I’m almost packed to head off tomorrow to DC & NYC for three Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue gigs. Looking very forward to seeing my bro and the band and lotsa croozers at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, BB King’s in Times Square and Ramshead in Annapolis. Many thanks to my bro for kicking in some frequent miles to get me there. : ) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Whatever snake oil these guys are selling, I’m buying. I figure it’s cheaper than a visit to the spa and a helluva lot more fun! Four hours of kick-a** high-octane peak performance – and best of all, the show’s always different! That’s the way it is on board the Blues Cruise when they jam. And that’s the way Tommy Castro leads the Revue. A year ago, I hadn’t been off the boat more than a week when I headed back East for just one more show. This time, with three of ‘em, I feel like I’m manifesting all things wonderful all over again. Folks around here asked last year why I would fly across the flippin’ continent for just one show. I felt like saying, “If you have to ask the question, you can’t understand the answer.” But I didn’t. Instead, I said something like: -- The Tommy Castro Band remains one of the most reliably energizing rock ‘n’ roll bands touring today. Sure, they play around my nabe a lot. Lucky me. -- Deanna Bogart….well, I could go on and on and on. And I will one of these days. Suffice it to say, she’s a, what?, quadruple threat? Vocalist, keyboards, sax, songwriter…and one of the most genuine people you’d ever want to know. More on how a mudslide brought us together. And I’m not talking about a cocktail. -- Magic Dick. He is. The first part, I mean. His music kickstarted every college weekend for me. I swear, his feet never touch the stage. And I absolutely adore how he comes on stage during Deanna’s set to revel in her glory. As a matter of fact, one of the greatest things about the Revue is the reverence all they guys pay The Girl In The Band – on stage and off. -- Ronnie Baker Brooks. He changes everything. Fluid and solid. Amusing and heart-rending. He’s it and that’s that. . . . . . . . . . A few things I posted today on the message board before I go. Some Ruthie Foster sniplets: Many thanks to long-time Austin croozers Peggy & Kathy who’ve been writing in Ruthie for years now. They’re so close that Ruthie entertained at Doc’s/Peggy’s 80th birthday party. When they introduced me to her last cruise, felt like family to me. ...Caught Ruthie and her folks getting a last-night pic with their dining room waiter. It was as if they just couldn’t get off the ship without it. ...If we can’t always have Irma Thomas leading our Gospel Brunch, I vote for Ruthie! ....Happened to be sitting next to Mike Finnegan during Ruthie’s last Pool Deck set, who opined that she was one performer he did not want to miss. And, oh yeah, that was during the Finnegan Rainbow event in St. Kitts! Quotes overheard onboard: ...Blame it on the boat. Said PG, a lot. ...That's when you know the night's about over. Said Carlton with a smile around 6 am when a croozer lamented he dropped his roach in his jello shot. . . . . . . . . . Awright…’nuff for now. Except to thank you for your wonderful support and kind words about my doing this. It’s my pleasure. After 100 or so years pounding out copy for others, now it’s my turn.

'Scuse me...I'm having a Dr. Martin Luther King moment

The above posts are about the October ’07 Pacific Blues Cruise. I can rightfully say “ditto” about the cruise just past–the January ’08 offering on the Caribbean. At the Ft. Lauderdale pre-sail party, Captain Roger Naber gave me his blessings to blog away. So, away we go. Dam* the typos; full speed ahead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today is Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. Haven’t gotten much sleep in recent days. Haven’t unpacked or picked up groceries since returning home last night. Seems all I’ve done is filter thru hundreds of emails. The chores will wait. Because today is the day to tell a story about heavenly intervention on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. A new Blues Cruise tradition was born, I believe, when Irma Thomas and friends took the stage on Day 3 for the Gospel Brunch. Ms. Thomas set the bar in the upper cosmos with her inclusiveness and humanity, her inspiration and soul. (More on Ms. Thomas and an elevator experience later.) Blingalicious emcee Jimmy Lynch, tears streaming down his cheeks, took the microphone to pay his homage. You see, Jimmy’s father was a Baptist minister, his mother a Pentecostal one. They were more than contemporaries of Dr. King’s; they were his friends. Jimmy delivered a tribute that was both heart-breaking and heart-healing in its personal experience, profound reverence and eternal hope. The Vista was near capacity. We didn’t rock the house so much as sway it – in unison with our hands holding one another’s tightly, singing We Shall Overcome. I happened to have a seat on the steps leading to the stage, giving me a perfect view of the scene. Even Joe Rosen set down his camera to join hands. Hey, did someone get a pic of that? Joe without his gear…well, glory be. Now, this little New Age Jewish Neo-Pagan girl has participated in a bit of gospel here and there. But this time, this time I tell you, I am here to testify. Sometime later in the day – gonna guess it was around Tommy Castro’s set – I had a Pool Deck moment with Jimmy Lynch. I told him that his tribute touched me like none before. We glistened and gleamed at each other in full afterglow. And then I said, “Dr. King is here on this boat with us right now, you know.” Jimmy’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped and we both presented our goose-bumply arms as witness. Testify. Can I get an Amen.

Welcome to thebloozyblog's first post: An Open Letter to Roger Naber

Shortly after I returned from the October 2007 Pacific Blues Cruise, my appreciation had to blurble itself out. Here's what I posted Oct 23, 2007 on Cruiser Chat...and Roger's eloquent reply. Dear Roger Naber: All I know is this: If you’re throwing a party, I hope to be among the revelers. After six Legendary cruises, it remains a mystery to me how you manage to be so blithely in control while the rest of us are so blitheringly not. Once we set foot on the Pool Deck for Sail Away, we are yours for the week. For those of us who feel like lifers, we are yours for the ages. Take us where you wish, entertain us as you desire; we’re high on Cloud Nine on the high seas. Tell ‘em to save the engines -- we’ll generate the juice to power that Dam ship. I've tried to share the breadth and depth of my gratitude with you from time to time, but all I seem to manage is a fehrklempt little mumbling of, “Thank you, Roger…for everything.” Well, fact is, that doesn’t cover a nanoprick’s worth of the appreciation and awe I feel for you and your finely tuned troupers. You amass an amalgam of talent so real and so rare that it’s like experiencing Yosemite for the first time every time. You raise the bar on raising our spirit. You are the chieftain and we are your tribe. Thank you, Roger…for everything. From Roger, posted in the wee hours of Oct 24, 2007 Renee: Thank you so much for your kind words. After 3 days to recover following your 6th cruise, you're gushing more now than ever. You must have had your BEST cruise ever being the recipient of the highly contested (Least Sleep Award). I do a lot of wrestling with myself to get the lineup that I think will rise to the cruisers expectations from year to year. There are also a lot of worthy bands and musicians who have yet to play on the ship, many whom are my friends that have performed for me through the years at my former club, the Grand Emporium. Yes, it's true that the cruise is "all about the music", and there are a lot of additional layers that we have added to the event. So I am fortunate to have an Impeccable Team of fun hard working partners, employees and event staff. The stage crews and engineers come back year after year with tireless energy to operate the venues from 12 to 16 hours a day to keep the music playing for all of us. Julia has come up with a lot of creative ideas, expanding on the Silent Auctions, the Culinary Demos and has helped with creating the Backbone Of The Blues and the Street Team. Scott is our quiet "Cruise Director" who executes much of the onboard activities. He creates many of the fun extras around the ship as well as the informative email blasts advertising ideas and our web site. The Travel and Customer Service Office of Tracy, LeAnne and Cathy keep all of the musicians and cruisers comfortable and informed of any cabin opportunities and travel concerns. They also work tirelessly to support the event in many ways you aren't aware of. Nanner keeps the task of the Project Plan on track that allows the onboard staff to realize their shifts that makes this seem effortlessly. Our ship agent Leon works weekly with Holland throughout the year to ensure our needs are followed up on with the onboard crew as well as supplying us with more knowledge of how the ships officers think and operate. Being a musician himself, he has a strong passion for our event which often drives him to go beyond the call of duty for LRBC. Sharolyn, Paula, Tom and Mardi all keep the bands happy onboard with their specific needs, which keeps the groove of the music smooth and upbeat. Our terrific partners offer great advice and valuable assistance whenever asked. The Awards Party and Virgin Party are hosted by Geoff and Judy who have a blast with our onboard activities. Yes, I'm the visionary and the promoter of record, but this fabulous cruise isn't just about me and my event which keeps you all immersed in a week of Bluesin' bliss. It's the entire devoted LRBC Team that keeps our Mojo Workin' as well as you GREAT BLUES FANS who have the passion to come back as often as you are able to. January promises to be yet another cruise that may just be better than the one we just came off of. Practically everyone was giving testimonials about a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE or how this cruise was the BEST YET. Less than 3 months until the next one and I can't hardly wait myself! Enuff said for now...