July 29, 2004
2004 Alaska Bluegrass Cruise
We have just returned from our 2004 Alaska Bluegrass Cruise maiden voyage and it was fantastic!! Everyone had a great time. Every night the music was stunning! John Reischman & The Jaybirds always amaze us with their innovative arrangements and beautiful vocals... and I don't mean just Trisha. We were privileged to preview many new songs you will find on their new CD. Lost Highway was outstanding, and as usual, perfectly delightful with their wonderful balance of excellent music, superb harmonies and entertaining dialogue.
The weather was great and the scenery majestic, the jamming a joyful time together. Workshops and private lessons were the highlight for many. Let's not forget to mention the beautiful cruise ship...the wonderful crew that met our every need, the food, the hot tub and pool....did I mention the food. We had a wedding (Dick Brown of Lost Highway & wife Debbie) and several anniversaries to celebrate along the way. If you want to know more about our unforgettable seven day voyage check out the BLOG journal and 2004 Photo Album for comments from and pictures of all the happy bluegrass cruisers.
Posted by Carla at July 29, 2004 08:33 AM
Comments
This cruise was so much fun! I had a hard time deciding what to do: take a lesson from John Reischman, watch the whales, take a lesson from Jim Nunally, watch the dolphins, eat, jam, eat, watch the scenery.. so many options. I highly recommend this cruise. All the musicians and jammers were extrememly friendly and approachable and it was a tremendous learning experience. I'd go again!
Posted by: Kathleen Rushing at January 23, 2005 08:43 PM
What a deal!! You not only get waited on hand and foot, you are served a variety of food that makes you want to spend your whole day eating, view some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world, but you also have shows from two of the best bluegrass bands in the business. Did I mention the fact that they put on workshops and try to teach you how to sound as great as they do? Not that I could, of course, but it's the thought that counts. The band members and cruisers as well were the nicest and most thoughtful folks you could ever hope to meet. Would we ever consider taking the cruise again? In a heartbeat! It was such a treat to meet everyone and to share such an experience. The first night off the ship we found ourselves missing everyone and we wished we could have just one more show.
Thanks again to Carla, Greg and Ken for everything they did for us.
Jim and Carol
Posted by: Jim & Carol Fisher at August 2, 2004 10:52 AM
As you know, I am not a religious person, but if there is a heaven, it must be something like the recent bluegrass cruise! We were able to get individualized instruction from first class musicians. The concerts almost every night were another opportunity to get to know the musicians better. Nightly jamming with other passengers as well as with members of Jaybirds and Lost Highway were fantastic. It was like being at a seven day bluegrass festival, but instead of sleeping in a tent, dealing with outhouses, other people's dogs and eating hotdogs, we had our every need taken care of! The scenery was not too shabby either. I feel that I have made some new friends in the world-wide bluegrass community, and that some of these new friends are members of very fine bands. Thanks for all your hard work putting this together. Next year could you please see that there is a re-entry program to return to real life?
Thanks,
Pat
Posted by: Pat Foster at July 30, 2004 10:30 AM
Just a quick note to say thanks again to both of you for your hard work and for doing such a wonderful job putting on the bluegrass cruise. The boys and I haven't stop talking about all the fun we had. The cruise was really great but having all the music and jamming around made it just perfect. I spoke to quite a few people on the ship that weren't part of the bluegrass group and they said that they really we thrilled to have the bluegrassers on board. We all felt so blessed to be able to be part of it. So, thanks again and we hope we'll get to see you guys again sometime.
Stacey
Hesperia,CA
Posted by: Stacey at July 30, 2004 09:46 AM
