Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers

Occupational Hazard traces the origins and evolution of Jimmy Buffett’s original Coral Reefer Band during the 1970s and early 1980s—a group of wildly talented, often unruly characters whose creative energy and personal chemistry helped define Buffett’s most iconic early work. Set largely in Key West, a place the bandmates describe as having its own rhythm and creative spark, the film delves into how this laid-back island community shaped not only the music but the mindset of the early Coral Reefers. Through rare, never-before-seen archival footage and deeply personal interviews with founding members, tour managers, producers and music legends, Occupational Hazard captures the camaraderie, chaos, and magic of an era that thrived on freedom and lived without a rulebook.

In Attendance: Director John H. Cunningham, Producer Ted E. Haynes