Blog
Hey Everyone! We wanted to let you know about Premier Christian Cruise's photography site. It features tons of photos from our trip, especially concerts and Coco Cay. So we invite you to sit back and enjoy some memories from the boat! You can browse individual photos, watch a slideshow of galleries, or purchase photos if you wish. Compared to other services, you'll find these photos are very reasonably priced- you can order a larger print to frame, or smaller 4x6's to add to your scrapbook. Enjoy!
Well, the 2009 Music Boat is over and we are already gearing up for the 2010 Music Boat, hosted by Third Day! But, before we look to next year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on all of the great memories we had on the Music Boat.
First off, we would like to announce the winner of the first annual Music Boat Scavenger hunt contest is Lynn Damewood! We want to thank all of you for participating in the contest and for sharing your pictures with us! We encourage you to check out all of the fun scavenger pictures on our message boards.
I woke this morning with a bit of sadness knowing this was the final day of the Music Boat. There was so much great food, concerts, new friends, and food! Since we were at sea the entire day I took it pretty easy. I really didn't do much until lunch during which I ran into Bello who happens to be a world famous circus clown. My question is not how he does his hair, but more like how does he have the energy to actually do it like that everyday? I heard a rumor Bello might be coming to The Music Boat 2010 to perform some crazy circus tricks? Maybe walk a tight rope across the Lido deck pool filled with sharks! Later in the day I hung out with my pal Toddie Funk who plays bass for Toby Mac. He just looks so cool at all times.
Today The Music Boat made its stop in Nassau, Bahamas. We made it! All this eating and doing nothing caught up to me. I slept in and after eating breakfast rested some more. I didn't leave the ship until noon. I was surprised how it easy it was to get off the ship. The ships door opened right up to land. No shuttle boats like yesterday. I went for a tour of Nassau solo. Just me, my backpack, and camera. Once getting off the ship all of us cruisers walk through the 'Welcome Center” which opens up to the city. I just took a stroll up and down Bay Street which has all the touristy shops. I ended up picking up a bunch of sea related items (sponge, shells, star fish) for my Sponge Bob loving sons Kaden and Kyler.
I stayed up entirely too late last night, but woke up just in time for the breakfast buffet. I am talking about 4 pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and potatoes. For some reason my appetite has doubled while on the cruise. By this time the ship was stopped just outside our first stop Coco Cay. After my hefty breakfast I put on my shorts, grabbed my towel, and went to shore. So The Music Boat has its own private island called Coco Cay that was just for us for the day. The second I stepped on shore I realized I should have brought sunglasses. The sun was blinding! So I went and checked out the shopping village to look for a pair. I found the perfect sunglasses. Man did I look cool. But they only took cash and there was no ATM machines. Who brings cash to a beach?
I so couldn't sleep last night. I ended up staying up until 5am and sleeping like 3 hours. Woke up to some killer room service though. Then us "industry" folk boarded the shuttle and made our way to The Music Boat. I ran into my old Pillar boys as well the illusionist Brock Gill that I recently interviewed on the shuttle over. Brock made my nose disappear. I still can't find it! Boarding went nice and easy. They even delivered my bags to my room. The boat is huge! Its called the Monarch of the Seas. What was the first thing I did once on board....EAT! It was my first of 50 meals on this cruise. Of course I couldn't smell it. But I am sure it was good. I had a chance to meet a few of you fellow bloggers in person. The picture we took together didn't turn out good guys, sorry!
I left Tulsa, OK at 12:40pm today to make my way to Orlando, FL to board The Music Boat tomorrow! I had a "non-stop" flight to Orlando via Southwest, BUT it stopped twice!!! Once in Dallas and then in Houston. What is up with that? While I was sitting on the flight a nice lady came up to me and said, "Are you going on The Music Boat? I read your blog." I thought that was cool. See I am famous lol. So we took a picture together on the flight. I forgot her name (I am sorry). After a nice steak dinner I now sit here in my hotel room all ready for tomorrow. I will be doing a daily blog and taking pictures while on the cruise. So if you couldn't make the Music Boat this year check back to see what is going on. Start saving for 2010 now! Peace, Michael
In a matter of days we will all be chilling on a big boat and eating great food! I fly out from Tulsa, OK to Orlando this Sunday. We all know there is going to be great music on the Music Boat, but don't forget the illusionist on board. He might even make the boat disappear! While I make lots of food disappear! I want to introduce you to Brock Gill. See you all on Monday! -Kalel
Hello Brock! Thanks for taking time to do this interview. What have you been up to lately?
Lately I have been touring heavily. When I am off i get to come home and rest. And by rest I mean train for a marathon. I actually trained with my wife to run the country music marathon in Nashville. I ended up running the half marathon due to an injury that slowed me down, but auny ran the full marathon.
What inspired you to become a powerful illusionist? What illusionists have inspired you?
I was inspired to become an illusionist when I was 22 years old. I was working in a sawmill. After a few months of hard work wearing a blue collar I realized it was time to ask God what I should do with my life. I soon began to practice and study. Later I quit my job and began to perform. I have been inspired by Penn and Teller, Jeff Mcbride, John Calvert.
Can you guess which card is in my right hand?
You are holding an eleven of spades.
Who didn't dig Jar's of Clay's big hit "Flood"! I loved it. My old band Pillar actually covered a Jars of Clay tune in our early days. These guys have continued to release amazing music through the years. I've had the privilege to play many festivals with the boys of Jars of Clay, the last of which I remember them wearing very short shorts. Disturbingly short actually. I wasn't able to personally catch up with them for this interview, but I did get Matt Odmark from Jars of Clay to interview his fellow band mate Charlie Lowell on my behalf. He did a pretty good job being me. Please support Jars of Clay and check out their brand new album "The Long Fall Back To Earth" which releases this week! You can catch them online at www.jarsofclay.com. I love their new website by the way.
You already have your camera on the Music Boat to capture all the great memories with your family and friends so why not take a few more for your chance to win $400 off The Music Boat 2010 cruise!
