Post by jptheprofessor on Aug 17, 2006 15:49:36 GMT -5
It was the perfect setting for a summertime party on Lake Raystown; a weather forecast for maximum sunshine and daytime temperatures reaching near 90, and Hurricanes descending on the lake to Blues Cruise aboard the Proud Mary. Although I had live guests scheduled on Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” this Sunday, I knew this was too good a party to miss - I was there!
“Backyard Rocker” preparation work at the station delayed me from arriving at the pre-Cruise picnic until an hour before boat departure time at 4:30. Most of the food had already been put away, but some goodies were dug out of the vehicles for me to enjoy before boarding the boat.
Shortly after 4:30, the Proud Mary left dock, and the party was under way! On the top deck, Felix & the Hurricanes commenced their set of good time classic rock, blues and original tunes, while Hurricaniacs and revelers countered the heat and humidity with supersoakers and beer on tap. Ladies were busting their best dance moves in front of the Hurricanes as they performed favorites from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ted Nugent, Badfinger, John Mellencamp, Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Grateful Dead and more.
Since this Blues Cruise was sold out, the Hurricanes decided to sweeten this party by inviting some special guests along - Wood-n-Strings, who performed inside on the lower deck for revelers who wanted to stay out of the sun. I caught the latter portion of their set, as Jeremy Nelson and Dwane Edmiston finished with acoustic renditions of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” and Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.”
Back up on the top deck, the party continued with more Hurricanes rock and roll, brews, supersoakers, friendship and more. As the Cruise reached its latter stages, some guests joined the ‘Canes, including frequent flyer guest singer Loren Johnson, who crooned renditions of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” and Journey’s “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin,’” and the aforementioned Wood-n-Strings, contributing additional guitar muscle to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Blue on Black” and Grand Funk Railroad’s “I’m Your Captain.”
Other highlights along the way included the Met Life blimp passing overhead during the Cruise, and a group of young divers plunging off a large rock outcropping and into Lake Raystown.
The Proud Mary pulled back into dock at 6:30. As I had to return to Q94 to accommodate my “Backyard Rocker” guests, I quickly departed the boat while the Hurricanes’ party continued on the top deck.
Needless to say, it was an excellent time, one of those unmitigated good times that defines what summer fun in this part of the world is all about. Hats off to Felix & the Hurricanes for giving back to their fans by throwing parties like this one aboard the Proud Mary. The group was pleasantly overwhelmed by the response to this Blues Cruise, enough so that the group was looking into doing a possible sequel in August.
For those who missed this party, here is some rough digital video shot during the heat of the Blues Cruise:
www.rockpage.net/users/jprice/video/MOV08739.MPG
And a few pictures from this summertime party:
Hurricane Felix entertains during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Ladies dance on the top deck in front of Felix & the Hurricanes.
It's a party on the top deck during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Bob Watters of the Hurricanes.
Hurricaniacs and supersoakers.
More partying on the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Part of the Blues Cruise entourage: Shawn, Guv'nor Jesse, Aric, Betty and Jim.
On the lower deck, Wood-n-Strings.
Jeremy Nelson of Wood-n-Strings.
Guest Loren Johnson belts some voice during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
More Raystown revelry during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Hurricane Felix awaits a shot from the supersoaker during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Along the way, we observed some cliff divers along Lake Raystown.
Supersoakers were in abundance during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Jeremy Nelson and Dwane Edmiston - Wood-n-Strings - join in with Felix & the Hurricanes.
The top deck party continues.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
After the Proud Mary returns to dock, the Blues Cruise party continues.
More Blues Cruisin' aboard the Proud Mary.
“Backyard Rocker” preparation work at the station delayed me from arriving at the pre-Cruise picnic until an hour before boat departure time at 4:30. Most of the food had already been put away, but some goodies were dug out of the vehicles for me to enjoy before boarding the boat.
Shortly after 4:30, the Proud Mary left dock, and the party was under way! On the top deck, Felix & the Hurricanes commenced their set of good time classic rock, blues and original tunes, while Hurricaniacs and revelers countered the heat and humidity with supersoakers and beer on tap. Ladies were busting their best dance moves in front of the Hurricanes as they performed favorites from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ted Nugent, Badfinger, John Mellencamp, Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Grateful Dead and more.
Since this Blues Cruise was sold out, the Hurricanes decided to sweeten this party by inviting some special guests along - Wood-n-Strings, who performed inside on the lower deck for revelers who wanted to stay out of the sun. I caught the latter portion of their set, as Jeremy Nelson and Dwane Edmiston finished with acoustic renditions of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” and Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.”
Back up on the top deck, the party continued with more Hurricanes rock and roll, brews, supersoakers, friendship and more. As the Cruise reached its latter stages, some guests joined the ‘Canes, including frequent flyer guest singer Loren Johnson, who crooned renditions of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” and Journey’s “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin,’” and the aforementioned Wood-n-Strings, contributing additional guitar muscle to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Blue on Black” and Grand Funk Railroad’s “I’m Your Captain.”
Other highlights along the way included the Met Life blimp passing overhead during the Cruise, and a group of young divers plunging off a large rock outcropping and into Lake Raystown.
The Proud Mary pulled back into dock at 6:30. As I had to return to Q94 to accommodate my “Backyard Rocker” guests, I quickly departed the boat while the Hurricanes’ party continued on the top deck.
Needless to say, it was an excellent time, one of those unmitigated good times that defines what summer fun in this part of the world is all about. Hats off to Felix & the Hurricanes for giving back to their fans by throwing parties like this one aboard the Proud Mary. The group was pleasantly overwhelmed by the response to this Blues Cruise, enough so that the group was looking into doing a possible sequel in August.
For those who missed this party, here is some rough digital video shot during the heat of the Blues Cruise:
www.rockpage.net/users/jprice/video/MOV08739.MPG
And a few pictures from this summertime party:
Hurricane Felix entertains during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Ladies dance on the top deck in front of Felix & the Hurricanes.
It's a party on the top deck during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Bob Watters of the Hurricanes.
Hurricaniacs and supersoakers.
More partying on the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Part of the Blues Cruise entourage: Shawn, Guv'nor Jesse, Aric, Betty and Jim.
On the lower deck, Wood-n-Strings.
Jeremy Nelson of Wood-n-Strings.
Guest Loren Johnson belts some voice during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
More Raystown revelry during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Hurricane Felix awaits a shot from the supersoaker during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Along the way, we observed some cliff divers along Lake Raystown.
Supersoakers were in abundance during the Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
Jeremy Nelson and Dwane Edmiston - Wood-n-Strings - join in with Felix & the Hurricanes.
The top deck party continues.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
After the Proud Mary returns to dock, the Blues Cruise party continues.
More Blues Cruisin' aboard the Proud Mary.