The Afterglow…Well friends, I am happy to tell you that last week was one of the best weeks of my life! A few days ago, we were preparing for Cayamo, the Caribbean songwriters cruise on which I had been invited to perform (thanks, Rodney!). Leading up to the event, it was only an idea in my mind of what things might be like… how crystal clear blue the water might be, how wonderful the concerts, how warm the sun. But I could never have imagined what an incredible week was to come.
How do I begin?? First, I want to say that the fine folks at Sixthman (the festival promoters) were so friendly and helpful and went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good experience – artists and fans included. We were treated with such respect and kindness and that set the tone for a fantastic experience.
It is all such a blur of good memories in my head… I'll see if I can sort out some of my favorite moments.
We heard SO MUCH great music, beginning with the great Lyle Lovett and his band. The headliners played in a fantastic venue that felt like you were sitting in a huge theater with many balconies. The sound was phenomenal, thanks to Atlanta Sound & Lights… John Hiatt played a rockin', mesmerizing solo set, as did Shawn Colvin and Brandi Carlisle, whose voice was a force. Patty Griffin had a great band with piano, guitar and percussion. Emmylou sparkled and shone as she always does and Buddy Miller rocked. Shawn Mullins put on killer shows…one with sideman phenom Clay Cook, and one with a band. David Ryan Harris had us all clapping and singing. For the first time I heard Clare Wyndham, Evan McHugh, The Bowmans and they were all great.
I cried at Lyle's set when he sang "North Dakota", at Shawn Colvin's set when she sang "Diamond in the Rough" and at Patty's set when she sang "Mary". Also cried when Rose Cousins sang a song called "Good Enough".
We had dinner five feet from Lyle, but I was too chicken to talk to him. I tried not to spill food on myself. Marty gave him a CD. Our waiter looked like Sammy Sosa.
We had happy hour on the Lido Deck with free rum punch serenaded by Shawn Mullins, Edwin McCain, and David Ryan Harris in the round. Does it get any better than that??!?!
We snorkled in Cozumel and saw the most colorful fish I had ever seen and one barracuda that made me scream under water. Drank a margarita that had to be 3 feet high. Marty belly-flopped into the pool (on purpose for the video crew, Owen and Jesse, who were with us, thanks guys!).
Danced our asses off to the music of Oakhurst (bluegrass from Colorado), Gaelic Storm (Irish band) and The Duhks.
Got to sing back-up with the talented Chuck Carrier.
Ran on the treadmill next to Ari Hest. He was going faster than me but his legs are longer.
I had three sets and each one was AWESOME!! For the first I was in a small room called the Red & Black Lounge…it felt like you were in an intimate club, but with very gaudy decorations (it was a cruise ship, after all). J It was like Eddie's Attic at sea… everyone was so respectful and responsive, it was like heaven!! Then my second set I played in a high-ceilinged atrium. It was cool that the stage was BEHIND the bar. That was a new one for me. I had the uncontrollable urge to pour drinks and make up names for them…so hard to focus with so much going on! Again, lots of people came out to listen and I was blown away by their enthusiasm and openness to my music. WOOHOO! Oh yeah, and it was right after my margarita in Mexico so I may have been slightly loopy. Then my last set was back in the Red & Black Lounge, and I was joined by my drummer friend Kevin Leahy, who played on "New Blood" back in the day. He happened to be on the boat playing with the great Evan McHugh and volunteered to play with me. It was so much fun and a VERY energetic set and the very cute Chuck Carrier sang with us some, too. We did a version of Ben Harper's "Better Way", which strikes me as being a song that conveys a very appropriate sentiment for our times.
I saw so many people I knew on the boat! It truly warmed my heart to know that these good folks came there to see me!
and we made many new friends, too! People were there from all over the country, and we also met folks from Scotland, Canada, Itlay, Ireland. Everyone was incredibly open to new music, attentive, respectful, friendly, and excited.
in beautiful Grand Cayman I went walking on the beach with my mom and our friend Cathy. I needed a relaxing day after all the activity!! Couldn't keep up with Marty…he went swimming with the stingrays and got some awesome photos.
Had some mad Uno tournaments on the Lido deck with our friends Damon and Jeff...you guys rock.
Sixthman generously arranged a private party on the beach in Jamaica for the artists and their guests. The water was breathtakingly beautiful, jade green. We swam, drank rum punch, got some sun, watched a man exercising his racehorse in the ocean (no, that's not a euphemism), at which time Marty said, "do you think he's gonna put that pony on a boat?" and everyone died laughing. Everyone found their own little spot on the beach, but it was cool sharing that moment with all the artists. My personal highlight was when Marty asked Patty Griffin if she was going to do a reggae version of "Baking Pies". She laughed. She's really beautiful up close.
Dammit they had the best warm melting chocolate cake on the boat and we couldn't help ourselves, I think we ate it every night.
Our cabin was dark as night so we slept like champs and never knew what time it was. Heavenly.
I only spent $24.85 on drinks the entire time, can you believe that?? Nice people kept buying them for me. I love nice people!
Sold a hundred CDs and 15 t-shirts, woohooooooooooooooo!!
I was asked to be a "celebrity judge" (hee hee, little ol' me??!!) for an open mike. It was truly a pleasure to kick back and listen to all of the offerings. Every single person there was a true music lover and it showed in the sincere and entertaining delivery!
Got to hang out on a very quiet deck at the front of the ship and just play guitar in the sun. I was so inspired and reenergized by the other artists. I can get so down on myself when I am in my little world isolated, but hearing so much great music made me want to work even harder and rededicate myself to my dream. I had a wonderful conversation with my friend (and fellow singer-songwriter) Kate Graves that made me feel so inspired and connected. Love you, Kate…
I had such a wonderful time hanging out with old friends from the Atlanta days…We got to spend some time with Jesse and his girlfriend Amber, and with Rodney, Andy, Red, David, Chuck, Ryan & Jen. It was kind of like the old days, but better.
I can't think of a single bad thing that happened, except that Marty's eardrum popped under water.
And it turns out Marble our puppy dog still loves us and has already forgiven us for going away for a week. Thank you cousin Shannon, Uncle John, and all at Southside Vet Clinic for coming through again!
The ground is still wobbly. Is there a patch for land-sickness?