Mac McAnally And Jimmy Buffett To Be Honored By GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
(117) The GRAMMY Museum Mississippi's 2026 Gala will honor longtime friends, collaborators, and Mississippi natives Mac McAnally and the late Jimmy Buffett, each with the coveted Crossroads of American Music Award in Cleveland, Miss., on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.
Representing the GRAMMY Award-winning group Shenandoah for the evening, founding members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire will join McAnally for a special acoustic performance. McAnally co-penned their massive No. 1 song "Two Dozen Roses," and has been a longtime friend of the band, with connective ties to Muscle Shoals, Ala.
The sold-out event will feature a reception, seated dinner, live music, and both a silent and live auction. One of the annual highlights of the night is the presentation of the 2026 L.U.C.Y. Award, which honors a K-12 educator from the state of Mississippi who embodies the educational mission of Grammy Museum Mississippi.
Both natives of Mississippi - Jimmy Buffett, born in Pascagoula, and Mac McAnally, raised in Belmont - the two musicians first met after Buffett had gotten a copy of McAnally's self-titled 1977 album. Buffett followed up by writing him a note that said, "We're both from Mississippi. We're both storytellers. We're going to be friends." That note blossomed into a decades-long working relationship and friendship during which McAnally wrote or co-wrote, as well as produced, several songs with Buffett, including "It's My Job," "Coast of Carolina," and "Oysters and Pearls," among others. Though he'd been collaborating closely with Buffett as a songwriter and in the studio since the early 1980s, he officially joined Buffett's Coral Reefer Band as a touring member in 1993. All in all, Buffett and McAnally's professional relationship spanned over four decades of recording, songwriting, and touring.
"It is a tremendous honor to dedicate our 2026 Gala to celebrating two of Mississippi's most beloved musicians, Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally, whose friendship and creative partnership spanned more than four decades," said Emily Havens, Executive Director of Grammy Museum Mississippi. "Their story is such a special part of Mississippi's musical legacy, and we're excited to celebrate not only their extraordinary contributions to American music, but also the friendship behind so much of the music they made together. Having Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire of Shenandoah join us for a special performance honoring Jimmy and Mac will make the evening even more meaningful, and we can't wait to share this celebration with our guests."
"Mac is the most talented musician, singer, and songwriter I have ever known. We're honored to celebrate him, and congratulations to a great friend!" said Marty Raybon from Shenandoah.
Established by the Museum's Board of Directors, the Crossroads of American Music Award honors artists whose extraordinary contributions to music reflect the creativity and cultural legacy born in the cradle of American music. Previous recipients include Grammy winners Bobby Rush, the late Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keb' Mo', Marty Stuart, Rosanne Cash, and Trombone Shorty. The annual Grammy Museum Mississippi Gala is the Museum's signature fundraising event. Proceeds from this year's Gala will benefit the Museum's education programs, which seek to use music as a gateway to learning by inspiring and cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.
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