to Parrot Heads, all this will be happening right down at the end of Route 1.
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