When my good friend Tony from Stanwood Washington first mentioned a Caribbean cruise with Shawn Mullins, Brandi Carlile, and so many other great artists, I was so envious. I was struggling with just how I was going to get on that ship. After many convincing forum responses and huge help from Tony and so many of my other friends I was off to Miami.

They named it Cayamo “A Journey Through Song”. Just how the Sixthman crew got such an amazing cross section of well known Singer/Songwriters together can only be attributed to their teamwork, longevity, and unwavering sense of customer service that must come from a true passion for music. Every moment I had of personal contact with any of the Sixthman people was met with an honest interest in my opinion and satisfaction with the trip. I hate to name names because I am sure for every one person I met there were 10 more working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly, but I have to mention Andy specifically. Not only because he personally made sure I was taken care of, but I could see that he truly has an honest concern for everyone he works with. I saw him running around constantly and finding time to stop and say hi and shake a hand.

Personal contact was the underlying payoff of this week of unbelievable performances. I am sure I am not the only one that was met by handshakes and cell phone pictures with the likes of Edwin McCain, John Hyatt, Shawn Mullins, Brandi Carlile, and others. More than that, these “heroes” as so many people had described, were honestly interested in striking up conversation. They could have easily been cordial and walked away after a quick hello and we would have been happy with that, but they were engaging in questions of personal interest.

My personal example: I had performed at an open mic the night before I approached the casino bar to buy a bottle of water when I heard someone say “nice song last night” I turned to the right and who was it? Non-other than Shawn Mullins. We talked for 10 minutes about performing at the Attic and other venues in Georgia before he had to run off to a rehearsal. Get the picture? This trip was so much more then great performances by our idols.

I have to admit, at risk of being bashed by Buddy and Brandi fans, that I had never heard their music before this trip, and that is exactly why I believe this trip was so successful both for Sixthman and the artists. Most of the music cruises cater to one or two bands and their loyal fans, but having so many artists on the ship gives the fan (like me) the chance to broaden their horizons (no pun intended). Now Buddy and Brandi have a new loyal fan. As I talked to other cruisers, this was a general theme. In fact there were many many great talents that I heard for the first time. So this builds a whole new fan base for the artists.

One thing I didn’t anticipate was the amount of acoustic players that I met and jammed with on deck. A few players would start playing and within minutes we would have 5 guitars, a Madelyn, bass, harmonica, you name it, and 25 people singing along in full harmony. It felt like the root of what the cruise was all about; getting together with likeminded people and connecting on a level that only music lovers can appreciate.

My mantra for this cruise was “sensory overload”. I was so thankful to squeeze a year’s worth of concerts into one short week. As a performer myself, this trip gave me the ability to both perform for people I had never met and also squeeze in more shows then I could ever have in year’s time. I mean where else could you see Lyle Lovett on a Monday, Brandi Carlile on a Tuesday, John Hiatt on a Wednesday, Patty Griffin on Thursday, Shawn Colvin on Friday, Emmylou Harris on Saturday, and still have time to see 20 other shows by the greatest songwriters, during the day, while sitting by the pool!?!

As every other person I have talked to on the trip, we will all be back next year!

Thank you Sixthman!

I wish I still had the e-mail notice Shawn Colvin sent out about Cayamo. I skimmed it, clicked the link, spent nearly 60 seconds reading the fabulous artist list, made a quick call, then booked a cabin as fast as I could. I then spent the many months anticipating and collecting music of the scheduled artists, some of whom were wonderful new discoveries. I agree with Tim’s observation about Sixthman putting this cruise together, and cannot express my gratitude for what Sixthman has accomplished. I have spent years flying to fabulous venues across the country to catch concerts of this caliber. Though I’d seen all but one of the headliners locally, I’m just greedy, and could never get enough music in one place…until Cayamo. Though we visited Hell (the town on Grand Cayman), I think I died and went to heaven. Fly to Miami, hop a boat, enjoy a cruise, catch more great concerts in one week than could be possible anywhere else on earth, ever… Not having to fight crowds and weather to stand in mud to watch one or two sets at a festival…getting goosebumps as lifelong favorites harmonize together on stage…getting more goosebumps watching the young artists’ live performances and instinctively knowing that they will be the legends of tomorrow.
Being with like minded people (passengers and Sixthman team), enjoying interaction with icons, stopping dead in your tracks as the sound of someone’s performance, sound check or jam session beckons like a siren’s call, plopping down in a seat and asking a neighbor: “Who IS that singing?”,
my hopes for the week were exceeded only by my experience.
You folks at Sixthman need not fear survey results. I could not wait to rave. Lauren mentioned one of the Cayamo gems in her blog–Brandi Carlile improv sets on Promenade. I smiled just reading it. For once I was in the right place at the right time! There were so many such moments all week, it was overwhelming. When your chief complaint is that you cannot be in multiple venues at the same time, it just doesn’t get any better…or does it??? Count on me in ’09.

Dear Andy and all the rest of Sixthman…I have to tell you that it was the best vacation Ive been on in my life and my husband and I have traveled our entire married life.
I was a nervous wreck wondering how in the world connections were going to be made, something had to go wrong. The moment I stepped out of our van heading to the ship, put my mind at ease. People were waiting to take our bags, people along the way guiding us in the right direction. The moment I stepped into Port Miami I didnt ask another stressful question to my husband. He was pleased!!;o) How in the world could all those people debark the ship without chaos..Smooth as buttah!!!I want to say I will not ever hesitate to take another cruise again. The entertainment was nothing I had ever imagined or dreamt of. I will dream of it now!! You guys were alllll fantastic and very very accommodating. Two thumbs up to Sixthmen!!! Im the one that told everyone I saw wearing a sixthmen name tag, that i was going to miss their emails. I was informed that Id be getting them, so keep them coming..Keep me updated!!
Sincerely
Marcia (and Howard) Dunn

The Sixthman folks have given a vacation to my husband & I as well as our friends that will be forever stamped in my mind. I have to tell you that my first week back to work I found myself looking at the clock wondering what my drink of the day was going to be and what show I was going to see first. We are anxiously awaiting the 2009 trip.
On the way home we sat in an area of the Miami airport with some of the Sixthman staff that proceeded to lay on the floor and rest. These folks gave so much to all of us. Thank you, Thank you, for memories that bring tears to my eyes! John Hiatt signed my CD as well as graciously tooks pictures with us. Priceless……….

Hey – whats up. Thanks a bunch for the info. I’ve been digging around looking some info up for shool, but i think i’m getting lost!. Yahoo lead me here – good for you i guess! Keep up the good work. I will be coming back over here in a few days to see if there is updated posts.