Riding on an elevator with a musical icon is not your average Monday evening… Unless you are on Cayamo, in which case it is perfectly normal.

To turn musical fantasy into an everyday reality is the epitome of Cayamo. Weather you are a music neophyte like me, or the most seasoned aficionado, every second of this cruise holds the promise of some magical moment where you will rub elbows with your hero’s, witness a collaboration that defies your wildest imagination or get turned on to someone who will transform your universe with a single song.

You would think that after three years of Sixthmaning this event some of the sparkle would wear off and the extraordinary would become mundane, but for me this could not be less true. Each year there is an experience that tops the one before and leaves a lasting impression. While it is only day two, I could happily walk away and say that I have been touched with the Magic of Cayamo.

For the first time on any event I was lucky enough to make a suggestion for an artist that I thought would be a perfect fit for this cruise.  Last year, still reeling and fresh from the boat, I went to a show in Atlanta to see a musician that was dear to a very good friend of mine. We got there just in time to see the opening artist, which can often mean little more than buying you enough time to sidle up to the bar for your next beer. In this case however the artist that took to the stage had me hooked from the first note. All I could think about was “how can I get her on Cayamo next year? The artist that took me by such force was an adorable little thing named Samantha Crain. Looking hardly old enough to be in the bar, it was mesmerizing to watch her sing with such a seasoned and awe inspiring voice.

After the show I went into the office on a mission. She would be on Cayamo, and I was just not taking no for an answer. As it turns out, my job was easy and her music spoke for itself. Within the month, she was booked and I could not have been more excited.

Now I am here, sailing on Cayamo with more amazing artists than can even be real and for the first time, I feel like I have contributed just a little piece of something magical myself.

Cayamo will always be a place of discovery but the beauty is, it doesn’t end when we pull back into port. Once you are infected with the spirit, it’s with you forever. I am excited for these next few days and all of the things I will encounter, but I am also looking forward to all of the moments after when I discover something new- about myself, about the music.

I can’t wait to get Cayamo’d again!

-May