As many of you know, we invited eight Rock Boat artists to join us in Augusta a few days ago for two and a half days of songwriting.  Last year’s inaugural session turned out to be an monumental success, exceeding every one of our expectations, so you can understand our hesitation to do such an event again: how does one improve upon near-perfection?  However, as I sit here listening to the TWELVE songs that these artists recorded in just under 48 hours, I can say with complete confidence that lightning can indeed strike twice if you can get the right people in the right place.

Drew from Sister Hazel, Scott from Dexter Freebish, Josh from Oval Opus, Scott from Wideawake, Brian from Pat McGee Band, Boots from Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Tyrone Wells, and Evan McHugh joined us at the Bluffs Plantation from Sunday night until Monday morning.  Admittedly, we were slightly concerned because these artists didn’t know each other very well prior to coming to Augusta; comparatively, last year’s event was pretty much a reunion of old friends.

I don’t know why we get ourselves so worked up over these things, because this ‘concern’ turned out to actually fuel the fires of creation, allowing these artists to truly blossom and craft more than a few masterpieces.  Beginning with Evan and Drew’s song “Out of My Hands,” a heart-wrenching ballad that could easily be heard on the radio tomorrow, continuing all the way through to Evan, Scott L., and Scott R.’s arena-ready rock anthem, “Nothing About You Now” (finished at 3:30AM on the last night), this group truly created something special: twelve songs, each with unique stories, fantastic riffs, and soaring harmonies.

I have never felt more musically inspired or intimidated in my life.  To watch these guys split up into groups and within three hours have three songs written and recorded absolutely blows my mind.  Then, as soon as one song was done, they’d switch groups and do it all over again!  As a joke, Kappy, Mike and myself thought it would be funny to write a song and record it ourselves.  After four hours, all we had was a poem about dogs and an island and a guitar riff that sounded WAY too much like “Wagon Wheel.”   It turns out that other than a passion for songwriting, you also need guitar skills and talent.  Oh well, maybe one day our song, “Just send me my dogs” will get sold to Kenny Chesney/Jimmy Buffett and we can all retire to the Caribbean.

Back to the real talent: at the end of the last night, all eight artists (even Drew stayed awake!) sat around listening to the two days of work, each tapping their feet to the beat and offering up words of admiration and support for each other.  A few beers were had, a few hours of bags (corn-toss, cornhole, whatever you want to call it) were played, and at 3:30AM it was time for the Boots and Evan Comedy Hour!  Unfortunately, I went to bed at 3 so I missed the show, but I was later told by Kappy (who videoed the whole thing) that it was so funny he had tears streaming down his face from laughing so much.  This is just another reason why I never sleep on our cruises.  Who knows what I’m missing…

Eight strangers and a blank canvas entered the house on Sunday night.  On Wednesday morning, eight friends and twelve complete songs left.  Riding back in a van with a few of the guys listening to the demos on repeat, I couldn’t help but smile in amazement at what I had just witnessed.  I think we’re onto something here people!  We can’t wait to share these songs with you, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of these songs ended up on albums in the near future.

I can’t wait for the next Sixthman Sessions, and I can’t wait for The Rock Boat X – I’m interested to see how these two days of writing will impact five days of collaboration on the ship.  I already know one of these songs will certainly become the anthem of the cruise and will have everybody singing the chorus in their sleep.

-Steve