Parrothead
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Parrothead or Parrot Head is a commonly used nickname for fans of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
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[edit] Origin
The term "Parrothead" began at a Jimmy Buffett concert at the Timberwolf Amphitheater outside Cincinnati, Ohio. At the show, Jimmy commented about everyone wearing Hawaiian shirts and parrot hats and how they kept coming back to see his shows, just like Deadheads. Then Timothy B. Schmit, a former member of the Coral Reefer Band, now a member of The Eagles, coined the term "Parrothead" to describe each of those fans.
[edit] Description
The common stereotype is of a person wearing a Hawaiian shirt, flip-flops and board shorts, or a grass skirt and a coconut bra while drinking a margarita. Many fans are members of Parrothead clubs. The general theme of being a Parrothead is one of relaxation, even while working. Some prefer the spelling "Parrotthead," reflecting the double "t" in Buffett.
The more "professional" aspect is to wear high end tropical vacation clothing, such as Tommy Bahama, though this is likely seen by many as a departure from the "true tenets" of being a Parrothead as it references a more expensive lifestyle than is commonly associated with being a tropical beach bum.
[edit] Activities
These groups "party with a purpose," and hold fundraiser event for different causes. Events range from single act concerts or happy hours to the annual Meeting of the Minds in Key West, Florida, which attracts approximately 3,500 Parrotheads each year. The several day event, sponsored by the Parrot Heads in Paradise includes live music, but also a Toys for Tots drive, a blood drive, raffles and other events to raise money for charities. Some regional groups will focus on one or two key charities, while others may switch between several. Environmental causes, cancer research, Alzheimer's research and the March of Dimes all have received large donations from Parrothead organizations. In 2005, 2.2 million dollars were raised by these organizations, along with toys, blood, canned goods and many hours of manpower to support various charities in the US and beyond.
