Russ Kunkel
Los Angeles, CA
Musician, Producer
Question:
You played drums for Jimmy Buffett in concert and on several of his albums. Later you became his producer. How did that come about?
Answer:
I first connected with Jimmy during the recording of the Volcano album. Having previously collaborated with Norbert Putnam, he recommended me to Jimmy for Volcano. The experience was enchanting – from being flown to Miami to meet the band, then flying to the magical AIR Studios in Montserrat, built by George Martin in the Caribbean.
Jimmy occasionally called me in for tracks on various albums. He invited me to Australia for shows during the America’s Cup race, where talks with Jimmy and Mike Utley sparked the idea for a more R&B-inspired album, leading to Hot Water, my first co-production with them. Jimmy later asked me to produce his next record, Fruitcakes, recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas.
I vividly recall Jimmy’s one rule before recording – “if it’s not fun, I’m not doing it.” Those sessions were the most enjoyable record-making experiences I’ve had. We continued our creative journey in Key West with Barometer Soup, Banana Wind, and finally Beach House on the Moon, a collaborative effort with past producers Norbert Putnam, Tony Brown and Mac McNally.
The time spent with Jimmy – working on music, surfing, playing golf, cooking and sharing stories – remains the most memorable period of my life. He profoundly changed my life by giving me the opportunity to ve a producer, and I miss him immensely.
