Never had a home like this, never had to think twice, always knew my home was in paradise- Home Again, The Disco Biscuits
I know a place called paradise, and Ive been theretwice.
You ever slam dunk a basketball something so perfectly that you and your teammates high five each other running back to the other end of the court smiling and saying great shot?
Thats how we felt after Caribbean Holidaze last week.
For all who are unfamiliar with our event, we charter two all-inclusive resorts, Breezes & Hedonism 3 in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, for a week, build a professional size stage on the beach, and throw an intimate but over the top music festival. Along with our dear friends the Disco Biscuits & Umphreys McGee, plus a few other outstanding artists, we take a music lovers dream come true to a whole new level.
Now, if any of you know me, obviously Jam cruise is the love of my life. However, there is something about sitting by the beach all day and seeing shows starting at 10:00pm that is delightful. But thats not all. Toubab Krewe traveled to a girls orphanage where music and dancing echoed off the ceilings, while boxes of donated clothes were presented to them. Aron Magner played in a pool volleyball game. Brendan Bayliss ran up and down the courts in his 2nd annual tennis tournament. Three out of four days had illustrious theme nights, where participation was rampant!
The Biscuits and Umphreys each play close to 3 full shows. Heres the best part, and this info isnt just coming from my personal observations. Each band played close to one of their greatest shows ever. Jake Cinniger told me that they walked out on stage, looked at each other and said, Lets do it. Brownie told me that each of them let go of every single inhibition and became a musical force of four individuals molded into one for three straight hours. For the record, I haven’t seen Barber that happy in a long time. He was dancing and jumping around on stage with a sense of freedom and complete satisfaction.
Lemme tell ya, its just that kinda place. And as I am writing, I am listening to the Biscuits, Home Again. When you arrive in Jamaica, the locals welcome you home. We feel that. All 800 of us: bands, fans and staff alike. Its the most comfortable place to live under palm trees, below blue skies, in warm ocean water, all while dancing with no shoes on, toes crimping the sand, in awe that this is real, this is a place each and every one of us know truly the best.
There was a moment that I had at about 1:00pm on the last day by the pool at Breezes. I looked around me, Ryan Stasik was in the pool on a pink floatie, Dee Herman & Dan Berkowitz were horsing around in front of me, Andy Bernstein, Scott Cohen, Jenni Kleinbaum and about 7 other close friends were hanging out under a little cabana. I became instantly introspective, almost tearful with gratitude. Here, some of the most important people in my life, were all together by the pool in Jamaica. Nothing much was going on except relaxing and spending time with one another. There were no expectations, no cell phones, no traffic, no computers, just quality hang time. I looked around; pondering how important this was for me, for them, for all of us combined. Weve all been pals for 10 years, but the older we get, the most exclusive our lives become. Its not on purpose; its just the nature of being busy. But at that moment, for that week, we were one, a collective energy of past, present and future friendship. It was truly special.
Throughout the week, everywhere I turned, people told me, this is the best vacation of my life, or Cloud 9 throws the best parties. The comments were frequent and enthusiastic. Makes me feel so good knowing that I can put my heart and soul into something so powerful that people, who have had years and years of fun at shows, can make such bold statements.
Anyway, I could go on and on. Ill share some photos so you can visualize my happiness. And I am beyond proud to share this with you: WE ARE GOING BACK FOR CARIBBEAN HOLIDAZE 3. December 10-14, 2009 we once again will light up our lives. Pre-booking begins January 20, 2009. Please join us on the path to musical perfection.
Annabel Lukins - Both Sides of the Rail 1
- All
- Andy Miller - Real True Confessions With Padre Pienbique
- Annabel Lukins - Both Sides of the Rail
- Brian Levenson - Head Games
- Brian Robbins - The Maine Line
- David Steinberg - Some Are Mathematicians
- Dean Budnick - From the Editor
- Fady Khalil - Hiding From Band Practice
- Jesse Jarnow - Brain Tuba
- John Zinkand - Improvise
- Mike Gruenberg - In My Life
- Randy Ray - Peaches En Randalia
- Taraleigh Weathers - The Sunny Side of the Scene
Home Again (On Holidaze)
News
Archive- Dr. Dog Preview First New LP in Six Years with Feel-Good Single “Talk Is Cheap” and Official Music Video
- The Head And The Heart Plot 2024 Summer Tour
- Listen: Unheard Johnny Cash Album ‘Songwriter’ Slated for Release, with Preview Single “Well Alright”
- Experience Hendrix Tour Returns for 20th Anniversary: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Johnson, Samantha Fish, Taj Mahal and More
- Pearl Jam, Neil Young with Crazy Horse to Headline 2024 Ohana Festival
- Outside Lands Announces 2024 Artist Lineup: Tyler, The Creator, The Killers, Sturgill Simpson and More
- Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule Pay Tribute to Dickey Betts at SweetWater 420 with Allman Brothers Band Classics
- Suwannee Roots Revival Reveals 2024 Artist Lineup: Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan Band and More
Most Popular
- Grateful Dead Release 16 Previously Unheard Outtakes, Alternate Versions and Mixes of “Scarlet Begonias,” “Ship Of Fools,” “China Doll” and More
- Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Announce Fall 2024 Tour Dates
- Warren Haynes, Bill Kreutzmann, Devon Allman and More Share Tributes to Dickey Betts
- Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Announce National Television Debut on ‘CBS Saturday Sessions’
- Lettuce Expand 2024 Tour Schedule: John Scofield, Ziggy Marley, BISCOLAND and More
- Phish Dive Deep for Night Two at Las Vegas’ Sphere
- Phil Lesh & Friends to Perform at San Francisco’s The Warfield in May
- Widespread Panic Offer Up Classics on Night Three of Panic en la Playa Doce
No Comments comments associated with this post