I DON’T want to bring the mood down, but would like to start by acknowledging the death of Hugh McDonald after his courageous battle with cancer. He passed today leaving a great musical legacy.
Another sea day for day seven has stretched before us after a night partying with Beccy Cole and other artists.
Beccy headlined day six with her show in the That’s Entertainment Theatre where she was joined by the Cruisin’ Country Orchestra or, as she renamed them for the night, Sexual Chocolate, featuring her partner Libby O’Donovan on piano. I haven’t laughed so much on board as I did last night. Beccy just knows how to put on a show.
Today has been much smoother sailing which has meant I could get out and hear plenty of music. Paul Costa began the day in the Centrum with six decks of fans watching him. There was a massive line-up for the autograph session with all the artists this morning with fans meeting their favourite artists for two hours in the main restaurant. Following that I interviewed 8 Ball Aitken, The Hillbilly Goats, Lyn Bowtell, and Roo Arcus about the cruise and what they’ve got planned for the Tamworth Country Music Festival and beyond for 2017.
8 Ball then played the Centrum, which was packed and Jasmine Rae performed at the same time on the Pool Deck, which was bathed in sunshine today and the perfect setting for a show at sea.
Roo Arcus then provided the pre-dinner tunes in the Centrum and Adam Brand is headlining tonight as the end of the cruise draws closer and our thoughts turn to reality and life back on dry land… we are all going to miss our country music family.