Page 49 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2024 Digital Edition

Long-time cruisers celebrate the start of another LRBC at the Returnee Party.
Photo by Nancy Edwards

The biggest incentive for us to go on Delbert McClinton
& Friends Sandy Beaches Cruise was the lineup. We don’t
get to see Delbert on tour anymore, but he still performs on
this cruise, since he is the founder! Spending the week with
his band “& Friends,” seeing three performances by The
Mavericks, and hanging out with all the bands was awesome!
Beyond that, a lot of these bands are regulars on this cruise
and are friends from Nashville, Austin and the Southeast – so
they all have a blast playing on each other’s sets! I got to see
lots of friends perform whom I rarely see on my side of the
country, was introduced to some new bands that are now
favorites and met a lot of new friends who love this Americana
music genre.
It was an immersion into another community of music
that I don’t see often – everyone was so relaxed, friendly
and welcoming. Beth adds, “Many of the cruisers we had
never met, and yet, upon meeting each other, you feel like
you’ve known them forever. True, everyone on the cruise is
there for the same reason – the music. So, from the moment
you get on the ship, it creates this instant relationship
amongst all the cruisers. It’s on the Sandy Beaches Cruise
where you’re truly feeling the love and friendship from all.
I can’t wait to go back again.” Yes, we will be going back!
sandybeachescruises.com

Whether on board for a day or a week, seeking out blues
on the water is a delight every blues fan should experience at
least once… and you’re likely to seek it out again and again!
Nancy Winner sums it up best: “I love sailing the high seas
in the heart of the winter, feeling carefree, hearing fabulous
music, seeing my friends, soaking up the sun, dancing and
releasing the tension from my job. Freedom and safety are
priceless. And there are no worries about driving or catching
an Uber at the end of the night… just walk back to your
cabin!” …Or head to the Piano Bar.

Blues Festival Guide 2024 47