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Press Releases | |
Aug 01, 2000
Jimmy Buffett Rocks a Sold-Out Crowd at Southampton CollegeOver $1.2 Million Raised for Southampton College Marine Science Scholarships
Contact:
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, who headlined the 10th All For The Sea benefit concert at Southampton College of Long Island University, delighted a crowd of 9000 last night and raised over $1.2 million for marine science scholarships.
The net proceeds broke the mark set at last year's benefit concert by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This year's show also set records for the highest VIP attendance (1500) and Alumni ticket sales (1250). With 10 concerts in the past nine years, All For The Sea has raised nearly $5 million.
Buffett's show was the quickest sellout in All For The Sea History. Tickets were unavailable just three and a half weeks after they went on sale. Buffett acknowledged his strong local fan base during the show in his between-songs conversations with the audience. He added references not only to the College but also to the Metro Parrothead Club. It was Buffett who began a string of consecutive sellouts with his 1996 All For The Sea show. Since then, artists James Taylor, Rod Stewart and Tom Petty have also sold out the annual benefit that aids students in Southampton College of Long Island University's nationally recognized marine and environmental science programs. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band brought back their songs of beachside romance and Margaritaville daydreaming to a capacity crowd last night, playing favorites like "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and, of course, "Margaritaville," along with a cover of "Brown Eyed Girl."
On stage to introduce Buffett was College Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman, who co-chaired the benefit with his wife Laura Baudo Sillerman. In May, the Sillermans announced that they were donating $15 million through their Tomorrow Foundation for scholarships and a library renovation. In that same spirit, Buffett said that he was donating his concert fee back to the College, as he had also done in 1996.
"All For The Sea has become a Hamptons tradition that's more popular each year," said Provost Tim Bishop. "But it couldn't be done without the dedicated help of College and community volunteers. We are very thankful to them for making this year's show an overwhelming success." Previous performers were Crosby, Stills & Nash (1992), Tina Turner (1993), Foreigner and the Doobie Brothers (1994), Tony Bennett (1995), the Allman Brothers (1996), Buffett (1996), James Taylor (1997), Rod Stewart (1998) and Petty (1999).
The marine and environmental sciences programs at Southampton College are nationally acclaimed for their excellence and have produced 32 Fulbright Scholars in the past 25 years.