Buffett Touring This Summer After All

[Sweet Jane 61]

Jeff Vrabel, Jacksonville, Fla.

Despite dropping hints that he'd be taking the summer off, Jimmy Buffett has announced a handful of dates for a 2006 summer tour.

Downgraded in scope from his usual summer trek but still hitting his most popular markets, the tour will comprise two short legs. The first begins June 2 at the Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater in Atlanta, and wraps up a week later at the Riverbend Amphitheater in Cincinnati. Leg two opens on Aug. 1 at the Tweeter Center in Camden, N.J., and wraps up with Aug. 10 and 12 shows at Boston's Tweeter Center, something of a tradition for New England Parrotheads.

In addition to the summer run, a five-date spring tour starts April 18 at the Cricket Pavilion in Phoenix and ends April 28 at the Smirnoff Music Centre in Dallas. There are currently no plans for any special event shows, like last year's two-day stand at Wrigley Field or 2004's similar excursion to

Fenway Park.

As previously reported, Buffett is assembling the soundtrack to the Wil Shriner-directed teen drama, "Hoot," based on the Carl Hiassen novel. The film, which finds Buffett in a small role as a marine science teacher, is set for release on April 28. In addition, Buffett has been finishing tracks for a new album at his Shrimp Boat Studios in Key West, Fla.