In college I dated a girl who determined I am a Jimmy Buffett fan, but definitely not a parrot head. His non parrot head songs are fantastic. I'll listen to his mainstream stiff occasionally but I can go without it. Here's a few I would recommend:
African Friend
Lonely Palm
Death of an Unpopular Poet
Biloxi
Banana Republics
Captain and the Kid
Little Miss Magic
I Have Found Me a Home
Distantly In Love
Defying Gravity
Survive
Tin Cup Chalice (which probably actually is a parrot head song)
As to the OP, cool story bro!