The Business Alabama Awards on Friday will feature a special recognition of Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter whose business success went beyond the music business.
“Jimmy Buffett was not only a beloved singer and songwriter, but he was an astute businessman with a number of successful ventures in different areas,” said Alec Harvey, executive editor of Business Alabama magazine. “That’s what the Business Alabama Awards are all about – honoring people with Alabama ties who have been successful in the business world.”
Buffett was born in Mobile and gained a worldwide following with songs such as “Come Monday,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.” His song “Margaritaville” spawned licensing for resorts, restaurants, clothing and much more.
In addition to recognizing Buffett, who died in September, Friday’s awards will honor five previously announced Lifetime Achievement recipients: Lonnie Johnson, who invented the SuperSoaker water gun; Don Logan, who led Southern Progress and Time Warner’s Media and Communications Group before buying the Birmingham Barons and B.A.S.S. organization; James W. Rane, founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving; and restaurateurs Frank Stitt and Pardis Stitt, owners of Highlands Bar & Grill, Bottega and Chez Fonfon.
At the luncheon, winners will also be announced in seven categories: CEO of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Philanthropic Project of the Year, Alabama Expat of the Year, Startup of the Year and Project of the Year. The winners will be chosen from 40 finalists in the categories.
