Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Jimmy Buffett & Jane Slagsvol: From College Love to Margaritaville Empire

Jimmy Buffett + Jane Slagsvol Love Story
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

A renowned musician, businessman, singer, and songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, has been named one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with a net worth of $900 million as of 2017. Buffett is also a writer, having authored three number-one best-selling books entitled Tales from Margaritaville and Where Is Joe Merchant? The books have been on the fiction list of The New York Times Best Seller for months. 

Although Jimmy Buffett has established several businesses, he is famous for his songs that exude an island-like lifestyle. He described his music style as “drunken Caribbean rock and roll,” “Gulf and Western,” and later becoming the Key West sound.

The musical and lyrical style of Jimmy Buffett’s songs has indeed paved the way for his success. His most famous songs include “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.” 

Buffett’s Musical Career

Before becoming a famous music star, Jimmy Buffett started as a country music artist in Nashville. There, he recorded his first album, Down to Earth. During the 1970s, he was found in New Orleans, busking for audiences that were mainly tourists. In 1971, Buffett moved to Key West after Jerry Jeff Walker invited him to busk. When he moved to Key West, Buffett began to establish the easy-going persona he has right now.

His music combines pop, rock, country, and folk music with tropical vibes and themes that his fans love and enjoy. Parrotheads (or parakeets for the young ones) is the name of his fanbase because, during one of his concerts, Buffett noticed that some were wearing Hawaiian shirts and parrot hats.

On Meeting His Wife, Jane Slavsgol

Jane Slavsgol, the gorgeous wife of none other than Jimmy Buffett, met the artist during their spring break in 1976. Jane was still studying in South Carolina when she met Buffett, and the attraction turned into a union of love the following year.

Jimmy Buffett and Jane Slavsgol were happily married until Jane realized she needed to take a break from her husband. The couple divorced in the early 1980s because of Jimmy’s constant partying antics, but they reunited in 1991. Since then, the couple has enjoyed each other’s company and has been blessed with two daughters, Savannah Jane, and Sarah Delaney, and with their adopted son, Cameron Marley. The family lives in Palm Beach, Florida, and Sag Harbor, New York.

The Success of Margaritaville

As the name implies, Jimmy Buffett’s song “Margaritaville” is named after the margarita. The music reflects the chill, relaxing, and laid-back lifestyle on an island. The fame of “Margaritaville” resulted in the birth of an empire, as the song title has been on the faces of commercial products and licenses. The brand ranges from radio stations (Radio Margaritaville) to books (Tales from Margaritaville) and even restaurants and retail shops (Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville). Add margarita mix, beach cruiser bicycles, footwear, men’s and women’s apparel, and even pie filling to the list. 

The fame of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” and some of his famous songs has inspired Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley to create a musical entitled Escape to Margaritaville. The musical’s plot is about a singer who works as a part-time bartender and falls in love with a tourist. The musical tour was launched in 2019.

The Author of The Jolly Mon

The Jolly Mon is a children’s book by Jimmy Buffett and his daughter, Savannah Jane. The book comes with an original score and a narration by Jimmy and Savannah.

The Jolly Mon is about the adventure of a man named Jolly Mon on the island of Bananaland. The book talks about finding special friendships and spreading happiness through singing.

If you’re looking to spend time with family and friends these days, experience the Margaritaville vibes and hype at the Margaritaville at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, where you can sit back and enjoy the sight of Buffett’s aircraft, the Hemisphere Dancer.

Latest Stories

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs performing a heartfelt rendition of Hank Williams' gospel classic 'I Saw the Light' at the Opry, honoring its timeless legacy.

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs’ Soulful Rendition of “I Saw the Light” at the Opry

Some songs transcend time, and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light” is one of those rare gems that feels as powerful today as it did when it was first penned. ...

Ben Haggard performing Merle Haggard's classic 'It's All in the Movies,' honoring his father's legacy while showcasing his own brilliant artistry.

Ben Haggard Breathes New Life into Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies”

Some songs never lose their shine. Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies” is one of those timeless tracks, and when his youngest son, Ben Haggard, steps up to perform ...

George Strait and Alan Jackson performing 'Remember When' and 'Troubadour' at the 50th CMA Awards, celebrating the timeless soul of country music.

The Iconic CMA Duet of Alan Jackson and George Strait

Some moments in country music aren’t just performances—they’re living history. George Strait and Alan Jackson took the stage together at the 50th CMA Awards in 2016, and it was one ...

Gene Watson performing his signature hit 'Farewell Party,' a hauntingly beautiful country classic that captures themes of loss and love.

Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Is a Heartbreaker for the Ages

Some songs cut straight to the bone, and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” is one of them. Released in 1979 as part of his Reflections album, Watson’s rendition of this country ...

Toby Keith’s Stunning Tribute to Hank Williams Jr. With “A Country Boy Can Survive”

In 2007, a remarkable event unfolded at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles when country, rock, and blues icons gathered to honor the legendary Hank Williams Jr. It was a ...

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge performing their duet 'Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends,' capturing the beauty and heartbreak of love's final moments.

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s Timeless Duet, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”

When Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge sang together, their voices became an extension of their love story—beautiful, bittersweet, and undeniably real. Married in 1973 after a whirlwind meeting in an ...

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performing 'I'll Fly Away,' a soulful masterpiece from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, showcasing gospel roots and timeless harmonies.

How Alison Krauss’ “I’ll Fly Away” Became a Hymn for the Ages

There’s a magic in Alison Krauss’ voice, an ethereal quality that feels wrapped in sunlight and steeped in tradition. When she joined forces with Gillian Welch to record “I’ll Fly ...

Craig Morgan delivering an emotional performance of 'The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost' on The Kelly Clarkson Show, moving the audience to tears as he honors his son's memory.

Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” Moves “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to Tears

In 2016, Craig Morgan faced a tragedy no parent should ever endure: the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jerry, in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. Morgan’s heartbreak was profound, ...

Jesse Keith Whitley and his son Jackie performing a heartfelt duet of 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' honoring Keith Whitley's legacy with a touching family tribute.

Jesse Keith Whitley and Son Jackie Duet “Don’t Close Your Eyes” in a Heartfelt Tribute

At Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City Beach, Florida, fans were treated to a magical evening when Jesse Keith Whitley performed his father’s iconic song “Don’t Close ...

Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson brought together through modern technology for a duet of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee,' blending their iconic voices in a timeless gospel masterpiece.

Willie Nelson Joins Patsy Cline for a Heavenly “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Patsy Cline’s tragic death in a 1963 plane crash left an irreplaceable void in country music. Her haunting voice, which gave us classics like “Cr𝐚zy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” ...