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