“If You Weren't There, It Didn't Happen”: Kenny Chesney Reflects on the Legacy of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band in New Documentary

In the new documentary chronicling the early days of Jimmy Buffett and his revered Coral Reefer Band, Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers, an array of Buffett's close friends and collaborators pay tribute to the legendary artist's crew.

Kenny Chesney appears early on to delve into the ways in which the Coral Reefer Band complemented Buffett's unique style. Chesney was a good buddy of the late Gulf and Western trailblazer and an artist that, in many ways, took the Tiki Bar baton from Buffett through his own blend of country and tropically-minded music.

He stresses, “The Coral Reefer Band took these songs, this music, and gave it to the world in a way that nobody else could. If Jimmy went out there sitting on a stool...he might have done it, who knows? But he didn't have to, because he had those guys”.

The documentary follows the various stories of a host of original Coral Reefer Band members, such as Greg “Fingers” Taylor, Norbert Putnam, Roger Bartlett and Harry Dailey, offering a fascinating, behind-the-scenes insight into the group's emergence.

Later on, Chesney admits he would cherish the chance to experience the early days of Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band, “If there was a time that I would like to have toured just for maybe a little while, just to see what it was like, it would be the ‘70s and ‘80s, because truly back then...I mean, if you weren't there, it didn't happen”.

The ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ hitmaker highlights how, with the advent of “celebrity”, being an artist in the contemporary landscape brings with it certain boundaries and limitations that weren't as restrictive in the ‘70s, “Today is different. I mean, if you're in the public eye at all, you're walking on eggshells every day you leave the house. So I think it would be a lot of fun to have toured in the ‘70s. I would have loved to open for Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers in the ‘70s”.

Chesney crossed paths with Buffett in the early 2000's, during a pivotal crossroads in the former's career, when he was pivoting from the neo-traditional sound that was dominating Music City towards a more sun-soaked, island-infused style.

It's no secret that Buffett influence Chesney's decision to make this shift, with the Knoxville native regularly citing Buffett as one of his biggest inspirations. He even name-drops Buffett in his now-iconic ‘90s anthem, ‘How Forever Feels’, crooning playfully, “Coconut oil, tanning señoritas / Oh, now I know how Jimmy Buffet feels”.

The duo went on to work together on a number of occasions, including for a beautifully reimagined duet version of Buffett's seminal ode, ‘Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season’. The track features on Chesney's stellar 2018 album, Songs for the Saints.

Over the years, Chesney has also struck up a prolific partnership with Mac McAnally, one of the most well-known members of Buffett's ‘90s and 2000s Coral Reefer Band roster. McAnally appears in Occupational Hazard to shed some light on the spirit and impetus that always drove the Coral Reefer Band, regardless of the line-up.

In the documentary, McAnally reflects, “There was a rawness to that band. They were having a great time, but it also made me pay attention to every word that Jimmy was saying”.

Occupational Hazard is a vibrant, probing and illuminating look at the origins of one of the most colourful bands in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as exploring the lasting legacy of their beloved captain and coastal troubadour, the late great Jimmy Buffett. John H. Cunningham takes the helm as director, while Jeff Bridges narrates.

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