Roger Bartlett & John Frinzi - Jimmy Buffett Tribute with the Coral Reefers
Season 2, Episode 111, Sep 16, 05:32 PM
Updated 10/24/2024 A year ago, we learned the sad news that one of America’s most beloved performers, Jimmy Buffett, lost his fight against cancer. He left behind a devoted fan base, surfing and boating friends, business associates, and a legacy of charitable generosity. He also left behind a remarkable band.
RadioStPete.com news director and host Nanette Wiser knew trouble was on the hijinks horizon when Roger Bartlett, (the original Coral Reefer) came to our Thrive DTSP studio with John Frinzi; they often play together in Gulfport (North End Tap House) and around town - and the two riff together like Steve Martin and Martin Short. They're getting the band back together - the legendary Coral Reefers, of course - before they both head off to music festivals around the U. S. from Maryland to California.
The October 12 concert was rescheduled for January 11, 2025 due to the hurricanes. On that date, The Palladium will host a tribute to Jimmy Buffett with the largest gathering of Coral Reefer Band members and friends yet to come together in the Tampa Bay area for this Parrothead Celebration: Roger Bartlett (Coral Reefer #001, Jimmy's first road band member from Austin in 1973) and special guests, including current Coral Reefers Nadirah Shakoor and Tina Gullickson (vocals) who backed up Jimmy for three decades , Doyle Grisham on peddle steel (who first recorded with Jimmy on “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean” in the 70’s, continues be a signature element of the Coral Reefer Band sound) and John Frinzi on vocal and guitar. Also in the band is Vinnie Seplesky on bass, Rich McDonald on drums and Robin Swenson on keyboard. TICKETS HERE: https://palatspc.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/17610
ABOUT JOHN John Frinzi, lead vocalist and guitarist at many memorable Key West Meeting of the Minds gatherings, will also be performing. John Frinzi blends folk, pop and country, delivering a sunny, laid-back beach vibe. A gifted singer and songwriter, Frinzi has built an audience through craft and originality. An early demo caught the ear of legendary pedal steel guitarist Doyle Grisham, a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, and their working relationship led to John's first album, “Into The Dawn.” His second release, “Shoreline,” showcases Frinzi's versatility as a songwriter and vocalist with many of the songs co-written by Tom Corcoran, co-writer of the Buffett classics,“Fins,” and “Cuban Crime of Passion". Most recently, John teamed up with multi-platinum songwriter and producer Aaron Scherz to release "Blue Sky View". Singles from all of these albums remain in regular rotation on Sirius/XM's Radio Margaritaville. A seasoned live performer, Frinzi has toured nationally, performed in the Caribbean and Europe and has been featured at major festivals including Musikfest, The Keith Sykes Songwriters Celebration, Key West Songwriters Festival, Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival and has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Jesse Winchester, Mac McAnally, The Coral Reefer Band, Todd Snider and Maria Muldaur.
For More Info & Booking: johnfrinzimusic@gmail.com 863.430.8440 https://www.facebook.com/johnfrinzimusic/
ABOUT ROGER Roger is the original guitarist of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band. In the early days it was just Jimmy and Roger. Two acoustic guitars, and vocals. After a year on the road as a duo, and with the success of a hit song, Come Monday, it was clear a band was needed for the bigger venues they were playing, so Jimmy added Greg “Fingers” Taylor on harmonica and keyboard, Harry Dailey on bass and Phillip Fajardo on drums. Roger is also infamous as the singer and writer of the song Fool for a Blonde from the classic horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and for the many incarnations of his own bands, and as lead guitarist for many artists from New York to Las Vegas.
Roger was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Ray Bartlett, announcer for the nationally-syndicated radio show, The Louisiana Hayride, announced his birth to the coast-to-coast radio audience setting off a chain of events that continues today. His dad, besides sharing the Hayride stage with such legends as Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Horton and others, hosted his own show, Groovey's Boogie... with Groovey Boy, featuring the records of rhythm and blues and jazz artists like Muddy Waters, Johnny Otis, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. These were the musical influences that rocked Roger to sleep at night and played throughout the day.
RadioStPete.com news director and host Nanette Wiser knew trouble was on the hijinks horizon when Roger Bartlett, (the original Coral Reefer) came to our Thrive DTSP studio with John Frinzi; they often play together in Gulfport (North End Tap House) and around town - and the two riff together like Steve Martin and Martin Short. They're getting the band back together - the legendary Coral Reefers, of course - before they both head off to music festivals around the U. S. from Maryland to California.
The October 12 concert was rescheduled for January 11, 2025 due to the hurricanes. On that date, The Palladium will host a tribute to Jimmy Buffett with the largest gathering of Coral Reefer Band members and friends yet to come together in the Tampa Bay area for this Parrothead Celebration: Roger Bartlett (Coral Reefer #001, Jimmy's first road band member from Austin in 1973) and special guests, including current Coral Reefers Nadirah Shakoor and Tina Gullickson (vocals) who backed up Jimmy for three decades , Doyle Grisham on peddle steel (who first recorded with Jimmy on “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean” in the 70’s, continues be a signature element of the Coral Reefer Band sound) and John Frinzi on vocal and guitar. Also in the band is Vinnie Seplesky on bass, Rich McDonald on drums and Robin Swenson on keyboard. TICKETS HERE: https://palatspc.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/17610
ABOUT JOHN John Frinzi, lead vocalist and guitarist at many memorable Key West Meeting of the Minds gatherings, will also be performing. John Frinzi blends folk, pop and country, delivering a sunny, laid-back beach vibe. A gifted singer and songwriter, Frinzi has built an audience through craft and originality. An early demo caught the ear of legendary pedal steel guitarist Doyle Grisham, a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, and their working relationship led to John's first album, “Into The Dawn.” His second release, “Shoreline,” showcases Frinzi's versatility as a songwriter and vocalist with many of the songs co-written by Tom Corcoran, co-writer of the Buffett classics,“Fins,” and “Cuban Crime of Passion". Most recently, John teamed up with multi-platinum songwriter and producer Aaron Scherz to release "Blue Sky View". Singles from all of these albums remain in regular rotation on Sirius/XM's Radio Margaritaville. A seasoned live performer, Frinzi has toured nationally, performed in the Caribbean and Europe and has been featured at major festivals including Musikfest, The Keith Sykes Songwriters Celebration, Key West Songwriters Festival, Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival and has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Jesse Winchester, Mac McAnally, The Coral Reefer Band, Todd Snider and Maria Muldaur.
For More Info & Booking: johnfrinzimusic@gmail.com 863.430.8440 https://www.facebook.com/johnfrinzimusic/
ABOUT ROGER Roger is the original guitarist of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band. In the early days it was just Jimmy and Roger. Two acoustic guitars, and vocals. After a year on the road as a duo, and with the success of a hit song, Come Monday, it was clear a band was needed for the bigger venues they were playing, so Jimmy added Greg “Fingers” Taylor on harmonica and keyboard, Harry Dailey on bass and Phillip Fajardo on drums. Roger is also infamous as the singer and writer of the song Fool for a Blonde from the classic horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and for the many incarnations of his own bands, and as lead guitarist for many artists from New York to Las Vegas.
Roger was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Ray Bartlett, announcer for the nationally-syndicated radio show, The Louisiana Hayride, announced his birth to the coast-to-coast radio audience setting off a chain of events that continues today. His dad, besides sharing the Hayride stage with such legends as Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Horton and others, hosted his own show, Groovey's Boogie... with Groovey Boy, featuring the records of rhythm and blues and jazz artists like Muddy Waters, Johnny Otis, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. These were the musical influences that rocked Roger to sleep at night and played throughout the day.
Since arriving in Florida, Roger has taken more acoustic approach. Cuban and Brazilian music, acoustic guitar and Bossa Nova have had a strong influence on the musical direction he's taken. With his distinctive voice, lead guitar work and twisted sense of humor, his music is unique.
Roger has several albums out, the newest being SUNSET. It's a 14-song album filled with Latin rhythms, Jazz influences and Rhythm and Blues grooves. Finished during the pandemic lockdown, it features musicians from New York City and St. Petersburg.Florida. It has been very well received and Roger has just released a new video of a song from the album, Ocean Avenue. It's success has inspired Roger to beging work on a new album that will hopefully be released in 2023.
Roger has shared the stage with many artists. Some of the most notable are: The Eagles, James Taylor, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jackie Wilson, Hoyt Axton, Heart, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Doobie Brothers, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doc Watson, Steve Goodman, Charlie Daniels Band, Count Basie, Three Dog Night, Tom Rush, Pablo Cruise, John Hartford, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, the Drifters, Little Feat, and many, many more.
Roger has shared the stage with many artists. Some of the most notable are: The Eagles, James Taylor, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jackie Wilson, Hoyt Axton, Heart, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Doobie Brothers, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doc Watson, Steve Goodman, Charlie Daniels Band, Count Basie, Three Dog Night, Tom Rush, Pablo Cruise, John Hartford, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, the Drifters, Little Feat, and many, many more.
Roger lives and works out of St. Petersburg, Florida, playing with his band, as a sideman and as a composer and songwriter for albums, Theater, TV and film.
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