“I’ve got a smile on my face, I’ve got four walls around me,
The sun in the sky, the water surrounds me.”

Thus begins Great Big Sea’s “Ordinary Day,” a song that I’ve been singing non-stop since I first heard it last year on Ships N’ Dip III.  What’s ironic is that the next time I hear this song, I’ll most likely be having a day that’s as far from ordinary as possible.  I mean, when you’re hanging out with Barenaked Ladies, you never know what’s gonna happen on the cruise-AH, right?  Well, ordinary or extraordinary, I can’t wait for that day.  Let me explain why:

I started working for Sixthman in December of 2007, and before I knew it I was whisked away to Miami on a bunch of cruises before I could even blink an eye.  I discovered all kinds of new music that I never would have been exposed to otherwise.  Now believe it or not, bands from New Foundland who write about fishing and drinking don’t exactly light up the radio stations in San Diego where I lived prior to working for Sixthman.

During my first or second night on Ships and Dip III, I was an usher for Great Big Sea’s show in the main lounge.  I had no idea what to expect.  Within two minutes the entire crowd was jumping up and down and singing along to a song about riding on a donkey.  How can you not love a band that sings songs about donkeys!  Of course, I have included Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers in this elite group for their lyrical adventures involving an Italian Christmas donkey.

Anyways, I spent the next hour and a half captivated by Alan and the boys and I simply couldn’t get enough.  I made sure I was “working” every one of their shows for the rest of the cruise.  Because I grew up on Cape Cod in a relatively small fishing town, the music immediately resonated with me.  My great grandfather was from New Foundland too!  It’s truly a travesty I hadn’t heard of them sooner.  Since last year’s cruise, I’ve spent an entire year listening to their music and looking forward to the next time I get to see them live.  Next week can’t come soon enough.

Speaking of last year, it was also my first adventure with the guys and gal from another band I had previously known NOTHING about, Gaelic Storm.  What more can you say about Patrick, Twigger, Pete, Ryan, and Jessie?  A great band, an absolutely amazing live act, and five of the funniest, nicest people you will ever meet.  Since last year’s Ships N’ Dip, I’ve been lucky enough to catch them on Cayamo, here in Atlanta, and on the Rock Boat IX – I couldn’t be more excited to have them on Ships N’ Dip V as well.  They bring so much energy and excitement to the boat that you can literally feel the electricity in the crowd before they take the stage.  Besides, it’s been at least five days since I’ve got to dance and yell “Hey!” during “What’s the Rumpus.”  I need my fix!

Okay, so I’ve written hundreds of words about Ships N’ Dip and my excitement, and yet not one word has been mentioned about the incredible Barenaked Ladies…and freaking GRAMMY AWARD WINNING artist Sarah McLachlan.  That reason being OF COURSE I’m excited out of my mind for these two.  I fully except to have be blown away by something unexpected during a BNL set, and I fully expect to weep like a baby during Sarah’s set because her songs are so beautiful.  This boat is going to be six days of action-packed, laugh-filled (thanks Kids in the Hall!), musical elation.

Get ready Ships and Dippers – Great Big Sea will have you singing at the top of your lungs, Gaelic Storm will have you dancing til your legs fall off, Sarah McLachlan will send chills down your spine, and the guys from Barenaked Ladies are going to rock your world.

I’m just glad I can come along for the ride.

-Steve