| | Mayercraft Cruise
Current mood:  pirate
Category: Travel and Places It has been a long time since I have blogged about anything. This is blog-worthy for 2 reasons...first, I have been sick since I got off the boat and can't speak or stay awake long enough to tell all of you who have called about it the details. Second, it was an interesting trip...my first cruise.
I went on the cruise with Austin, now 16 years old, an outstanding musician and a great passion for live music. We left for St. Louis from CoMo at 3:45 am on Friday to find ourselves in the port of Miami via Ft. Lauderdale by 3:30. Long day needless to say. When we got to our room, we were pleasantly surprised by having a private, little deck (spa floor) that Austin played his guitar on whenever he had the chance. The party started right there. We unloaded our suitcases, ok, I unloaded mine and Austin lived out of his. He began his jam sessions before the boat set sail.
About 5, John Mayer was on deck talking to a couple people in which he got caged in by all the fans on the boat with cameras. It made me realize the price of celebrity and the price of uninterrupted conversation. "It must not easy" were my thoughts. I actually thought "poor john". I know, silly.
Somewhere as we started to set sail, John introduced himself (as if) and that he wanted to kick it with his friends and try to be as normal as possible and to please put up the cameras. Well, he didn't say it quite so eloquently - f'ing cameras.  He reiterated to have a great time and enjoy all the music, etc. and the bon voyage party. The bon voyage party was not really all that fun - vh-1 was hosting it and only hit up 25% of the people on the crew with drinks and hats, tees, etc. They never made it to our side of the boat. However, Austin and I were having a great time people watching...interesting stuff on a cruise. (Let's put it this way - by the end of the trip Austin had seen enough big, saggy-breasted, half naked women until the next mayer craft cruise!)
Sparing too many details - we never made it off the boat. We made some good friends while Austin jammed on guitar and I laid out by the pool. The food was awful...no matter where you ate. We hit as many venues as we could staying up until 3am and waking up in time to start all over again the next day about noon.
About the music...John Mayer is amazing. Both personally in the Q&A (an hour plus of just questions and answers) and on stage(about 4 times). That was why he was the headliner. However, other than being on the same ship, he was non-existent. We didn't see him mingling or eating lunch. I heard that he did - danced in the disco one night, had a Borat swimsuit on at a private party, got off the boat in Freeport and did a concert there, but those were rumors from other Mayercraft people. What I do know is this:
1. Austin and I both fell in love with the music of Brett Dennen. We had not heard him before, but we tried every chance we got to watch him play. (Unfortunately we got into the 2nd John Mayer show and missed an impromptu gathering with Brett down on the casino stage - ugh!) His music is beautiful and honest and thought-provoking. Our new fav. We got to personally meet him the last night even tho he was in line at the buffet whenever we were and we didn't want to bug him- (he eats kidney beans, fyi). But when we did muster up the courage to tell him that we love his music - he was kind and snapped a picture with Austin. Love the guy.
2. I have been a fan of Brandi Carlile, but I think I overplayed her last summer at the lake and in the car and in the house because none of the men in my house liked her. We saw her opening performance a few rows from the front and Austin has become a believer! He loved her. It was just herself, her guitar, keyboards and Josh, her cello player. They were off the hook. She played in impromptu piano session by the wine bar that we listened in on. No mic, just uncovered the piano and began to play. Amazing. Voice of an angel. We ran into Josh and chatted it up with him and he was really sweet and engaging.
3. I was a fan of Colbie Caillat when she was the myspace artist of the year. Had her cd before she got signed. However, live, not impressed with Colbie. Her band members seemed to carry her thru her sets and then of course, John Mayer showing up towards the end to play a little electric with her, helped. When running into her on the boat, she was rude. Added to the poor showing the night before and becoming less of a fan. Sat with other people on the transfer back to the airport who partied with Colbie and crew and said that she was rude as well. Bummer. Her drummer, Mike Baker who could be Nick Baker's long lost brother, was sweet and offered encouraging words to Austin about following what is the biggest passion in his heart...playing and creating music.
4. Became a fan of David Ryan Harris (John Mayer's back up guitarist). He was amazing. We saw him in a small venue on the ship and he was very personable. His music is like butter...smooth. His voice can never be over-played on your i-pod. Loved it. We only got to see him once, but are hoping for more in the future!
5. Martin Sexton was great. His music leans more towards blues...we bought the cd and I hope I warm up to it. Austin really liked it and thought Tom would be a fan. I ran into him 3 or 4 times on the boat and he was always cordial and engaging.
6. Dave Barnes did a set - we didn't stick around long for it.
If you have any personal questions, feel free to ask, I tried to just get you all the facts. Overall, I would go again...with Austin and hopefully Tom and Ty. It was an experience that can't be relived but we will try! Maybe this will provoke a few of you to save some pennies for next years event!!
Loves,
Bec |
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