Key West Art & Historical Society Presents “Yes, I am a Pirate” — A Special Author Lecture, Panel Discussion & Book Signing with Scott Atwell
August 11, 2025 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Art & Historical Society, in partnership with Just A Few Friends Key West, invites the public to a compelling afternoon of storytelling, music history, and cultural exploration at Tropic Cinema with a Distinguished Speaker Series lecture titled “Yes, I am a Pirate.” The event features author and native Conch Scott Atwell, who will present his latest work uncovering the real-life inspiration behind one of Jimmy Buffett’s most iconic songs, “A Pirate Looks at Forty.”
Taking place on Friday, August 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., this unique event offers an intimate look into the life of Phil Clark, the enigmatic figure who inspired Buffett’s legendary ballad. While the song conjures a poetic image of a romantic rogue, Atwell’s meticulously researched book, “Buffett Backstories,” reveals a far more complex character—one who transformed from New York socialite to tropical outlaw, leaving a wake of scandal, mystery, and reinvention behind him.
“This isn’t just a story about one man,” says Atwell. “It’s a narrative that threads through the very fabric of Key West history and the mythos of Jimmy Buffett’s music.”
Following the lecture, Atwell will be joined on stage for a dynamic guest panel discussion, featuring individuals whose lives were directly touched by Clark:
• Carol Shaughnessy, writer and one of Clark’s former fiancées, who later became editor of Buffett’s “Coconut Telegraph” newsletter.
• Chris Robinson, veteran flats guide and former bartender at the legendary Chart Room, who lived below Jimmy Buffett in the Waddell Street compound.
• Flip McCririck, Clark’s first-born son and acclaimed sports photographer, who only recently discovered his father’s connection to Buffett’s legacy.
Atwell will also be on hand to sell and sign copies of his book, “Buffett Backstories,” a must-have for Parrotheads and Key West history buffs alike. The book dives deep into the origins of Jimmy Buffett’s most beloved songs, blending music, memory, and real-life characters like Phil Clark who helped shape an island-era legend.
Tickets to “Yes, I am a Pirate” are $15 per person, and advance purchase is highly recommended. Tickets and additional information are available at kwahs.org/event/dss-pirate. For more information, contact Dr. Cori Convertito on 305-295-6616 x507 or [email protected].
Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
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IMAGE 1: Scott Atwell, author of “Buffett Backstories,” explores the real-life inspiration behind Jimmy Buffett’s iconic song “A Pirate Looks at Forty” in his upcoming talk, “Yes, I am a Pirate,” at Tropic Cinema on August 29, 2025 as part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Tickets available at kwahs.org/event/dss-pirate. (Photo courtesy of Scott Atwell)
