Jimmy Buffett: One of the World's Classiest People

How do you keep people coming back to see you perform year after year in an industry that measures successful careers in months? Jimmy Buffett has known that little secret for over 40 years - you connect with your audience. Buffett talks to his audience like they were an old friend sharing a beer at a beach bonfire, then gives a great performance that leaves them dancing and singing on the way out.

But every once in a while, he'll go even further, like he did in Birmingham, Alabama a few nights ago. During the middle of his show, Mr. Buffett brought out singer/songwriter (and police detective) Matt Hoggatt, from the Gulf Coast town of Gautier, Mississippi, who won the 2012 American Songwriter magazine's Lyric Contest with a little ditty titled "Dear Jimmy Buffett." Not only did Buffett sit onstage and watch as Matt sang his song, he then did what makes him the best performer on the face of the earth. As Matt started to leave the stage, Buffett called him back. Then Buffett whipped out a song he wrote that morning, titled, "Hey Matt Hoggatt", which answered some of the questions Matt asked in his song, including when he could get a record contract. Seems like it could be soon. Now that's a class act.

To view a video of the whole encounter, visit www.Margaritaville.com, click the "News" link up top, and you'll find a video with Matt's song and Jimmy's reply.

Imaginarium Science Center