When we woke up in Miami on Thursday we took a taxi over to the Sofitel Hotel in Miami to catch the VIP shuttle to the port to board the cruise ship. (Luckily it wasnt the same taxi driver from the night before).
We had about an hour before our shuttle time so we had to sit around outside and wait and watch other artist board their shuttles. As we were sitting there it started to really sink in just how big this experience was. I saw our friend Zac Brown, Grayson Hill, The Georgia Satelites boarding, and then Marshal Tucker Band actually rode with us. As we were boarding Lynyrd Skynyrd was walking out getting their gear ready to take off as well. It was wild -
Our first show was on that same night - we played around 6:00 so by the time we got on board and got all our stuff ready we didnt really have time to think about the show or even get nervous ---- and then it happened. Our first show was outside on the Lido Deck. Its a big stage right out by the pool where most folks congregate during the day. As we were setting sail the concerts started - of all bands in the world COWBOY MOUTH played right before us and like a dumbass I went out there to catch their show. They have these T-shirts that read - "The greatest live show on earth". Let me tell you folks - thats not a lie by any means. They are one of the most intense bands I have ever seen and had that whole deck rocking! All I could think was - "I cannot believe Im about to follow these guys - a national touring band thats rocking it out and Im about to play 3 chord Redkneck Music"! But it was true and we climbed on stage - it went great. Our KnecKDown family came up front and center to support and before long more and more followed. After the show there were several folks that came for pictures and autographs or just to meet the Redknecks from the Bama and Georgia. It was a great experience and it was nice to play on the first night on the big stage cause folks were really fired up and ready to party.
We then had two days off to sit in with other bands, see Key West, and spend a day in Calica, Mexico. Those two days allowed us time to catch other bands and drink some much needed cold drinks that helped us feel like we were actually on vacation! It was cool as hell to watch all these great acts just walking around and mingling with everyone. It really forces all the bands to take breaks and hang out as well so that was a lot of fun. You see these folks out on the road because a lot of the time you are playing the same venues just on different nights - so it was great to actually meet them and talk about the music and just have fun.
Words cannot express how much fun this trip was - more later...