Synopsis
Occupational Hazard is a feature documentary that 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.
From dusty road gigs and dive-bar rehearsals to the first big studio albums, the documentary details how this group crafted a sound and built a touring family—until the hard-partying lifestyle, dubbed the “heavy artillery years,” began to take its toll. Drug use led to burnout, and tragedy crept in, but Buffett’s desire to succeed resulted in a near-total transformation of the band on his road to becoming one of the most successful musicians of our generation.
This film is a tribute to Buffett and the original Coral Reefers, the places and people that shaped them, the volatile beauty of a musical moment that couldn’t last but changed everything and their candid sentiment toward Buffett. It’s the origin story upon which the Parrot Head empire was built upon, by the people who helped lay the foundation.
Meet the Director:
A Lifelong Connection to the Coast and the Coral Reefers
John H. Cunningham’s relationship with the world of Jimmy Buffett isn’t just professional—it’s personal. Their paths first crossed in the Florida Keys during the 1970s, a formative era that eventually led Cunningham to make Key West his home in 1978.
As a USA Today Bestselling author of a twelve-book adventure series set in Key West, Cunningham has long woven the spirit of the islands into his work. His deep-rooted friendships with the original Coral Reefers provide the heartbeat of this film. His collaborations include:
Songwriting:
Co-wrote Ghosts of Paris with Roger Bartlett and Hanging Out at Le Select with Keith Sykes.
Literary Collaboration:
Edited and helped publish Keith Sykes’ memoir, A Very Short Time, and is currently assisting legendary producer Norbert Putnam on the second edition of his book, Music Lessons: A Musical Memoir.
Community Roots:
A fixture in the Key West scene, Cunningham has written numerous novels set there, directed and produced short films that have been included in the Key West Film Festival, and seen the evolution of the island culture since the 1970s.
Cunningham’s unique access and shared history ensure that the story of the original Coral Reefers is told with unparalleled authenticity.
John H. Cunningham
“Journey through the 1970s and early 80s with the original members of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, as they recount their contributions to iconic albums, life on tour, and the lasting impact they had in shaping a unique genre of legendary music.”