Sail into summer at the Hiawassee DDA's 4th Annual FUN-Draiser featuring A1A - The Official & Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show!

On July 18, 2026, we're taking Towns County straight to paradise. Doors open at 5:30pm and the concert kicks off at 7pm. It will be an evening of classic island vibes and feel-good Buffett energy! This isn't just a concert — it's an experience. Kick back island-style with food trucks, browse a huge silent auction, try your luck with our wine pull, and throw your fins up for a 50/50 raffle.

Two ticket tiers help you choose your version of paradise:

General Admission – bring your flip-flops and enjoy the island breeze.

VIP Tables – six premium seats closest to the stage, a delicious charcuterie board, two bottles of wine, and complimentary water/tea/lemonade. It's basically a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” level upgrade… minus the cheeseburger (but trust us, the food trucks have you covered).

And here's the best part: every ticket sold helps us grow the Paris Business Center, Hiawassee's new hub for entrepreneurship and community innovation. The PBC is a thriving small business center and incubator where our region's businesses can test ideas, attend workshops, and find the support they need to succeed. When you party with us, you're fueling local jobs, expanding resources for small business owners, and helping this revitalized historic building shine in the heart of downtown. Now that's a reason to raise a glass!

A1A brings the authenticity, energy, and beach-party magic that venues nationwide call a 10 out of 10, “pure escapism,” and “an experience!” If you're ready for an unforgettable night on island time, grab your tickets now, because it's always 5 o'clock in Hiawassee on July 18th.

Fins up — we'll see you at the FUN-Draiser!

A1A – The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show was formed in 1991 when lead vocalist and guitarist Jeff Pike invited Scott Nickerson, founder of the first Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head Club, to join his already successful one-man tribute to Jimmy Buffett. In 1992, the band won a Jimmy Buffett Sound Alike Contest for Margaritaville Records, bringing them to the attention of Jimmy Buffett and his organization.

Starting in 1992, A1A was the first band to perform at and repeatedly headline the annual Jimmy Buffett 'Meeting of The Minds' Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head Convention and many other national landmark yearly Parrot Head Events. These performances laid the foundation for the fundamental building and growth of the National Jimmy Buffett fan base, Parrot Head Club community and the Trop Rock and Coastal Americana Music genres as they are today.

In 1993, A1A was invited to take part in Jimmy Buffett's MTV Video, 'Fruitcakes. ' In 1995, Jeff Pike performed “Cheeseburger In Paradise" with Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia. The show was recorded and released as "Jimmy Buffett's Barometer Soup Radio Special." This show and Jeff's performance still receive regular rotation on Jimmy Buffett's "Radio Margaritaville" on SiriusXM Radio.

In its 32-year history, A1A has played to countless high-profile clients, Parrot Heads, and fans nationwide and continues to draw large crowds to their performances. Jimmy Buffett and members of his band, Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Mac McAnally, Michael Utley, Robert Greenidge, Peter Mayer, Amy Lee, Nadirah Shakoor, and Tina Gullickson, have all performed with A1A over the years. In 2009, Mac McAnally and Nadirah Shakoor chose A1A as her backup band to help promote her Mailboat Records Release, 'Nod To The Story Teller.'

In 2012, Jimmy Buffett was instrumental in landing A1A in the Lions Gate Major Motion Picture Release, 'What to Expect When You're Expecting.' The band recorded Jimmy's classic, 'Why Don't We Get Drunk,' included in the movie and on the soundtrack released by Capitol Records. In 2016, A1A was honored to be requested to perform with Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally as their band in a private performance for State Dignitaries and some of Jimmy's personal friends at The Masters Open in Augusta, Georgia. A1A closed out 2016 at The Labor Day End of Summer Beach Bash for The Washington State Fair with Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, and Uncle Kracker.

Today, the band's popularity continues to grow, and with Jimmy Buffett's devastating passing in September 2023, their mission, show, and presence are ever more important. A1A's 2024 concert reason took them from coast to coast playing to record numbers of Jimmy Buffett fans who crave the authenticity, honesty, integrity, excitement, fun and professionalism of an A1A show.

The energy, musicianship, excitement, and continuous honest dedication to preserving Jimmy Buffet's legacy that has always surrounded a Jeff Pike and A1A performance are an experience and a driving force that has helped the band remain the first, foremost, and longest-running Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show in history.

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