Playing Catch-up with the Blog

Okay, I know....promised to blog every day. But my choices were to eat, drink, watch live music,
make new friends, hug old friends, nap, nurse a hangover....repeat...or blog.  Sorry, didn't get
around to the blogging until now.  Learning to pace myself a little better...guess I was out of
practice for such unbridled fun.

We weren't even on the boat yet when we met Coco Montoya and his lovely wife.  Coco has a new CD out "I Want it All Back", which is one of my favorites, so that was a real joy.  Our cabin wasn't ready
when we boarded, so we went to the Lido buffet to grab lunch. Sat next Smokin' Joe Kubik and Bnois
King.  They also have a new CD out, and will be performing a unique acostic set.

Before sailing there is alwaya a lifeboat drill.  We learned that (in the event of an emergecy) we
would be sharing a lifeboat with Sister Monica, Kim Wilson ad Elvin Bishop.  That could be a good
time, Elvin could "Fish, Fish", Sister Monica can prepare the fish as along as she's "Cookin' With
Grease" and Kim Wilson...well he's "Tuff Enough" for anything.

Had dinner Sunday night with Paul Bejamin (former Blues Foundation President; Promoter of the North
Atlantic Blues Festival; club owner; and now manager for Kenny Neal) and his lovely wife.

Unlike normal cruises on the blues cruise you can nightly change your dinner time, your table, and your
dinner partners. Or you can "upgrade" to the fancy restaurant for $20 per person more.  Of course,
we had to try it Monday night....not that there's anything wrong with the regular dining room fare, but wow, that cooked to order meal was really special.

Road in the elevator with Commander Cody and later with Kid Anderson....another wow moment(s).

Also unique to the blues cruise is the ability to bring on board bottles of wine and/or champagne.
Which explains my time spent Monday in bed nursing a case of the "wine flu".  It's not so bad since
you can have free room service and watch many of the "live" shows on the TV in the cabin.  Watched
Elvin Bishop perform with John Nemeth and Kid Anderson.  Elvin introduced John Nemeth as a the
bluesman who would be ruling the world in 17 months.

Last night made it to the Smokin Joe and Bnois King show on the back deck as the ship sailed from
Cabo to Puerta Vallerta.  Perfect weather, perfect time. Partied with Bill Wax (Sirius/XM radio
Bluesville 74), Jay Sielman (Director of the Blues Foundation) and their lovely wives.  Joining Joe
and Benois on stage was Jimmy Thackery.  Joining Bill and I was Jimmy's wife (who confirmed for me,
that no....Jimmy still doesn't drive).

One of my all time favorite blues songs is by Joe and Bnois, it's called Flame Thrower (for their
2008/2009 release).  I kept callig out for it...they didn't perform it....but just as good, a guy
named Scott Gurevich came up and introduced himself as the guy who wrote Flame Thrower....yes I got
a business card!

Then it was on to the Pro/Am Jam.  Gordon was already on stage tearing it up on guitar when John
Nemeth arrived. Then it was Gordon down and John up...singing and playing harp. I walked up to John
between songs and requested another of my all time favorite songs that John performs "Into the
Fire"; since he was onstage with "jammers" he declined to perform it. But when he got down off stage
he sat next to me and we chatted about his seven seconds of fame on the TV show "Memphis Beat".
Seven hours of filming to capture seven seconds on screen. I introduced myself as Marketing Director
for the Blues Festival Guide, and was totally delighted to learn he loves our magazine and our
weekly newsletter.  My seven seconds of fame. And me without a camera....never go any where without
a camera.

At some point last night I saw Coco Montoya on the big stage.  He invited up Eddy the Chief
Clearwater and Mike Morgan.  Both Coco and Eddy play left handed.  Not sure about Eddy, but Coco
plays with the strings reversed (big string on the bottom, little string on the top).  Mike Morgan
is right handed, so he just took Coco's guitar, flipped it over and tore it up!  Awesome!

Gordon managed to catch Johnny & Edgar Winter and Eddy the Chief (doing his own show)...not sure
where I was...but he had the camera and got pictures.  I'll catch those shows another day...or on
the TV in the cabin (they tape shows in the big room ad replay them later)

Today we are in port at Puerto Vallerta.  Kaati and Mike are doing a tour while I ....blog. Next
Gordon and I are off to a walk around Puerta Vallerta.  Enjoy the pictures!

Nancy Edwards
Marketing Chic

Gordon jammin with Tommy McCoy in the Crows Nest

Eddy the Chief Clearrwater

Bnois King

Elvin Bishop All Stars

Kid Anderson

view of the back stage

Johnny Winter

Johnny and Edgar Winter

arriving in Cabo

me enjoying my coffee as we arrive in Cabo

Joe & Bnois joined by Jimmy Thackery & Rick Estrin

Jay Sielman & Bill Wax

more Joe, Bnois & Jimmy

view from behind the stage

arriving in Puerto Vallarta

We are in San Diego!

We are here...and more important so is the ship.  We could see it as we landed at the airport.

The first load of luggage leaves the hotel at 9am...our luggage will be among that group. And it 

 will be nice to have somebody else do all the heavy lifting....we have a lot of luggage.  

Especially Kaati, because she has brought costumes for every theme night. Check out this picture of her and luggage at the airport.

Okay, so not all that is her's......  But most of it...I swear. 

Here's Gordon to the rescue, loading the rental car. Maybe could of used a little bigger car.

Made it to the host hotel, the Crowne Plaza.  Right now the pre-party with Earl Thomas is getting underway.

So I'm out of here, and on my way to the "practice" partying.  

Wish you could all be here.

Nancy Edwards

Mktg Chic

COSTUMES AND DANCING

Now the count is only 10 days until we board the elegant ms Zaandam in San Diego a week from Sunday. We just purchased our tickets for the pre-board party at the Crowne Plaza San Diego on Saturday night:

Official Pre-Party Info!

There will be a pre-cruise party at the Crowne Plaza hosted by the Blues Lovers United of San Diego scheduled for October 16^th featuring Earl Thomas & the Blues Ambassadors and Missy Andersen! Tickets are available online at a discounted rate of $15 (until October 1). Purchase your tickets here: http://blusd.org

I heard a rumor that our own Michele Lundeen, the Queen of Steam, (and editor of the Blues Festival Guide) magazine will also be performing on stage. She is my favorite blues singer so I am really looking forward to the pre-party!

And my favorite guitar player, Gordon Bulcock, aka: Blues E-Guide editor, will be performing.  With a little luck....just maybe at the same time! 

On Nancy's blog you will notice that she dismisses the costumed theme-nights aboard our ship. Don't listen to her! That is one of the things I like most about the cruise: the whole extravaganza of it: the drama and frivolity of dancing under the stars to your favorite blues band in a pink wig.

Nancy's luggage will be lighter than mine as I have a duffel bag full of costumes and mardi gras beads; and I try hard to win one of the best costume prizes each year. Keep checking back to this blog while we are sailing and we will post fun photos.

Yours in the Blues,
Kaati

Counting the Days to the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise sets sail for Mexico

Only 18 days til we board the ship (if I counted on my fingers correctly).  "We" means Nancy Edwards (that's me, the Marketing Director) my SO (significant other...in cyber speak) Gordon Bulcock...he's Editor of the weekly E-Guide, and Kaati the Owner/Publisher/President and sometimes boss over RBA Publishing, umbrella company to The Blues Festival Guide and The Reggae Festival Guide.  Gordon, Kaati and I have cruised on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 3 times previously.  And you betcha....we are back for more.  The highlight of my adult life. 


Joining us will be Kaati's new SO, Mike.  I've never met Mike before....but if he's okay with her...I'm sure he'll be okay with me.  This will be Mike's first LRBC.  I'm jealous...I remember my first time......it was magical.  Not that each cruise subsequently hasn't been wonderful...but seriously, your first time is always special...is it not?

It will probably be hot in Mexico, so we are shopping the "end of summer" sales for new clothes.  Plus we are listening to CDs from the artists we'll see and meet on the cruise.  I want to be able to sing-along; or at the very least know the name of the songs so I can tell the artists when I meet them, which songs are my favorites and ask them to be sure and play them for me.


That's one of the things that makes these cruises so special.  They say everyone has a back-stage pass.  And it's true.  You look up and surprise....it's Marcia Ball, or Debbie Davies, or Derek Trucks in-line next to you at the lunch buffet.  So I gotta be ready!


Or even better...in the past we've had stars like Lil Ed, or David Maxwell have their cabin right next to ours.  Image getting a knock at your cabin door and it's piano virtuoso David Maxwell wondering if he can borrow a wine opener.   That's priceless!  


So we are ready with a good camera this year, and will be posting photos from each day's adventures.   Check back each day.  Here's our itinerary:

10/17: San Diego, depart 5pm (Hometown Blues)

10/18: Bluesin’ At Sea (Soul Blues)

10/19: Cab San Lucas, 10am~6pm (Legendary Gear)

10/20: Puerto Vallarta, Noon~7pm (Gimme Back My Wig!)

10/21: Mazatlan, 9am~6pm (Day Of The Dead)

10/22: Bluesin’ At Sea (Carnival)

10/23: Bluesin’ At Sea (Casual/Pajama)

10/24: San Diego, 7am

The words in parenthesis are the dress-up themes for each day.  Personally, I don't like to dress -up...but many of the cruises do.  Either way, it's all good.  Good times for all.


This cruise will be featuring performances something like 70 performances over the course of 7 days.  Here's the list of who's on-board...literally.

The way it works having 70 performances is ...sometimes they will have 3 performances going at once.  Fun to walk from one to the next.  The shows that occur in the grand ballroom are taped, and will play on the TV in the cabin later.  If you miss a show in the ballroom, catch it on TV later.  Or if you made it to the show, watch for yourself on TV. 


If you've been on a LRBC before, then this blog is gonna be hard to read, I know.  There is a January Caribbean LRBC cruise, and of course this October Mexican cruise each year...it kills me when I can't be on both.  


If I'm not on the ship, everyday I think "where are they today? who's performing today? who's in my cabin?"  It's so hard not to be on every cruise.  No wonder they sell out so quickly.  


News Flash:  The October 17-24th 2010 cruise still has a few cabins left.  That almost never happens.  Damn recession anyhow.  If you've got a few bucks in your pocket....come aboard with us.  Sign up at www.bluescruise.com

Okay, enough day dreaming for today.  I'm pretty lucky....but I won't be for long if I don't get back to work here quick.

Til my next day dream blog!


Nancy Edwards
Blues Festival Guide
www.bluesfestivalguide.com