The “Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor Experience” is opening at The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in Mobile, Alabama on Sept. 12, inviting visitors into the life, music and Gulf Coast spirit of one of the region’s most influential icons.

Opening weekend begins Sept. 11 with “Margaritas and Memories,” featuring Mac McAnally and Scotty Emerick at the historic Saenger Theater, followed by the grand opening and unveiling of a new bronze Buffett sculpture on Sept. 12. Additional events will include live music and a nautical-inspired mural festival in Cooper Riverside Park.

More than a traditional museum exhibit, the permanent installation spans 6,000 square feet and combines a gallery of rare artifacts with an immersive concert experience. The exhibit explores Buffett not only as a musician, but as an author, sailor, pilot, entrepreneur, adventurer, philanthropist and storyteller whose influence extended far beyond music. The experience brings together more than 130 artifacts from Buffett’s life and career, including handwritten lyrics, his 12-string Martin guitar, his 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame statue, rare concert and recording footage, and a full-scale recreation of Shrimp Boat Sound, his Key West recording studio.

Buffett’s connection to the Gulf Coast was central to his life and work. He grew up in Mobile, where his family had deep ties to the maritime industry, and the region remained a constant presence throughout his career. The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf is located on Mobile’s waterfront, across the Mobile River from the area where Buffett’s parents worked at Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. The museum also preserves artifacts connected to his grandfather’s maritime history, creating a direct connection between the exhibition and the Buffett family’s Gulf Coast and maritime heritage.

“Creating the Jimmy Buffett Experience has been an absolute honor for our entire team. We have spent nearly two years listening, researching, collecting stories, curating artifacts, and working to capture the remarkable life of a man who meant so much to so many people,” says Karen Poth, Executive Director of the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. “We didn’t get far into this project before we realized this exhibition will never be a finished story. It is a living exhibit. And it will continue to change and grow as new stories are shared, new artifacts come to light, and we learn more about Jimmy and the world he created. Opening the doors on Sept. 12 is not the end of this journey; it is the beginning.”

Advance tickets are currently available for admission to both the Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor Experience and the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf.

Hagan Edge, Dalton Daniels, Jeffrey Parish, Mitchell Douglas and Noah Patrick. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Sons of Habit made their Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday night (Aug. 14) with a three-song performance.

The rising band opened their set with “5:21” and shed a few tears as they took in the significance of the moment. They followed with “Nostalgia” before closing with their breakout hit “Madeline,” the first song the band ever wrote and released. Their performance earned a standing ovation from the packed Opry audience.

“You dream your whole life for something like this. Ever since I can remember I’ve dreamt of every little detail about this place and this moment,” shared Sons of Habit’s Mitchell Douglas from inside the circle.

Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, Sons of Habit, comprised of Douglas, Hagan Edge, Dalton Daniels, Jeffrey Parish and Noah Patrick, has amassed millions of streams and toured alongside Dylan Gossett, 49 Winchester, Ole 60 and Shane Smith & The Saints. The band signed with Lucille Records/MCA earlier this year.

Brooks & Dunn will celebrate 35 years since the release of their debut album Brand New Man with a first-ever vinyl pressing out Oct. 23.

Thirty-five years after its release, the album’s songs remain fixtures of country culture, continuing to connect with longtime fans while finding new audiences around the world. Originally released on August 13, 1991, Brand New Man featured 10 self-penned tracks and sparked a career filled with chart-topping hits, sold-out tours and even a line-dance revival, underpinning three-plus decades as the most iconic duo in country history.

The album dominated the country charts through the early ‘90s with four consecutively-released No. 1 hits, “Brand New Man,” “Neon Moon,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” It landed in the top 5 on Billboard’s Country Album chart and inside the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200 before going on to become certified 7x Platinum.

“When we released Brand New Man, we were two songwriters trying to make the best record we could and hoping people would connect with it,” says Kix Brooks. “To see those songs still finding their way to new fans 35 years later is something we never could have imagined. Getting to finally put this album on vinyl and celebrate where it all started is pretty special.”

“We never set out to make a record that would still be talked about 35 years later, we were just two crazy guys chasing the Nashville dream,” Ronnie Dunn adds. “The fans are the reason these songs have lasted, and seeing the younger generation connect with them is what keeps it exciting. Brand New Man will always be a special part of our story.”

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): WME’s Lindsey Hastings, Jaid Joice and F13 Music Group’s Keith Hoffman. (Back Row, L-R): WME’s Lance Roberts, Geoff Turner, Jon Folk and Braeden Rountree. Photo: Courtesy of WME

Jaid Joice has signed with WME.

Joice began playing guitar at the age of nine. She signed her first label development agreement at 13 and publishing agreement at 18. Joice will provide support for both Muscadine Bloodline and Avery Anna on select tour dates.

“I am beyond excited to join the WME family. The artists WME has worked with have been a huge inspiration to me from a young age,” shared Joice. “I am grateful for the journey to come, with a team built on perseverance and a true love for live music!”

“Every once in a while, an artist comes along whose talent is simply undeniable, and Jaid is one of those artists,” shares WME’s Jon Folk. “She has a voice you don’t forget, incredible instincts as a musician and an authenticity that immediately connects. We’re incredibly excited to represent her and help build what we believe will be a very special career.”

Joice continues to be represented by F13 Music Group for management and Lost Highway Records for label services.