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

Jon Pardi, wife Summer, and their two daughters together, before the couple's divorce announcement.

Jon Pardi and His Wife, Summer, Are Divorcing After Nearly Six Years and Two Daughters Together

One of country music’s most grounded couples is calling it quits. Jon Pardi and his wife, Summer, announced their divorce, confirming they’ve decided to part ways after nearly six years ...

Clint Black on stage, before the hospitalization that forced him to cancel his July 3 show.

Clint Black Canceled His July 3 Concert After Being Hospitalized, but He’s Expected to Fully Recover

The good news comes first. Clint Black is going to be just fine. The country icon was forced to cancel his July 3 appearance at Pearl River Resort Casino in ...

An emotional Rhett Akins on the Opry stage, finally getting his membership invitation.

Rhett Akins Finally Got His Grand Ole Opry Invitation After 30 Years and Could Barely Find the Words

A man who has written over 30 No. 1 hits for a living stood on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night and couldn’t think of a single word to ...

Ella Langley performing live, marking "Choosin' Texas" returning to No. 1 for an 11th week and breaking a chart record that stood since 1977.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Is Back at No. 1 for an 11th Week and Broke a Record That Stood Since 1977

They kept knocking her off, and she kept coming back. Drake bumped her. Ariana Grande bumped her. Taylor Swift bumped her. And every single time, “Choosin’ Texas” climbed right back ...

Shania Twain commanding the Wembley stage in the daring look that divided fans.

Shania Twain Wore a Bold Outfit at Wembley and Fans Can’t Agree If It Was Too Much or Perfect

Shania Twain walked onto the Wembley Stadium stage in front of 90,000 people wearing a see-through black lace dress with a white bra and matching shorts underneath, and the internet ...

Miranda Lambert performing "The House That Built Me," the tearjerker that topped the charts back in 2010.

Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” Hit No. 1 Sixteen Years Ago and It Still Wrecks People

Sixteen years ago, a song that was never supposed to be Miranda Lambert’s gave her the first No. 1 of her career. And every Father’s Day, every homecoming, every time ...

A composite image of Ella Langley and Alan Jackson, tied to her emotional video tribute at his final show.

Ella Langley’s Video Tribute to Alan Jackson at His Farewell Concert Said What Every Young Artist Feels

Every major name in country music showed up to say goodbye to Alan Jackson at Nissan Stadium. But one of the most genuine tributes came from someone who wasn’t even ...

12:00 AMClaude responded: Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.

George Strait Made a Rare Appearance at Alan Jackson’s Final Concert and Brought Him a Drink

George Strait doesn’t show up for just anybody. But when Alan Jackson calls last round, the King of Country shows up with a drink in his hand. Strait strolled onto ...

Alan Jackson and Taylor Swift together, after her tribute video got a divided reaction at his Nashville farewell show.

Taylor Swift Got Booed When Her Tribute Video Played at Alan Jackson’s Farewell Concert

It was supposed to be a tribute. The crowd had other plans. Right before Alan Jackson took the stage at his farewell concert at Nissan Stadium on June 27, Grand ...

10:20 PMClaude responded: Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.

Alan Jackson Played His Final Concert at Nissan Stadium, and Even a Storm Couldn’t Stop Him

The sky opened up over Nashville on Saturday night. Lightning cracked across the horizon, and 50,000 people were told to leave their seats. For about 30 minutes, Alan Jackson’s final ...