Man, I am behind on doing my write-up about Cayamo 2011 (which ended less than a month ago)–and I realized how behind I was when I received the first notice today about planning for Cayamo 2012. No, I am not kidding. Part of my challenge is just trying to summarize the experience effectively. When you attend around 50 concerts in one week (out of the 120 concerts and jam sessions that occurred) you have a lot to describe. And my description cannot do it justice. So before embarking on my attempt, I will first suggest that you check out PASTE’s 10 Unforgettable Moments from Cayamo 2011 and Kim Ruehl’s recollections at No Depression as they are likely to be more insightful (I did take solace in Ruehl’s observation “Considering there are more than 125 shows scheduled for the week you’re on the music cruise, picking a Top 3 can be tough.”).
Part of the appeal to Cayamo is understandably some of the big names. But when all is said and done, my favorite shows (of the major acts) involved Buddy Miller or Patty Griffin, neither of whom were on the ship until the final three days or so. But in those days, I was astounded how many shows the two of them did (plus Songwriters in the Round).
The main part of Cayamo that keeps me coming back, however, are the artists that I discover. Here’s my list of new discoveries for 2011.
- Scott Miller
- Ellis Paul
- Keith Sewell
- Scott and Amanda Anderson
- Sebastian Steinberg
- Andy Leftwich
- Dar Williams
- The Mastersons
One person not on that list is Chuck Cannon, because I discovered Cannon last year–but I was so glad to see him back on Cayamo 2011. With any luck he and Shawn Mullins will get a chance to do their songwriting session again (last done in 2010) in 2012.
My wife and I were fortunate enough to sit next to a great husband and wife, who knew their music and were also great conversationalists. The husband, Bill Lambert, was kind enough to share some of the pictures he took and gave me permission to run some of them (from the many he posted on his Flickr account). My thanks to Bill.
(From left to right) Scott Anderson, Wendy Buckner Sewell, Keith Sewell, Andy Leftwich and Sebastian Steinberg
Scott Miller
Patty Griffin
Buddy Miller
#1 by Beth Little on March 25, 2011 - 9:49 pm
Hi, happy to read your blog on Cayamo 2011. I went on 2010 with my husband Tim for our 25th anniversary. We are already committed to 2012. We had Lyle and John Hiatt–each as headliners with big bands. Brandi, Steve, and ELH! Also Buddy everywhere and Shawn and Chuck and so many more I cant even say. So great. Except for only five days. I was wondering if you could offer an opinion. Last time we booked late and got the 6 pm shows. I loved them ’cause there was so much more in Spinnaker and everywhere into the evening. However, I have to wonder whether the headliners gained steam over the evening and were better later…which makes sense to me. Also, maybe it would be nice to sit down really late rather than sit on the floor somewhere or perch. Getting older, you know. So the question is….what do you think are the best times for the big shows?
#2 by admin on March 26, 2011 - 9:57 am
Beth, thanks for posting a comment and asking. Cayamo 2010 was my first time there, for my birthday–so I love to hear you and your Tim got to celebrate your 25th anniversary then!
There’s no set time for a good show. That’s my take. To be honest, if you’re talking the Stardust (main) show, I always thought the 10 PM show was the best. Because you have a slight more chance for an encore (assuming there was no show after the last show). I picked the 8 PM show this past year for my selected shows. Through a schedule change at 2011 Patty Griffin played an 8 PM show and a 10 PM show, back-to-back on one night. I had tickets to 8 PM, loved it. But on a hunch I got in line to get a spare ticket for 10 PM (unlike 2010, where if you did not have ticket to Stardust, once all ticketed people sat, they would let folks without tickets in and find a spare seat; for 2011 Sixthman got organized and actually had spare tickets they would give people who wanted to get in)–and was treated to Patty being joined by Buddy Miller’s band for most of her show. Her 10 PM show was far superior to her incredibly great 8 PM show.
On the flip side, in 2010, I was at the Buddy Miller show in the Spinnaker lounge. And I left early to catch Larkin Poe. Apparently to folks who stayed for the whole Miller show, right after I walked out Buddy invited Shawn Colvin to join him on stage.
My opinion is just one. Have you ever checked out the Cayamo message boards (http://www.sixthman.net/community/viewforum.php?f=5)? It is a vocal minority (considering there’s under about 50 folks respectfully discussing their opinions (a microcosm of the 2,000+ folks on the cruise)? I rarely post on there, but I often lurk to get a feel for opinions.
The more I think about your question, I don’t think there is a bad time for shows. But if I was picking, I’d lean toward 8 or 10 PM.
One more thing, programming is going to change for 2012. They had crowd demand problems for Richard Thompson and other shows in the Spinnaker, so they are going to try to counter-program with other shows. So your decisions on non-main shows are going to be harder to decide. But that being said, any way you go, you get a good show, I think.
Thanks for posting.
Does that help some? Feel free to ask follow-up questions, I love interacting with my readers.
#3 by Beth Little on March 26, 2011 - 10:32 am
Excellent. Kind of what I was thinking. I was at that Buddy show when Shawn came and she was great. Frankly, I am a Buddy Miller freak and know he will play a lot of shows and can’t think of missing him. You are right that good shows can happen anytime. There was a Shawn Mullins/Chuck Collins set in the atrium that had me in tears. I am leaning towards the later shows. Thanks a lot! One thing that is overwhelmingly true is that the Cayamo community has so much in common–a love of live music at a high level of both lyrics and instrumentation. I simply cannot wait and knowing I am going on another will keep me going through the year. The only question now is whether I can spring for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass too! (It is free but I live in Oregon.) I managed both in 2010! ~Beth