Page 60 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2012

parade around the dining room before
high-tailing it to the parade on stage to
win Best Dressed. Then, stick around for
late-night snacks to boost your second-
wind for headlining acts and late night
jams.
Save your energy though, because
the LRBC is all about throwing on some
crazy festive outfit and running around
from stage to stage to catch all your
favorite performers. You may be able
to find a moment for a massage in the
spa or some peaceful tanning time on the
top deck as melodies float on the breeze
around you, but I would recommend
living up your week aboard the LRBC
to the fullest. One of the LRBC rules is to
remember, “You can sleep when you get
home!” Andre Mali of the Lionel Young Band
As my party enjoyed the fine dining Photo by Michael Behler
experience seated in the table next to
Tommy Castro or Laurie Morvan, we were served by the ship’s ever-charming staff who asked
me more than a few times if I was a singer or which band I was with. Baffled, I giggled with a
shake of my head, but later realized that the reason I was an apparent celebrity was because
I was one of the few young attendees on board and that most other young adults my age were
indeed there to perform.
This was a feature I appreciated; the continuum that connects infamous contributors to the
genre of the blues such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Bobby Womack, Elvin Bishop and Leon Blue,
to the fresh talents of the younger generation like Girls With Guitars (Samantha Fish, Cassie
Taylor and Dani Wilde), the Cedric Burnside Project and Andre Mali of the Lionel Young Band.
Seeing the spectrum of artists onboard was like seeing the microcosm of what is happening in
the greater blues world: artists of the leading generation have left their mark on the blues and
are entrusting the growth of the blues to a younger generation.
In addition to the creation and promotion
of blues music that the younger generation of
musicians has learned from the greats, a key
factor here is the education of the next generation
of fans so that the blues continues to evolve and
move forward in this world. While there may
not have been that many young adults onboard,
just the fact that young and dedicated musicians
were present assures me that the blues will
continue to be played and enjoyed. Sometime
in the future, the Legendary Rhythm and Blues
Cruise will host a new generation of blues lovers
who will continue the tradition of cruising the
high seas to exotic destinations while rockin’ out
to the blues.

Irene Weaver has been brought up behind the scenes
of RBA Publishing, stepping up to any jobs needed
doing. Now, as editorial support and contributor for
Irene Weaver celebrating Mardi Gras ala LRBC the Blues Festival Guide, she is excited to take a more
Photo by Julia Owens active role in the blues community.

60 Blues Festival Guide 2012