In early January, Band of Heathens carried out on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Seashores Cruise. The band’s drummer, Richard Millsap, spent some portion of the day writing a diary as a result of — because it simply so occurs — his father Dave Millsap used to play guitar in Delbert’s band within the 80s.
Over the course of the week, Millsap shared the ups and downs of the expertise and is sharing them with the lots.
Day 1
What began out 26 years in the past as an annual get-together for a pair hundred individuals has become one thing a lot bigger than Delbert and Wendy McClinton could have ever imagined. This morning, as I headed to Holland America’s MS Zuiderdam in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I joined 2,000 different musicians and followers who’ve flown in from all around the world for this pageant on the ocean. The annual Sandy Seashores Cruise is per week onboard a ship with world-class stay music from midday to typically as late as 4am, with all you’ll be able to eat meals and free room service!! That, mixed with the nice vibes, the welcoming fellow cruisers that rapidly turn into mates (or household), and the prospect that the one that sits down subsequent to you on the bar is perhaps Delbert himself, makes this an extremely particular week that I, and plenty of others, by no means wish to miss.
I personally maintain a really particular place in my coronary heart for this cruise. I first got here on board with my father, Dave Millsap: a Ft. Value guitar participant who toured with Delbert for the higher half of the 1980s. So though I’ve identified Delbert and his household my entire life, and I’d identified in regards to the cruise for years, January 2010 was my first time on the cruise. It was additionally the week that I met my future spouse. Lucy Wilson is the daughter of Teresa James and Terry Wilson of Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps. Lucy and her brother, Jesse Wilson (who joined The Band of Heathens a number of years in the past), have been happening the cruise with their mother and father since they have been youngsters. I believe it’s truthful to say that I owe an enormous deal of gratitude to Delbert, Wendy, their daughter, Delaney, and the remaining of the cruisers for what it has given to me and positively everybody else. Delaney will sometimes take a look at me and say “You’re welcome.” She is, indubitably, proper. Lucy and I felt honored to have the three of them at our wedding ceremony. It was the least they may do, being that our state of affairs was their fault. The marriage felt prefer it might have nearly been a cruise-on-land social gathering, simply by about half of the individuals there being cruisers, themselves. And I couldn’t have requested for a greater band to kick off the reception than my dad on guitar and Delbert singing.
Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps began the week with a implausible set on the pool deck stage, situated on the again of the boat. This stage and the theatre are the 2 essential phases on board. The pool deck stage offers you an nearly 360 diploma view of the ocean. You’ll be able to’t beat a present on the market, particularly with a gaggle just like the Rhythm Tramps. This band is all about groove in a Texas, Memphis, Muscle Shoals trifecta variety of means, and there isn’t a greater band on board to get all people within the temper for the headliner of the night time; the person himself and the actual factor, Delbert McClinton.
Delbert got here out on stage and there was no query what his function is. With whole management of the stage and the viewers, he launched into his first set of the week, to a deck full of his followers and mates. He’s Texas and he’s Ft. Value, however extra importantly, he’s trustworthy. He’s up there singing and it’s in each means his true self. That’s life and there’s just one method to be taught it. Delbert has his core band, however this being the friends-and-family expertise that it’s, you by no means know who’s going to be requested to hitch any of the bands throughout their performances. Midway by means of his set, he referred to as up his long-time cohort and previous writing associate, Glen Clark. Delbert & Glen mentioned “hey
LA, bye bye Texas” within the early 70s and made a pair of data on the market throughout that point. For me, the primary D&G album is a “desert island” document. Please discover it, personal it, hearken to it, and unfold the gospel! When Glen acquired up on stage with Delbert, the stage remodeled to an previous Texas Roadhouse…perhaps one of their previous haunts on Jacksboro Freeway they grew up taking part in in. Everybody was out on the deck watching this present ‘til the final word.
Delbert ended round 11:30p, simply in time for the lido deck restaurant’s late-night buffet, which is simply steps away from the stage. Anybody approaching this cruise for the primary time will be taught rapidly: meals occur far more than simply Three occasions a day. So regardless that dinner was solely a pair hours in the past, I grabbed a plate and sat down with some mates for dinner quantity two. If this wasn’t the primary night time, subsequent on the checklist can be to roam the ship to search out one of the numerous late-night jams. Half of what units this cruise other than the opposite music cruises is the impromptu jams: teams of gamers all from completely different bands, headliners, and typically Delbert himself, taking part in collectively and having a good time. The respect that everybody has for one another on this boat, whether or not it’s musician to musician, or fan to musician, or musician to fan, is what makes this such an amazing expertise for everybody. The boundary that separates artist and passenger is non-existent as a result of it doesn’t must be there in any respect. There aren’t any “Artist Solely” areas, or artist laminates, or something that creates any variety of hierarchy onboard. Everyone seems to be respectful, and welcoming, and we’re all right here collectively to have the most effective week of our yr.
However being that it’s night time 1 of 7, and most of the people had a protracted day of journey, nearly everybody’s gameplan is to take it straightforward tonight and save the night time owling for tomorrow. (Sure, when it’s a week-long social gathering, there may be technique concerned.) And with that…I can not await tomorrow and the remaining of this week!
_____________________________
Day 2
Immediately began out a bit sooner than anticipated. Since there wasn’t a lot occurring final night time, after Delbert’s present, I ended up attending to mattress round 1am. Lucy and I took our breakfast out on our balcony and loved a pleasant, calm morning. With our breakfast got here the Captain’s day by day announcement, this time with information that, over the following 24 hours, waves will stand up to 15 toes. (“…put on wise sneakers and be careful for doorways closing on their very own…”) Get the movement illness gear prepared! There are loads of individuals on board who aren’t affected by seasickness in any respect. Lucy and I will be delicate to it, so we all the time convey homeopathic movement illness aids – important oils, ginger chews, acupressure wristbands (they actually do work!) – and normally after the primary couple of days, we begin to get used to it and don’t want them anymore.
Some of the highlights of the day included beginning out with a rockin’ set from one other Ft. Value-born artist and buddy, Casey James. After, I went again to my room for a bit nap (once more – technique is critical) and set my alarm to verify I could possibly be up and again out on the pool
deck early sufficient to get a great spot for The Mavericks. There was a chair arrange on stage on the entrance, the place Raul Malo normally leads the band, which appeared curious. Raul rolled as much as the stage with one leg up on a scooter, and his foot in a forged. And though he needed to sit throughout their set, it had completely no impact on the vitality the band put out. For an hour and a half, they’d everybody out on the pool deck on their toes and dancing to the hypnotic groove that’s The Mavericks.
Subsequent, I walked as much as the Crow’s Nest for the 5pm Pink Younger “glad hour” set. Pink Younger is an outstanding keyboardist and singer, born in Ft. Value, and is one of the busiest gamers on the boat. You’ll see him all through the week sitting in with completely different artists, however he additionally has a pair of day by day exhibits: glad hour at 5pm with a full band, and the late night time hold at 1am with grand piano, upright bass, brushes on a snare drum and visitor vocalists. Immediately’s glad hour band was “Texas Pink and the Can’t Hardly Playboys” a la Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. On stage together with Pink have been gamers from 5 completely different bands. Earlier than they kicked off the primary tune, Pink launched the set by saying “…that is the music all of us grew up on…”. I actually appreciated this remark as a result of everybody on that stage was taking part in with artists on the boat who differ in model, however they’re coming collectively for this particular present to play the music of their youth, and their ardour for western swing is one thing all of them have in widespread. James Pennebaker (guitar with Delbert’s band) kicks off the set singing and taking part in fiddle, “In my coronary heart, lies a melody…”. As their taking part in, I skilled a bit of a surreal second. James is from Ft. Value and he and my dad went to highschool collectively and toured collectively in Delbert’s band. There’s a photograph of my dad on the hospital holding me as a new child and standing subsequent to him is James. Additionally on stage is Teresa James, who’s my mother-in-law, Pink Younger, a buddy I’ve identified for years, Danny Cochran (drums), an expensive buddy and mentor from Ft. Value and somebody I’ve identified since I used to be a child, and David Jackson (bass), one other expensive buddy who, it simply so occurs, was the officiant at my wedding ceremony. David is an extremely pleasant particular person and has a really spectacular musical background and historical past. For the sake of protecting issues in context I’ll solely say that he performed bass on the primary Delbert & Glen album. It’s all linked! Not less than, we’re all linked and Delbert is the widespread thread. I’m consistently reminded of simply how shut this household of cruisers and musicians on board is, to me. I’m 30 years previous, however I come on this cruise and nonetheless really feel like a child, hanging out with all of my “aunts and uncles”.
The McCrary Sisters have been subsequent on my checklist and I knew I needed to watch a minimum of one of their units. As I make my means as much as the Lido Deck I can begin to make out a churning groove after which the phrases “Wade In The Water”. The Pool Deck is on the mercy of the three McCrarys and their band with a refrain of visitor vocals that embody Etta Britt, Bonnie Bishop, and Danny Flowers (songwriter who penned “Tulsa Time”). Their band was made up of Derek Phillips on drums, Bob Britt on guitar, and Aaron Hatmaker (Mingo Fishtrap) on bass. Regina McCrary will get that tambourine going with a depraved dance and you may’t assist however get glad and transfer!
My final cease for the night time was right down to the Theater to catch some of Glen Clark’s set. Glen has been a buddy for a very long time and I’m a giant fan of his music. One other Ft. Value boy on board with a colourful historical past together with being bandmates with and a songwriter for Bonnie Raitt as effectively
because the music composer for the ABC sitcom collection, ‘In response to Jim’. Glen has a factor you hear from Delbert and different Texas musicians of the identical era. There’s a robust mix of R&B/Rock and Roll/Nation and like Delbert, Glen delivers a narrative. It’s no shock they acquired alongside so effectively of their youthful days and located one another once more a number of years in the past for an additional Delbert & Glen launch (Blind, Crippled, & Loopy). There is no such thing as a imbalance in high quality between phrases and music with both of them and with Glen Clark’s new album, he reminds everybody of the significance of track. His new band consists of John Bryant on drums (Delbert McClinton, Ray Charles’ 1975-1977 band), Jim Milan on bass (Anson Funderburgh, Doyle Bramhall II), and on guitar, James Pennebaker from Delbert’s band acquired up sooner or later and joined Glen on a number of numbers.
_____________________________
Day 3
One of at the moment’s highlights was an occasion that I used to be significantly enthusiastic about. I couldn’t miss the Mars Czar. It could appear random that that in between blues/r&b exhibits, you’ll be able to go spend 90 minutes watching a person clarify quantum mechanics theories and the science behind the NASA exploration of Mars. However right here you have got Scott Hubbard, a professor at Stanford College. The Mars Pathfinder mission was his concept and he’s at the moment a advisor for Elon Musk’s SpaceX program. His presentation is fascinating, to say the least. Maybe he would discover a lecture on Texas shuffles to be equally fascinating?
I used to be feeling a bit drained after the lecture and thought it greatest to take a nap and recharge. I placed on one of the numerous on-demand motion pictures which can be on the tvs in each cabin and handed out. I really feel like together with this tidbit solely as a result of I wish to stress how this week holds a special expertise for everybody. Perhaps you don’t take any naps and also you don’t watch one film in your room…perhaps you watch each artist on board a minimum of as soon as, or perhaps you solely have Three or Four artists that you simply wish to see and the remaining of the time you spend having fun with the ocean view out of your balcony and deal with this week extra like a trip…maybe a number of visits to the spa? The purpose is, you are able to do no matter you need and that’s okay! Publish noon siesta introduced me to time for supper, which occurs greater than as soon as an evening. Keep in mind…no matter you need! There are a number of dinner choices and I are likely to eat within the eating room on the again of the ship on decks 2 and three. I’ve been consuming vegan for nearly 10 years and essentially the most vegan/vegetarian choices will be discovered within the eating room. Remember that if you wish to eat a completely vegan/vegetarian meal and have loads of choices, you’re requested to pre-order your dinner the night time earlier than, in order that the kitchen can plan forward of time.
Seth James sounded nice on the B.B. King stage. One other, Ft. Value musician…go determine! I had by no means seen Seth solo, however was conversant in him being in Cody Canada and the Departed and I knew he and my dad have been mates. Seth had a very cool vocal supply with some tasty guitar taking part in. I got here within the room when Lee Roy Parnell acquired as much as sit in on his set. Seth’s core band is Lewis Stephens on keys, Clint Simmons on drums, and Nick Jay on bass. I’ve identified Nick for a number of years, as he performed on a observe or 2 on my band’s 2013 album, Sunday Morning Document, and
he did some touring with us after we have been in between bass gamers. Now, then again, I’ve identified Lewis for years. Lewis can also be from Ft. Value and I grew up seeing him play with my dad and I’ve performed music with him since I used to be 9 years previous. Lewis spent years on the highway with Freddie King after which with Delbert together with my dad.
We had a present tonight that was purported to be out on the pool deck, however the climate was nasty sufficient for each exterior present to be moved indoors. There have been a number of moments when the boat acquired shifting fairly good, I wasn’t positive what I’d do to maintain from sliding off the drum throne! The package was shifting a technique and I used to be shifting the opposite. No worries, although; all of us made it by means of with no incident. As our set ended, I noticed Tony Braunagel sitting aspect stage and it seems he was taking part in subsequent with Portland primarily based blues singer, Curtis Salgado. I ran my gear to the room and got here again to catch some of Curtis’ set. It was a very vibey trio set with Curtis, Tony, and Alan Hagar on guitar. No bass guitar on stage. Unconventional for some settings, however not essentially for blues and people music. One of my favourite Josh White albums is simply Josh singing and taking part in guitar with a drummer. Some of these previous Jimmy Reed cuts didn’t have a bass participant, however a second guitarist who would mimic the sound and contours of a bass guitar. That is the 2nd yr of Curtis having his personal exhibits on the boat and I sit up for seeing extra of him.
Strolling across the boat within the late hours, I got here throughout a fairly cool jam on the Lincoln Heart Stage that consisted of Chip Vayenas on drums (Mingo Fishtrap), Harmoni Kelly on bass (Bonnie Bishop), Will McFarlane on guitar (Jimmy Corridor), Dane Farnsworth on piano (Mingo Fishtrap/Marc Broussard) and three saxophone gamers; Paulie Cerra (Teresa James), Max Abrams (The Mavericks), and Dan Bechdolt (Mingo Fishtrap)! They have been taking part in a Stevie Surprise tune and the room was stuffed with cruisers and musicians.
Simply up the steps from the Lincoln Heart Stage is the Ocean Bar and I lastly stayed up late sufficient to catch Pink Younger’s 1am set. Tonight, it’s Pink on piano, Brannen Temple on snare with brushes and hello hats (Lee Roy Parnell), Ed Friendland on upright bass (The Mavericks), and sitting in have been completely different horn gamers and visitor vocalists, together with Teresa James, Shelly King, and plenty of of the opposite headliners. The bar was completely full of everybody having fun with the proper night time cap. Everybody is aware of that should you stick round Pink’s units, you’re in for an actual deal with: previous requirements, instrumental jazz, and the good American songbook. As soon as once more, Pink will get these gamers collectively and introduces them to the cruisers in a very completely different musical setting than what everybody’s used to seeing them do.
_____________________________
Day 4
We docked in San Juan early at the moment, although Lucy and I slept in till about midday. We wanted it after Pink’s set, final night time! We have been up there till about 3am and other people have been nonetheless hanging after we left. Since we’re within the U.S. everybody now has their telephones again out, after not having them for a number of days, which is usually a very good factor. I used to be in a position to textual content individuals to make plans for going to
shore, as an alternative of hoping I’d run into them whereas strolling across the boat. We made the trek right down to the gangway and enormously welcomed the secure and grounding concrete. The final couple of days have been a bit rocky with sturdy winds and large waves, so we have been more than pleased to have a port day!
First cease was catching up with my bandmates from the Heathens, Gordy Quist and Trevor Nealon at a implausible native espresso store that we’ve been to earlier than, Cafe Cuatro Sombras. An americano and a neighborhood specialty pastry appeared about the correct name, whereas we waited for extra to hitch us for lunch. We reserved a rooftop desk at Punto de Vista and had about 40 minutes to kill, so we walked round previous city San Juan. Having been right here a pair of occasions earlier than, we skipped the extremely advisable tour of the San Juan fort and determined to see the Castillo Cristobal, the north shore of San Juan, and the attractive waters of the Atlantic. On the stroll, in between native outlets and eating places, we noticed loads of cruisers and Delbert McClinton shirts strolling previous us with smiles and “Hey y’all”s. The lunch at Punto de Vista was implausible, full with purchase one, get one free Mojitos, the native favourite dish: mofongo, and an exquisite rooftop view of town of San Juan.
Again on the boat, I caught Doyle and Debbie’s second present on board, and it was implausible! It’s a rustic satire with musical accompaniment and is a welcome change of tempo, while you’re in any other case listening to music all day, for per week. Their present is a staple of the Nashville scene with a residency on the Station Inn they’ve been doing for years.
A few occasions in the course of the week, on the stage referred to as B.B. King’s, is a songwriters present. A handful of songwriters are invited on the boat to take part on this distinctive (and in a means, behind closed doorways) kind of perception into the world of music. You could not acknowledge their names or faces, however you’ll absolutely know the songs. The expertise that graces this stage could be very sturdy. Tonight’s lineup was Invoice Kirchen, Sharon Vaughn, Al Anderson, and Shawn Camp. Each night time it’s a completely different line up of writers. Additionally on board this yr are Gary Nicholson and Bob Dipiero, amongst others, and up to now it has additionally included the likes of Donnie Fritts and Spooner Oldham. Every present, 4-5 writers sit subsequent to one another on stage and take turns sharing their songs and the tales behind them. Sharon Vaughn carried out a phenomenal rendition of a track she wrote, “My Heroes Have At all times Been Cowboys” that was made well-known by Waylon Jennings. This intimate model had her singing with Al Anderson accompanying her on the acoustic guitar. One of the opposite explicit notable moments was Shawn Camp telling a narrative of how he performed a track for Willie Nelson about 5 years in the past and solely not too long ago heard again from Willie’s camp about Willie eager to lastly reduce the track and the way it will likely be popping out very quickly. What a cool sneak peek for any die laborious Willie fan, getting to listen to a preview of what’s to return!
_____________________________
Day 5
Nicely, it was an early morning for all musicians and the cruisers in odd-numbered cabins that wish to get any merchandise signed by an artist…Day 1 of the 10am Crow’s Nest autograph
session! Fortunately the Crow’s Nest has the most effective espresso on the boat! Espresso machine for the win! Any espresso at 10am for the win! All of the artists on board are sitting behind tables all through the Crow’s Nest, geared up with sharpies (some with the sun shades and ice chilly water combo) and able to signal CDs, shirts, and no matter else for the cruisers!
I left the autograph session to go right down to the theater for the Drumarama, hosted by Tony Braunagel, a Grammy-winning producer and drummer, and long-time buddy of Delbert’s. Tony someway wrangled the drummers on the boat to get collectively and speak about the whole lot from taking part in types, to inspiration, motivation, method, and goal. There have been a pair of drum kits arrange and with the assistance of Pink Younger and some different instrumentalists, the present additionally included an illustration of completely different taking part in types with nearly each drummer on the boat getting up behind a package sooner or later. Sadly I had cut up early as a result of my band was scheduled to sit down in at a present that was occurring on the pool deck.
Etta Britt organized a tribute to “our fearless chief” Delbert McClinton and she or he enlisted the assistance of completely different artists on the boat to every stand up on stage and carry out a Delbert track. We acquired up and performed “Livin It Down” from Delbert’s 2001 album, Nothing Private. “My ship got here in and she or he sunk it, I used to be the toast of the city and she or he drunk it…” That’s the way you begin a track! We pulled up Teresa James throughout our set, for her to sing the final verse. It was fantastic to see everybody stand up and present their love for the person who introduced us right here, all collectively, within the first place.
As I walked again by means of the Lido Deck restaurant to get again to my room, I noticed a desk full of drummers. Who’s acquired the joke? I joined the group and it was about an hour of sharing tales earlier than I needed to cut up. This time it’s to not catch a present, however to lend a serving to hand to a fellow drummer. Clint Simmons (Seth James) and I have been chatting the night time earlier than at Pink’s late night time set and he talked about the supplied Hello-Hat cymbals onstage their taking part in at weren’t sitting effectively with him. I instructed him that I introduced my very own and he was welcome to make use of them, as a result of on a ship full of singers and guitar gamers, drummers have to stay collectively!
Marc Broussard was on the pool deck tonight and I acknowledged nearly half of his band because the Mingo boys; Roger Blevins was up on guitar, Dane Farnsworth was on keys, after which there was Marc’s rhythm part, Chad Gilmore on drums and Jay White on bass. Marc is one of the newer acts to the cruise and he’s rapidly turn into one of the favorites. That down dwelling bayou soul goes over effectively, with this crowd.
Searching for my spouse and an evening cap, I discovered her within the on line casino along with her household. They have been taking part in the quarter machine that no person ever wins. Since I lastly made it to the on line casino I believed to strive my hand at some correct playing. Not having any kind of inclination to this conduct, I can rely on one hand the quantity of occasions I’ve truly gambled. I attempted and solely misplaced $2, which I take into account a win, anyhow.
_____________________________
Day 6
The 2nd and final day of the morning autograph periods had me awake and within the Crow’s Nest by 10am. The band and I needed to go away early to go arrange and sound verify for our 12pm pool deck present. There was a bit bit of morning rain, however the sky cleared up fairly rapidly and we have been good to go for our first out of doors set of the week. We had an amazing set with an amazing crowd and the solar was out with a a lot welcomed breeze.
After our set, was Seth Walker. Seth has been approaching Delbert’s cruise so long as I’ve and it has been an actual deal with to observe him all of these years. He has had completely different bands and I imagine this to be his greatest but. The bass participant and keyboardist had been with him earlier than, however the drummer was new and man he was good for Seth. He performed excellent between tight and free and really dynamic, like Seth’s songs. The opposite night time we caught a bit of Seth within the Theater and he performed a canopy I haven’t heard anybody else do; Bobby Charles’ “I Should Be In A Good Place Now”. It was simply Seth and his guitar, and man, was it proper. It was a very nice selection for that room.
I took a bit break and ran as much as the Crow’s Nest to have an espresso and contact up on my journaling for the week, up to now. Pink Younger and Brannen Temple confirmed as much as begin organising for Pink’s 5pm set and Brannen and I began speaking. I’ve identified Brannen for about 12 or 13 years however that is about the one time I see him, now that I don’t stay in Austin anymore. We largely talked in regards to the music on board, particularly the drummers, and the way cool it was to have somebody like Mike Clark on board and to have the ability to see him play and listen to his tales.
I ran out to the pool deck to catch some of Teresa James’ set, earlier than having to go to my room to prepare for dinner on the Pinnacle Grill restaurant. The Heathens have been invited to a dinner with a pair of cruisers and Raul Malo. I introduced my spouse alongside and it was an exquisite meal with wine, champagne, and plenty of laughs. The dialogue matters included Black Oak Arkansas, touring in Spain, and that Bennigan’s in Texarkana…should you’re a touring musician, you already know the one. Raul is one other person who I’ve identified for some time. Once I began approaching the cruise, he was on board as a solo act and didn’t begin coming with The Mavericks till a pair of years later.
The Mavericks are taking part in tonight and I do know it will likely be a late one and I cannot really feel like writing later, so I’ll verify again in, tomorrow.
_____________________________
Day 7
Final night time was a late one. The Mavericks performed an unbelievable set to a packed deck of cruisers and musicians. Though they’ve already performed a pair of units, this was the primary one which was exterior at night time and that’s when The Mavericks really shine. It’s all the time a spotlight of the week, for me. A large group of us have been standing within the again, by the sound sales space, with some of the Shinyribs and Mingo band. After their set, we went right down to the on line casino and rotated between a
couple of bars within the space for a very good quantity of time. We could have gone as much as eat a few times within the lido deck restaurant…It was additionally the final night time of Pink Younger’s 1am set, so there was a very good hold occurring on the Ocean Bar.
I didn’t get again to my room till 5am which is why I didn’t stand up and off the boat early for our 2nd and final port cease, Half Moon Cay. It is a cruise ship owned island, so it lends itself to the sensation of an amusement park greater than an untouched island within the Bahamas, however it nonetheless has that picture-perfect blue water and white sand so far as you’ll be able to see. It was 10am and though the very last thing I needed to do was get out of mattress, the urge to get off the boat and leap within the water drove me upright. Lucy and I acquired off with the Heathens’ keyboardist, Trevor. There was no ramp to a dock, as a result of the boat was anchored off shore. On occasion there are tender boats that board cruisers and take them to shore. Because the tender we have been on was filling up, I noticed some of the Mingo Fishtrap guys, Delbert’s band, and the Mcrary Sisters strolling on with their swimsuits and shades, you already know, the everyday beachwear. Which all is sensible besides the wind began to choose up and the clouds began to roll in and what ought to observe however a pleasant little Caribbean rain storm?? The 15-20 min trip to shore was a chilly and moist one. Individuals have been wrapping their towels round themselves and shivering. Sun shades have been coming off and it felt like we’d as effectively be crossing the Baltic Sea, headed for Denmark. By the point we acquired to shore, the solar broke by means of and the rain was gone! We have been prepared for sunscreen and a bit seaside time!
We discovered a bit spot on the seaside and grabbed a number of chairs with some of the Shinyribs band and children of some of Delbert’s band. We have been there for a pair of hours and headed again in time to make one of the final couple of tenders earlier than the ship’s departure.
The primary present on our schedule was Mingo Fishtrap within the theatre. I’ve been watching this band for 15 years, since I used to be in highschool and would catch them at Ridglea Theater in Ft. Value. Their lineup has modified and their sound together with it, however they’ve solely gotten higher and they’re some of the best and funniest guys on the boat. I walked in to catch them kick off their James Brown medley. They undergo a handful of songs from the Godfather of Soul and man, are they tight. Roger Blevins is chanting “Soul” and the band is nailing hits and everybody within the crowd is into it.
After Mingo, Lucy and I headed to our room to pack. We had simply sufficient time earlier than dinner and Marcia Ball’s set to a minimum of start to get our stuff collectively. We had a bit extra to pack, this yr, than regular. I believed to spruce up our room with some string lights and a few hangable cloth for the partitions. We by no means spend quite a bit of time in our room, however we’ll normally have individuals over for drinks and a bit hold and the added decor was a pleasant contact. I walked a pair of flooring right down to the Theater and as I acquired nearer, I heard a robust second line groove coming from the drums, then the horns and the hovering voice of the ‘Lengthy, Tall, Marcia Ball”. It was a Mardi Gras social gathering in there! The band began breaking off with participant after participant stopping taking part in till it was simply Marcia and her piano stride. Unbreaking from this, she was shouting over the mic all of the whereas and I could as effectively have been in New Orleans. She positive could make you suppose a parade
is marching by means of! On the opposite aspect of issues, the one time I’ve teared up on this cruise is after I’ve heard Marcia fold right into a dirge on the piano and begin to sing “Louisiana 1927”. Up on stage with Marcia was Pink Younger on B3 organ, her very long time band of Don Bennett on bass, Mike Schermer on guitar, Eric Bernhardt on sax, and newcomer Mo Schohorn on drums.
It was solely becoming that the grand finale of an unbelievable week on this boat is Delbert! Up to now, this present goes one of two methods; Delbert will both play a number of songs after which begin to get all of the opposite artists and bands as much as every do a track, or if he’s feeling it, he’ll play a whole set. Brief of a number of friends, Delbert ended up doing the entire set along with his band. He began out the present by having one of his oldest bandmates, Bruce Channel, stand up for a pair of tunes. Delbert performed harmonica on the 1962 primary hit by Bruce, “Hey, Child!”. This track even took the pair to Europe, for a tour the place at one present, the opener was The Beatles! Bruce has been approaching the boat for years and by the tip of the track, he’s acquired everybody singing A Capella “Hey, Child!”. Backstage, there have been quite a bit of musicians hanging and saying their goodbyes whereas some have been watching the present from aspect stage. All of the whereas, Delbert was up there, going by means of the catalog of songs everyone knows so effectively. It was a bittersweet present, however everybody is aware of the place we shall be in a yr. For this one week, all of us get to place the day-to-day on maintain and are available collectively over one unifying issue; the love for music. And Delbert. It all the time comes again to Del. At this level, I do know a fairly good majority of the individuals approaching this cruise. If I haven’t met somebody, all I learn about them is that they took time away from dwelling and put some of their hard-earned cash towards being right here and that claims sufficient for me to know we will get alongside. I’m not attempting to promote this cruise to you, but when anybody is a glowing poster boy for Sandy Seashores Cruise, it’s me.