The Gone to Paradise concert at Theatre at the Center on September 19th was just as much fun as their first TATC concert in 2024. As a Parrothead from way back, I can honestly say that their concerts are almost as much fun as an actual Jimmy Buffet concert – and I saw many of those!
Gone to Paradise has been celebrating Jimmy Buffet for 20 years – and they’ve really “captured his essence” as they say in their bio. Frank Paul (Lead Singer/Acoustic Guitar) has Jimmy’s enthusiasm – and he sounded a lot like him, too.
Wearing island-style outfits, Mary Pasyk (Background Singer/Ukelele/Flute) did a lot of dancing. She even sounded a bit like Nadirah Shakoor when she sang solo. The band includes: Robert Bolanowski (Bass, Background Vocals), Jon Gould, Lead Guitar), Christian Rogala (Percussionist/Steel Pan), Jackson Paul (Drums) and Jeff Otto (Keyboards/Background Singer/Vocal Arranger).
Leading off with a newer song, I Will Play for Gumbo, they went on to play fan favorites like Boat Drinks, Volcano, Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise. This year they added one of my particular favorites, Pencil Thin Moustache.
Act II opened with Alan Jackson’s hit with Jimmy, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere and continued with Bama Breeze, Changes in Latitude, Son of a Son of a Sailor, Come Monday and One Particular Island, all important parts of Jimmy’s legacy.
Imitating Jimmy’s concerts, there were beach balls bouncing in the audience, and a balloon drop for Fins, followed by the finale, Brown-Eyed Girl. Since everyone knew the words, everyone sang along with almost every song. People were dancing too. It was so much fun!
For more about Gone to Paradise, visit www.gone2paradiseband.com.