Buffett will sing at restaurant in Middleton
8:40 PM 12/30/03
Tom Alesia Wisconsin State Journal

Tropical singer Jimmy Buffett will lend his good-time image - and perform a short concert - to launch Cheeseburger in Paradise, a new Middleton chain restaurant half owned by the popular performer. <

The restaurant and bar, 1601 Aspen Commons off Greenway Boulevard, opens Jan. 12 with its bright island decor. Buffett's company, Margaritaville Holdings, joined with Outback Steakhouse, to form the Paradise chain in 2002. Middleton is its third location. <

What will most entice Buffett fans, known as Parrot Heads, is Buffett's 9- or 10-song concert in the restaurant during the early evening of Jan. 14. About 200 tickets will be available to the public. <

Despite the limited number of tickets, Cheeseburger in Paradise expects Buffett's appearance to raise more than $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Tickets, ranging from $150 to $500 per pair, may be purchased through the local Habitat office and three Madison radio stations. <

From Monday through Jan. 11, Madison-based Entercom radio stations - WMMM-FM (105.5), WOLX-FM (94.9) and WBZU-FM (105.1) - will hold phone call-in contests to give listeners the chance to buy two Buffett tickets for $150 total. Each station will offer about 20 pairs and all proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity, said Ray Quinn, vice president and market manager for Entercom. <

Habitat, meanwhile, will sell 50 tickets for $500 per pair. Only a few pairs remains, said Brian Miller, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. For information, call the Madison Habitat office at 255-1549. <

In addition, Habitat for Humanity will sell four six-seat tables at the show for $5,000 each. One of the four tables has been sold. All tickets include dinner and drinks. <

Given that Buffett, 57, sells out the 40,000-person capacity Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy each summer, it's likely his fans will eagerly pay for the intimate show. <

As for the restaurant, Greg Lynn, joint venture partner for Cheeseburger in Paradise, said it will feature a full menu. <

"It's not just hamburgers," Lynn said. "We have pizzas, salads, chicken and ribs. It's a Creole Caribbean-type menu." <

Lynn also said Buffett's ties will help initially. "But is it enough to keep a restaurant going? No. We've got to be good at what we do." <

Paradise will use its small stage for nearly nightly local live acts, mostly acoustic performers and some rock bands. During its first month, Paradise will open for dinner only, but it adds lunch on Saturdays and Sundays in February. <

Habitat's Miller and his staff have become overnight Buffett fans. <

"This will provide us enough funds for materials to build one house here," Miller said. <