Jimmy Buffet

I was just listening to one of Arch’s favorite songs…..it sure brought back memories. Sirius Radio has a Jimmy Buffet station called Margaritaville, and in my car, it is hard to not break into song, just as Arch did. That crazy man I was married to was one of the original Parrot Heads, a group of people who are interested in the music of Jimmy Buffett and the tropical lifestyle he personifies.



So what was Arch’s favorite? None other than Pencil Thin Mustache. I recently tried to download this song as my ringtone on my phone. I thought it would be great to have that little bit of Arch each time my phone rang…..well, I finally gave up. After numerous attempts and much frustration, I cancelled that idea.  Sometimes life is just too hard! And then there is the fact that I am getting older every day…..maybe downloading is a thing of my past.

Anyway, back to Arch and singing. Arch sang like Foghorn Leghorn, that lovable old rooster in Looney Tunes cartoons. Both Arch and Foghorn were loud and off key.
Arch loved to sing, much to the distress of those around him! I never minded however. I thought his gravely old croaking and crowing (there is simply no other way to describe his voice) was charming.


Arch, singing at his
80th Birthday Celebration.

 We didn’t have Sirius Radio in the Saab back then, just a cd player. We traveled with a stack of our favorites and while I drove, Arch played DJ. Jimmy Buffet was always with us, but then, so were Frank and Dean, Nat King Cole and Patti Page, Pete Fountain, and of course, the Everly Brothers.
We were known to throw some clothes in a suitcase, drive to the end of the driveway, and then decide which way to go. In the summer of 2000, we drove east to North Carolina, west to Las Vegas, Nevada, North to Duluth, Minnesota and south to Corpus Christi, Texas. Thousands of miles and I bet he sang Pencil Thin Mustache well over a hundred times. When it was time for the chorus, Arch kicked it in to high gear (extra loud and extremely off key!) And he grinned the whole time!


“I wish I had a pencil thin mustache
The "Boston Blackie" kind
A two toned Ricky Ricardo jacket
And an autographed picture of Andy Devine


I remember bein' buck-toothed and skinny
Writin' fan letters to Sky's niece Penny
Oh I wish I had a pencil thin mustache
Then I could solve some mysteries too”
(the chorus to Pencil Thin Mustache, written by Jimmy Buffet)


I think my favorite song that Arch sang, was  “It Had to Be You”. He held my hand and always ended with a wink. Arch Tucker was quite a character….and yes, usually off key.


Any tips on downloading ringtones?