Did you ever think you’d learn a life lesson from a roadie?

Today is your lucky day.

Roadies set the stage in music and we set the stage in our lives with our families, our friends and our work.

Bands have a certain stage set up that allows them to do their best work and connect with the other band members. The bands crew spends hours setting up before each performance and with everything laid out precisely. The amplifiers are pointed in a certain direction, the bass player is positioned so he can see the drummer through a gap between the cymbals, and the lead guitarist is positioned to stay in balance with the rhythm guitar and singer. If the distance between them is too far, they will struggle to stay in sync. Too close together, and they will invade each other’s personal stage space and run the risk of looking like a little band on a big stage.

Next time you go to a show, look at the way the stage is set up and the relationship between each band member.

In our daily lives, we set our own stages:

• When we clearly communicate expectations to the people we work with, WE set the stage for empowerment and growth instead of chaos.
• When we turn off the laptop at night and focus on the ones close to us, WE set the stage for strong connections to occur instead of tension to build.
• When we take responsibility for our mistakes, WE set the stage for people to feel better about not being perfect instead of expending tons of energy putting on a face of perfection.
• When we identify & search out our most productive environments, WE set the stage to make an impact instead of fighting through interruptions.
• When we reach out to a friend to see how they are doing, WE set the stage for them to open up and share instead of dealing with their challenges alone.

Good luck setting great stages today.

-Andy

photo source

Tomorrow, we had out to sea for our final cruise of the early 2010 season: The Malt Shop Memories Cruise!

This cruise is going to be a slight departure from our last cruise (Kid Rock’s “Chillin’ the Most” Cruise), but there are actually more similarities than you’d imagine.  Both groups have a strong affinity for their particular brand of music, both groups are excited to spend four days on a ship with their musical idols, and both groups are ready to let loose and have one heck of a vacation with 2,000 strangers who will quickly become friends.  Kid Rock’s Cruise was one of the best cruises we’ve ever produced as a company, and we’re fully expecting to build on that momentum this weekend too.

I’m particularly excited for this cruise, as it will serve as a quasi family reunion for me! My folks have been on the past two Cayamo cruises; my “early to bed” dad would always take a nap from 8PM to midnight and then meet me at midnight in the casino after our staff meeting had ended.  About two months ago, my father woke up in the middle of the night and lamented, saying “aw man, if we were on a Sixthman Cruise…I could go meet Steve in the casino right now.”

The next day, my mom called and asked if there were any other events coming up that they could come on;  after about half a second into my explanation of the Malt Shop Cruise, they were ALL OVER IT.  A week later they called and said that my brother and sister wanted to go too, and who was I to tell them no?

So, the Malt Shop Memories Cruise will be the first “family vacation” the whole Kamb family has taken in years.

Although I’ll be working all day, I am really looking forward to hanging out with the whole fam from midnight to 2 am every night in the casino.  I can’t wait to hear “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters, because I’ve been listening to that song since I was a little kid growing up on Cape Cod.  I’m excited to watch 2,000 people go back in time to the 50′s and 60′s.

Most of all, I looking forward to seeing a LOT of smiles.

Stay tuned RIGHT HERE for more updates while we’re sailing.

Here we go!

-Steve

Last night I had the biggest argument I’ve ever had with a coworker. It was dramatic, loud, and very public. It was also one of the funniest moments for me so far on the cruise.

Tonight is 80’s night on VH1 Best Cruise Ever. In preparation for that, we were discussing our plans for dressing up (have you seen our awesome SIXTHMAN SAY RELAX t-shirts? Picture coming soon!)… then we got into memories of the eighties and our favorite movies. Jodi was the first to mention the Goonies, and Sonia proudly proclaimed the fact that she had seen Goonies more than any of us.

We all chimed in with the best lines and our favorite scenes: “That’s what I said – boody trap!” and “Hey you guuuuuys!” I believe Will even demonstrated the Truffle Shuffle. I made the mistake of conjuring the octopus scene, which I mistakenly believed was in the original movie and had been deleted for the TV versions. Sonia corrected me that it was actually NOT in the original version, and had been ADDED to the TV versions. After much debate, I conceded. Today I looked it up on YouTube, and she was right.

Goonies Octopus Scene

If you haven’t seen this scene yet, check it out. It really makes Goonies better in my humble opinion.

Sonia, Mike, Jodi, Will, May and I were able to laugh about our debate, and I realized that was the biggest argument I’d ever had with anyone at Sixthman. I’m so lucky to be with such a cool group on this ship and back home in Atlanta, that the most passionate disagreement is about deleted scenes from an eighties movie.

Today on VH1 Best Cruise Ever we are dressed in our SIXTHMAN SAY RELAX t-shirts and 80’s garb for theme night solidarity. I have to say we look radical and pretty authentically 80’s. What was your favorite part of that bodacious era?

-Becki

Due to the unique environments that exist out at sea on Sixthman Cruises, the musicians on board often let their guard down by playing old songs that they haven’t played live in years, trying out new songs that have never been performed before an audience, and covering songs from their favorite musicians.  More often than not, these cover versions sound completely original and often even eclipse the the source material in terms of quality.

Looking back on Cayamo 2010 from this past February, one particular cover stands out above the rest to me.  My apologies to the dozen artists that covered “My Heart Will Go On” (complete with smoke machine), but I’m talking about a different song – Brandi Carlile and Ben Taylor performing Cindi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”  Check it out here:

Brandi Carlile and Ben Taylor – Time After Time

I’ve watched this video probably 20 times in the past week, and it got me thinking about all the great covers that I love way more than the original.  Here are my top three:

“Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” Soft Cell (original) vs. David Gray. Wow. I realize this is exposing my youth and inexperience, but I didn’t realize this was a cover until last year when I googled the song title and kept coming up with Soft Cell, the guys who wrote “Tainted Love.”  Considering this is one of my favorite songs of all time, this discovery surprised the hell out of me.  Although the lyrics are the same, the song takes on a completely different meaning when played solo accoustic.

“Mad World” Tears For Fears (Original) vs. Gary Jules.  This is another song that I heard the cover before I heard the original, which probably skews my perspective, but I almost can’t listen to the Tears for Fears version because of how hauntingly beautiful it’s become thanks to Gary’s transformation.  This is a song that will be forever remembered by my generation as the incredible and incredibly depressing song from the movie, Donnie Darko.

“Hurt” Nine Inch Nails (Original) vs. Johnny Cash.  Trent Reznor wrote one messed up (amazing) song, but Johnny Cash took it to another level. You can feel the emotion bleeding through each word, especially deep when coming from the mouth of one of history’s most talented musicians. Even towards the end of his life, the Man in Black continued to amaze.  As far as I’m concerned, this is a Johnny Cash song now.

I could probably spend all day – and I have – searching for great musicians covering other great musicians. I only put three of my recent favorites but there are probably THOUSANDS out there.  What about you guys?  Do you have a cover song that you love more than the original?

Leave your songs in the comments!

-Steve

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Have you ever heard a song that instantly transports you to another time and place?

Last week, as I drove down the street on my way to work, I put my 10,000 song iPod on shuffle. “Endless Summer” by Zwan came on, and immediately I was brought back to the Summer after my junior year of college. Instead of driving down the highway, I was in the Pump House Surf Shop on Cape Cod, MA talking with the owner Matt about what kind of board to buy for the summer (I ended up buying a 9’1″).

This song came on the surf’s shop radio and I immediately recognized Billy Corgan’s distinct voice.  Now, every time I hear that beginning riff, I can see the surf shop, I can feel the fiberglass on a new longboard, and I can smell the freshly waxed boards, ready to go out on the ocean.  The funny thing is, it’s nowhere close to being one of my favorite songs – there’s just something about the three minutes in which I first heard it that will always stay with me.

Later on in my work day, the shuffle brought me to Third Eye Blind’s “Darkness.”

Once again, I was transported from behind my desk in Atlanta to behind the wheel of my black ’92 GMC Jimmy (this car was so old and beat-up that when it finally needed repairs we just sold it for parts).  It was the summer after my junior year of high school, Third Eye Blind’s Blue Album had recently been released, and I was driving down Route 6 on Cape Cod towards Sandwich Downs to teach a tennis lesson to some family friends.  I can feel the roughed-up and faded padding on my steering wheel and I can TASTE (yeah, how crazy is that) the Snapple Fire drink that I would guzzle on a daily basis. I don’t even think they make this drinks anymore; I still check every grocery store and every convenience store hoping that somebody would have one left. I don’t care if it expired in 1999, I’ll still drink it.

These are the two most vivid memories from songs that I can recall, but there are dozens of others that have a similar effect on me.  Here are three more:

• Guster’s “Homecoming King” puts me at the high school soccer field during the fall of my senior year; the temperature dropping as the sun goes down and Fall gives way to Winter.
• Collective Soul’s “Dandy Life” puts me on a cold school bus driving home from an JV basketball game, snow falling outside and the rest of the team fast asleep.
• Kenny Chesney’s “Anything But Mine” sends me out to San Diego on a lonely Monday afternoon, walking Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, people-watching and wave-scouting, all the while wondering how the hell I’d survive living on the West Coast.

Although everybody else might not have memories as vivid as these (my mind chooses to remember the most minuscule of details for certain songs for whatever reason), I bet you can surely associate a song or two with a moment in your life that goes far beyond just words and music notes.   It doesn’t even have to be a good song – it just needs to somehow trigger something within you that quickly resurrects itself every time you hear it from then on out.

Good or bad song, good or bad memory, I’d love to hear about a song that has this power over you too.

Let’s hear it…and see it…and taste it…and feel it…

-Steve

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photo: ArcticPuppy

Working for a company that highly values music is, for lack of a better description, pretty awesome.  I have been lucky enough to hold jobs over the past four years that have had a primary focus of music.  The difference between Sixthman and my previous employment is the amount of which I get to enjoy the music.  I was previously a music and media editor for a publication.  Sounds cool, is pretty cool, but the endless number of CDs that you are forced to listen to (some good, but mostly awful) is insanity.  It had gotten to the point where I rarely listened to music outside of work.  It was talk radio all the time.

It was almost like Pandora’s box.  I had come into this really cool job.  A gift from the gods.  A box, that once opened, unleashed terrible things on my brain.  Too many awful songs, and almost a resentment towards music, itself.

Some of you may not know the whole myth about Pandora’s box, though.  After all the toils were set loose on the earth, at the bottom of the box, there was hope.  And hope, my friends, it just what Pandora Radio has brought to my daily life.  Whether I’m sitting in my little quiet room, rocking out with computer speakers, or in the “Calloseum” rocking out on my headphones, Pandora has given me new hope for music.  And a new appreciation for classic rock.  And sometimes I don’t even notice when a little Skynyrd gets mixed in there.

So, in summary, music is an amazing part of life.  A job focused on music is pretty awesome.  Getting through all the crap and finding hope for a better music tomorrow, priceless.

-Lisa

Dear SSG Cruising Family,

Four words: MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD.

I had the pleasure of attending the John Mayer Battle Studies tour extravaganza on Saturday evening in beautiful Jacksonville, FL. After seeing and hearing John’s talents in various formats over the years, I was definitely excited to hear his new record come to life on stage Saturday… but 100% couldn’t wait to get a glimpse at Michael Franti and Spearhead’s set. Due to one of my best friend’s Todd’s musical taste, I had been exposed to their music and I had seen this group of amazing musicians once before in Phoenix, AZ opening for The Flaming Lips at a festival- but nothing could prepare me for what was about to go down in the arena on Saturday.

The daunting task of being the opening act is one that can either amp up the crowd and create an awesome atmosphere or set a tone that the headliner probably would never desire. Note to anyone wanting a tour opener that will kill it for you and make your audience want more: Book Michael Franti and Spearhead. Beach balls tossed around in the audience? Check. High energy that is absolutely contagious? Check. Catchy tunes that will continue to carry this band well into the new decade? Triple check.

Best of all, these folks GET IT. Michael jumped out into the crowd of more than 10,000 people multiple times during his set, encouraged people to dance and sing, had every person up on their feet, and my favorite? Brought a large group of fans up on stage during the band’s wildly popular single “Say Hey” to rock out with them. The song ended with two of the most adorable little girls I have ever seen singing the song instead of the band in front of all of these people that just had an hour of the time of their lives. They also put up a video blog everyday from the tour showing you all a behind the scenes look at what’s going on in the world of the band. I can honestly say I have never seen an opener be as loved in the matter of an hour as I did on Saturday. I got to meet Michael after the show and he is stoked to be a part of your upcoming experience in September.

I am so excited for all of you to become part of what Michael Franti and Spearhead have created. Prepare to get on Sailing Southern Ground with your worries checked at the door, a free and open mind, a spirit that is ready to rock a couple wonderful days out on the sea, and to embrace this newest member of the Sixthman artist family. I have a feeling we might have struck gold on this one, friends.

See you soon,
Tiff

The Rock Boat is full of once in a lifetime moments.

These moments are unpredictable and unexplained, can last for a second or for hours, and will stay with you forever.  These are the moments you’ll look back upon next week when you go home and try to explain how great The Rock Boat is to your friends.  It’s these moment you’ll go to when sitting at your desk counting down the days to The Rock Boat 11.  It’s these moments that you’ll dream about for years, and it’s these moments that you’ll tell your grandkids about one day.

I had one of those moments while on The Rock Boat X, so I’d like to try and explain in words how incredible it was while it’s still fresh in my memory.  On the Rock Boat, we’re so used to things going wrong (weather, missed ports, etc.) that nothing surprises us any more.  We lost two whole days of Lido Deck shows due to weather, we had to cancel the beach party we had worked so hard to prepare, and practically every show on the last two days had to be rescheduled for a new time and location.  None of that is new.  What did surprise me was how many things went right on Friday night for Gaelic Storm’s St. Patty’s Day show up on the deck.

Although the weather gods generally frown upon The Rock Boat (it must be jealous), they did give us one single night of reprieve, where it wasn’t too cold, didn’t rain, and the ship was sailing through calm waters.  Because the weather held up, it seemed like all 2000 people on the ship were up on the deck wearing green and chomping at the bit to watch Gaelic Storm make their first official performance on TRBX.  Anticipation for this concert began WAY back in march, when Gaelic Storm swung by the Sixthman office to make a video announcing the theme night and threw their full support behind it.

Fast forward to Friday night, January 8th. The whole Sixthman team took the stage to raise a glass and “cheers” our hosts for that night.  We could have said anything into that microphone and the crowd would have still loved us – that’s how excited they were.  After we left the stage, Gaelic Storm walked out while their intro music played…I’m On A Boat.

Whenever an irish folk band walks onto the stage while a fake rap song is playing, you know you’re in for a treat.

What transpired over the next two hours was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever been a part of.  After everything had seemingly gone wrong in 2009 (the economy tanking, people losing jobs left and right), this show felt like a huge pressure release valve had been opened.  The crowd danced and sang at the top of their lungs, and Gaelic Storm fed off of this energy to give one of their most spirited performances in memory.  To borrow a quote from my favorite movie The Shawshank Redemption:

“I’d like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can’t be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.”

Sure we might not have been trapped in a prison like those guys in Shawshank, but we certainly allowed ourselves to feel free of any sorrows for those two hours.  There was a small contingent of us Sixthman employees standing way at the back of the deck, and after two days of unfortunate weather (plus the announcement that our beach party the next day would have to be canceled), we needed to blow off some steam.  We all began doing some variation of the Irish Jig and danced around in a tight little circle like little kids, laughing and smiling and taking a break from the pressure that comes with coordinating a 2000-person floating music festival.  As others walked by to see what all the commotion was, they saw how much fun we were having and decided to join us.  Within a few minutes, it seemed like half the deck had turned into a human-whirlpool of fancy footwork.  It was awesome.

I will never forget this night, and the way it made me feel.  If you were on the ship and at this show, you know what I’m talking about.  This was my favorite moment from any Sixthman cruise because so many things had to go right for it to happen the way it did.  It was a perfect (Gaelic) storm of weather, crowd interaction, performance, release, happiness, and enjoyment of life.

I want to know your “moment,” from TRB X or from ANY cruise you’ve been on.  When did time stand still for you?  What’s the memory you always go back to when you need a pick-me-up?

-Steve

Oh, and Simple Man Cruisers – I can’t wait for you all to have a “moment” coming up this weekend on SMC 2010!  See you soon.

1. Having every artist onboard in record time – no one flying into ports or chasing the boat as we pull away from Tampa

2. “Happy Birthday Rock Boat” being sung by thousands on the Lido Deck as Sister Hazel kicked off TRBX! And yes, there were confetti cannons.

3. Pajama night was in full swing. I doubt that you could classify the majority of “outfits” as legit PJs but hey, anything goes on The Rock Boat.

4. Watching all of our artists reunite and make new friends at the artist party. It was like the first day of summer camp, with beer.

5. Hearing the chatter and love for the TRBX memory book. Ash, Lauren and Steve made a lot of people cry, the good way.

6. Although not a huge fan of college football, it was very entertaining watching the ‘Bama and Texas fans taunt each other all night. I played squares, and lost. I am now really not a huge fan of college football.

7. I love the Rock Boat because no one wakes up before 12pm. Therefore we get to sleep in. I love the Rock Boat.

8. Watching Green River Ordinance host Bingo, when no one had played the game since 2nd grade. Can I get a X4? X4…anyone?

9. Gaelic Storm redeeming their Flip Cup champion status against The Bridges. It was close; too close considering they’re Irish and the girls had never played before.

10. It’s St. Patty’s day on The Rock Boat. Sixthman is wearing “Kiss Me I’m Sixthman” t-shirts. Either the best or worst idea ever. I’ll decide tonight.

It’s finally hit me.  I’m going on the Rock Boat today.

Two years ago, I went on my first Rock Boat as an employee of Sixthman; just a few months prior to that, I didn’t even know music cruises existed (I was out of the loop, okay?).  In the five days that followed, I listened to more music, watched more concerts, and witnessed more happy people than I had seen in my entire life…I was hooked.  Which is a good thing when you think about it, because this is now my job.  Yes, I realize I’m very lucky.

So…after two years, 10 cruises, and hundreds of hours of preparation, am I any less excited for this particular Rock Boat than any previous adventure?  Is all of that initial wonder gone?

Nope.

Although nothing will match the feelings of discovery I felt on my first Rock Boat (and I’m sure none of you have forgotten your first cruise), it’s still a brand new experience on each and every event, and I can’t freaking WAIT to get on this ship today.  I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve,

I can’t wait to:

• Watch the faces of Rock Boaters as they discover what their guest gifts are this year. This is something our whole company is extremely proud of, and something on which we’ve worked super-hard for months.  Big props to L.C. for her leadership on this.
• Stand on the deck of the ship this afternoon and listen to Sister Hazel play their first ever kick-off party. For the first time in the 10 year history of the company, the band that started it all will be getting the party started themselves.  Love it. 
• Get to hang out with my friends for a few minutes here and there. After I got off my first TRB, I came back to Atlanta and told my friends how amazing it was.  Last year, eleven of them came on the cruise as booked guests, and almost all of them (plus a few of their friends) are coming back this year.  It’s always fun to share something like this with those close to you.  Glad you’re back, guys.
• Sleep way too little and stay up way too late. The Rock Boat is full of spur-the-moment collaborations, once-in-a-lifetime concerts, and more spontaneity than you can imagine.  I’m one of those people who HATES to miss out on anything (it drove me crazy to miss out on The Elvis Cruise), so I absolutely destroy my sleep schedule on this cruise to make sure I see as much as possible.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.
• Watch Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers in their element. Not only are these guys some of the nicest individuals I’ve ever met, but they have quickly become one of my favorite hands thanks to their past The Rock Boat performances – they’ve taken this ship by storm.  From their spirited cover of Sweet Caroline on TRB VIII to their piano-less cover of Piano Man on TRBIX, SK & the Sixers always bring a seemingly-impossible level energy and passion to every single song.  I’m so excited that they’re back this year, and I can’t wait to see what they have planned.  They deserve all of the good things coming their way.
• See some of my other favorite musicians. Carbon Leaf, Tyrone Wells, Gaelic Storm, Sister Hazel, Pat McGee, Marc Broussard, and on and on.  I can’t believe how many incredible performers are on this cruise.  Add in the fact that they all hop on stage with each other is just icing on the cake.
• Catch Augustana’s performances. I have been a huge fan of Augustana for years, so I was ecstatic when I found out they were added to the Rock Boat lineup.  They put on an great live show, and I have no doubt they will turn lots of heads while on board.  Welcome to the Sixthman family, we’re glad to have you.
• Expect the unexpected. Although this cruise is packed to the gills with scheduled performances (going well into the early morning hours), it’s the stuff that happens OFF the schedule that make the event so special.  I’ve spent the past eleven months helping plan The Rock Boat X, and I know there are still hours and hours of surprises that will knock everybody off their feet.
• Finally see the results of our work. The Rock Boat team has spent the better part of the last year devoting our free time to making The Rock Boat X the best it can be.  I’m so proud of our company, and I’m so proud of what we have planned for this cruise.

I can’t wait for tonight to start.  Rock Boaters, get ready for the best four days of your life.  Sixthman Community, we’ll do our best to pass along as many stories as possible through this blog, so stay tuned over the next few days.

I can’t wait!

-Steve