A1A

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, based in Atlanta, Georgia, to join his already successful one-man tribute to Jimmy Buffett. In 1992, the band won a Jimmy Buffett Sound Alike Contest for Jimmy's new record label, Margaritaville Records, bringing them to the attention of Jimmy Buffett and his organization. 

Through the growing success of A1A and the number of Parrot Head Clubs forming across the nation, by the end of 1992, A1A was granted permission by Jimmy and his management team to bill themselves as "A1A - The Official & Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show." Jeff Pike and A1A, the longest Jimmy Buffett Tribute show in history, remains true to Jimmy's vision and is the only Tribute Show ever officially endorsed by Jimmy Buffett.

In its 34-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 many members of his band, the late 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. 

Starting in 1992, A1A was the first band to perform at the annual 'Meeting of The Minds,' Jimmy Buffett's Annual Parrot Head Convention. They headlined for the next seven years. The band was the first act to perform and repeatedly perform at many other national landmark yearly Parrot Head Events, which continue to this day. This 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 appeared in Jimmy Buffett's MTV Video, 'Fruitcakes.' In 1995, Jeff Pike performed 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 1998, A1A recorded their first live CD, "A1A Live." It was produced by Jimmy Buffett's bass player, Jim Mayer, and featured performances by Jimmy's longtime harmonica player, Greg "Fingers" Taylor. 

That same year, Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer Band Members Michael Utley and Robert Greenidge performed with A1A during their headline performance at the Meeting Of The Minds in Key West, Florida. A1A introduced a future Trop Rock star to the world at that same show: a young 14-year-old steel drum player and songwriter named John Patti.

In 2001, A1A recorded their second live CD, "A1A and Friends—Live at Hemingway's." This CD, recorded at Hemingway's in Marietta, Georgia, featured Amy Lee, Jimmy Buffett's longtime saxophone player.

In 2003, A1A released "Ship Happens!!!," their first all-original trop rock CD. The CD release coincided with their performance on the Atlanta Parrot Head Club Cruise to the Caribbean that year. They also performed on the 2004 and 2005 cruises.

In 2004, founding member Scott Nickerson left the band for personal, professional, and health reasons. He relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he still resides and performs with Trop Rock Musicians nationwide. Jeff and Scott still get together for an occassional reunion concert.

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,' which was included in the movie and on the soundtrack released by Capitol Records. 

In 2016, A1A was honored to be requested to perform by 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 critical. A1A's concert tours take them from coast to coast, playing to record numbers of Jimmy Buffett fans. 

The energy, fun, excitement, authenticity, musicianship, originality, and continuous honest dedication to preserving Jimmy Buffett'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 and foremost Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show in history.