Kenny Chesney Says Jimmy Buffett ‘Taught a Lot of People About the Poetry in Just Living’ (Exclusive)

Kenny Chesney remembers Jimmy Buffett.

After the singer and songwriter died on Friday at the age of 76 from Merkel cell skin cancer, the country singer (55) paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend with PEOPLE, highlighting the star’s influence and songwriting style. “Jimmy painted pictures and short stories in every song he wrote,” Chesney tells PEOPLE exclusively. “He taught a lot of people poetry while he was alive, especially this kid from East Tennessee,” he adds.

Chesney also posted a tribute to his friend on Instagram on Saturday, sharing a video of himself performing Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at Forty” on the beach while wishing his friend goodbye in the caption of the post.

“So goodbye Jimmy,” Chesney wrote. “Thank you for your friendship and songs that I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor 🦜🌴🌊.”

Back in 2021, the country singer surprised fans when he joined Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band on stage in Nashville to perform “Margaritaville.”

“It’s always great to be on stage with my friends Jimmy Buffett, Mac McAnally and the rest of the Coral Reefer Band. Thanks for the invite Jimmy,” Chesney wrote on Instagram at the time alongside a video of the performance.

Jimmy Buffett arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Remembering Jimmy Buffett’s life in photos

Chesney’s 2018 album Songs for saints features Buffett on a version of his 1974 song “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season,” while an early Chesney album even includes a reference to Buffett in the song.

His song “How Forever Feels” from the album from 1999 Wherever we go mentions the singer by name in the lyrics: “Little umbrella margaritas, coconut oil and senorites / Oh, now I know how Jimmy Buffett feels.”

The two friends also appeared on stage to perform “Hey Good Lookin'” at the 2004 CMAs, along with others including Alan Jackson and Toby Keith.

Shortly thereafter, in 2005, Chesney paid tribute to his fellow singer in an interview with Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

“I think everybody’s eager for Jimmy Buffett,” he said at the time, adding, “Deep down, Jimmy’s always been a country artist. His songs had a rural soul.”

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Buffett died on Friday surrounded by his loved ones, it was confirmed on Saturday.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” the statement – which was accompanied by a picture of Buffett sitting on a boat – read. “He lived his life like a song until his last breath and will be missed by many.”

Later, an official obituary for the star was posted on Buffett’s website, stating that he died of Merkel cell skin cancer, which he was diagnosed with four years ago. (Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer that often begins as “red, shiny nodules on the face, arms, and neck,” according to MD Anderson Cancer Center.)

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Singer-songwriter — whose new album Equal load on all parts was due to be released later this year – he is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane, and his three children: Savannah, Sarah and Cameron.

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Source: HIS Education