Well here we are, the last night of the first Sailing Southern Ground cruise. Because there are so many things going on every day simultaneously in different areas all over the ship, and you can only be in one place at a time, I imagine everyone will come away with their own unique experience of the cruise. Your overall experience of it may overlap in places with others, but there are also moments that are just your own. For me as a Sixthman employee, time rather runs together during a cruise into one long continuum of talking with guests, watching over things, problem solving and trying to think of new and different ways to create special moments for folks that will last a lifetime. Thus, there aren’t that many free moments during the cruise left for reflection.

But me being me, I can’t help but reflect back to the beginning. On the very first day, which seems like a long time ago, but I guess was just this past Thursday, Zac and the band got together on the Lido Deck stage to raise a glass to everyone present and the journey on which we were all about to embark. During his toast, Zac mentioned that he hoped everyone on board would enjoy the ZBB shows but also check out some of the other artists on board that they might not have had the pleasure of having heard yet. He said that he hoped everyone would be open to something new and let the music touch their hearts. If I remember correctly, he might have even used the phrase, “heal your hearts.” Then Zac and the boys launched into the first set of the cruise as we sailed away from Tampa and out into open water.

Fast forward a couple of days to Saturday, when I once again found myself on the Lido Deck watching a sail-away show. This time the artist was Michael Franti and Spearhead performing as we left from the port in Grand Cayman. Though Michael and Spearhead have been making influential and inspiring records for a long time, for many of ZBB’s country music fans, this was their first exposure to the group. And boy was it incredible. They began the show by coming out onto the deck from an entrance on the far side, across the pool from the stage. While playing the first song, they walked across the deck towards the stage, serenading those in their path along the way up close and personal while the rest of us danced to the amplified sounds. Michael even got into and out of two hot tubs and the pool with his guitar, while playing and singing, without missing a beat. For the entire show, the band performed with this incredible energy, radiating such joy through their performance that everyone on that deck could feel it. Folks were up and dancing, clapping and waving their arms overhead, singing songs about the sound of sunshine, love, unity, tolerance and acceptance.

During the show I personally was also caught up dancing and clapping, singing and sweating beneath the hot summer sun. But it struck me afterwards that that was exactly what Zac had talked about on the first day; what he said he hoped would happen on his cruise. For in that moment, during that set, folks from all different backgrounds and musical tastes, who might not ever have considered listening to a hip-hop troubadour band, were united by music, celebrating life through song. In these days when differences are so often treated with derision as a source of division, what a gift it was to witness the healing power of music. I hope it was one of the moments that overlapped for a lot of folks on board. But even if it didn’t, moments like that get spun into stories that spread and weave their own kinds of connections.

So in the end, I guess what I’m trying to say about Zac Brown Band’s first Sailing Southern Ground cruise is, it was indeed, incredibly & intentionally, all about the music.

-Sonia

Blog by Tiff Green:

I don’t use this word… ever.  So when I felt compelled to tell Michael Franti and Spearhead how EPIC their Lido Deck Sail Away show from Grand Cayman (yes Rock Boaters- it DOES exist) was today, I knew the minds of thousands on the Lido Deck were also absolutely blown.  Lets run down a quick checklist of awesomeness, shall we?

-Enter your show by running through the Promenade with your full band, up the Atrium, and through the back entrance of the Lido Deck: Check!

-Decide that you will start your show… in the hot tub: Sure! Why not.

-Bridge over the pool? Could it be the perfect stage?: Indeed… it was.

-Confetti cannons during the new hit radio single?  Yep- that happened.

-Uniting the Sailing Southern Ground Zamily under the blistering Caribbean sun today for one heck of an experience none of us will ever forget? Bingo.

Thanks to that incredible show, Rasta Day is in full gear around our floating Southern celebration! As I type, we’re preparing for another four hour Zac Brown Band experience in the main lounge, Bob Marley Live Band Karaoke with Sixthman favs Oakhurst, shows running all around this ship until the break of dawn, and our staff is sporting custom Sixthman Rasta T-Shirts. Life is indeed good today, friends.

The first day of Sailing Southern Ground is behind us, and, while we’re always a little trepidatious about a new cruise, its clear we were wasting time worrying.

The vibe here is incredible. I can’t help but smile walking the decks. And, I’m pretty sure that the party lasted well after my 2 a.m. bedtime, based on the stories I’ve been lucky enough to overhear. (Eavesdropping may not be honorable, but the benefits in this situation are too great a temptation.)

Sixthman is celebrating its 25th charter on Sailing Southern Ground. Yay, Sixthman! I’ve been around for 19 or 20, if my memory serves me right (it usually doesn’t, as most people who know me for 5 minutes will confirm.) I was talking with some of the members of the Dirty Guv’nahs band last night, and after telling them about how many cruises we’ve done, one of them responded, “I was going to ask you what bands you were interested in seeing, but you must hate music at this point.”

I laughed, especially since I just got to sit in on the Wood Brothers show, which completely knocked my socks off. It filled me up in the best possible way. It never gets old, and its awesome that we get to have a taste of what (I hope) our guests are experiencing all day every day. If they feel even a little bit of the rush I got last night, then all of our jobs are 110% worth it, to say the least.

I’m glad to be here, and think there’s not a more fitting artist to be celebrating with than Zac Brown. But that’s a whole other blog.

I’m really excited to be joining the Zac Brown Band

This cruise is a new experience for me, as most of the acts will be from the Country and Roots Americana music world, which I have not been exposed to that much.  It is a new experience for fans from that world to hear our blend of funk, reggae, folk, rock and hip hop.

I’ve always gotten to know all our fans up close and being on the boat is a great way to meet, hang out, and enjoy good times together.  So, thanks to all the fans who will are attending, and if you didn’t make it this year, I hope to see you sailing the seas next time! ~ Michael

Aaaand… WE’RE OFF! We JUST pulled away from Tampa port and started out journey to Grand Cayman. We’re all hoping for great weather, but we KNOW we’ll have great music, great food, and great company on Sailing Southern Ground.

The vacation began with Zac Brown Band taking a photo with every single guest as they boarded. Now Chef Rusty is handing out some delicious shrimp fritters on the Lido Deck, and our Sail Away party will begin shortly with some free Landshark beer for every guest, followed by an incredible live show featuring our gracious host, Zac Brown Band. I won’t ramble on about how much fun we’re going to have, because I don’t want those of you who couldn’t make it to feel left out. I’ll just say that it’s awesome to be starting another cruise season.

It has been four months since we last sailed, and everyone is excited to get back out there. This is Sixthman’s 25th full ship charter, and we’ll work out butts off to make it the best so far. You’ll be hearing from all the other team members about the trip, so keep your eyes out on the blog to see what you’re missing, and what you could be a part of in the future!

Team is a word that gets used a lot in reference to athletics to describe a group of people who work and sweat together towards a common goal.  It’s also a word that I happen to believe remains hollow until the people it’s being used to describe give it meaning through their collective actions.

I come from a music background, so when I think of a team, I think about a band. Since most of you have probably seen a few or played in a band or two yourselves, you might be able to relate. When a band works together to make music, they can create the most sublime sounds; something that no individual member could have done on his or her own; a song that resonates and communicates and inspires; magic. To do this requires both trust and humility. Trust, in that each of you believes that the others will support you as you stumble and soar; and humility, to know that you are no more nor less important than the rest of the group so that you don’t go chasing suns and forget that ego is the end of everything (think David Lee Roth and Van Halen.)

I think the same philosophy applies to other kinds of teams as well. If you don’t have faith that someone on your team will catch you if you fall, you won’t try to push boundaries and innovate for fear that in reaching for the impossible you’ll land flat on your face.  Similarly, if you hold yourself above other people or positions and spend all your time looking down on those around you, that’s probably the only direction you’ll ever travel in. Either way, a team that operates without trust and humility has no shot at making magic.

Teams are a big part of our culture at Sixthman.  From the conception of cruises to ferreting out the ghosts in the machines, there are a lot of different teams in the office working towards their individual goals. Which is why, last week it was pretty great to experience everyone in the office, who all had to-do lists a mile long for their respective teams, drop everything to come together as one Sixthman team. When we launched the 311 Caribbean cruise pre-sale and sign up, we had an incredible response and needed all hands on deck to take care of everyone who responded. From the guys in IT coming up with creative solutions and multiple back-up plans, to even our CEO jumping in to help answer phone calls and live chats, we worked as a team, trusting that we each had each other’s backs and knowing that we were all vital to the success of the launch.  It was a fast and furious flurry of days, but through a lot of extra hours and teamwork, we all, as Sixthman, soared.

You may have heard that we are bringing back an oldie, but a goodie.  Our friends Barenaked Ladies, took 2010 off from cruising to work solely on their music.  And now they are back with a bang.  They recently released All in Good Time, their first record as a four person ensemble.  And they are preparing to sail the high seas on Ships and Dip 4.

Why 4, you may ask?  We sailed on I and III and V. What’s the deal with 4? Well our official company line is:  Just for funzies.  And, because we all know that Barenaked Ladies will be just as amazing as a four piece as they were when they had five.  Steven Page left on good terms as he was pursuing a different type of career, and now we’re going to celebrate 4 members on cruise number 4 and get down 4 times as much.

To be the radical 4th Ships and Dip cruise that we know it will be, we need your help.  First, other than a 4 piece band, what else should involve the number 4?  We’ve been brainstorming a few ideas of our own, but we want to hear some creative ideas from the hard and true fans.  And secondly, what’s the one thing you’ve never seen on Ships and Dip (aside from your favorite artists), that you’d like to see on number 4?  Is it a wing eating contest?  An ice sculpture?  No matter how crazy the idea, we want to hear it!  We’re giving the power to the people.  Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Your SND Warrior,

Lisa

We want to be connected.

In order to have a connection, we need a medium through which the connection flows. It’s no different than electricity needing metal in order to conduct.

Music is a medium. I am a freak about having music playing in the background at home, especially during hectic times of day. I used to believe that music just distracted the part of our brain that instigated tension but I am convinced that the music is just acting as the medium for us to share space & connect.

It’s a sensory stimulus that reminds us we are in the same space together and conducts a connection between us.  Tonight when you get home, put on some music instead of mindless television or silence and see if you notice this effect.

-Andy

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This is a big goal for Sixthman.  It helps us prove, not only to ourselves, but to the world, that where there is a passionate community of people, there is also an opportunity to help them LIVE LOUD in a unique way.

Here’s how we’re getting in shape for this awesome new event!

Sixthman Workout Plan – Sixthman TV

Have a great weekend everybody!

-Mike

My first business venture was called “Bagels on Wheels” when I was 16.

I thought I could get people to sign up to get bagels and donuts delivered to their house on Saturday morning. I couldn’t get one customer to sign up. The idea was so bad that I didn’t have to waste months trying to make it work.

My second business venture was my college band “Waterdog.” We worked hard but were just average. The challenge was that we would experience occasional victories that made us believe we might be on the right path to success. It wasn’t until 4 years had passed that we realized we were still in the same place that we were when we started.

Sure, we had a great time; I guess if you are ever going to be average, then let it be while you are in a college rock band.

However, being average in your business or your relationships wastes everyone’s time. Who hasn’t stayed at a job or a relationship because it wasn’t horrible but average?

The fog of Average is confusing and makes it more difficult to see that you are either missing an opportunity to improve them or move on to something else.

Seth Godin calls this “the dip” in one of his books about knowing when to quit vs. when to stick it out.

So please, beware of Average and thank Horrible for not wasting more of your time.

My first kiss was with a girl who is ended up being a Nun.

How is that for “Horrible”?

-Andy

photo source