A Word From The Country Music Cruise Executive Producer Mike Jason
It’s been over one month since we’ve returned from The Country Music Cruise 2017 and it was the party of the year for real country fans. The performances were bigger and better than ever before with Vince Gill, Charley Pride, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood and Tanya Tucker rocking our Vista Lounge. We saw some old friends that have helped us form the heart and soul of the week- Chuck Mead and Wade Hayes, Johnny Lee, and of course everyone’s favorite TV personality Lorianne Crook. We were thrilled to welcome some new music stars to the party- Moe Bandy &Joe Stampley, Jimmy Fortune, Dailey & Vincent, Syvlia, The Martin Family Circus and Jo El Sonnier who lit up every stage and every room he walked into all week. We had a Grand Ole Opry performance on Wednesday, we did two morning Gospel shows (an Elvis Tribute show and of course one hosted by The Oak Ridge Boys), a very special tribute to Merle Haggard hosted by Chuck and Wade, a bourbon tasting event hosted by Coach Barry Switzer and in an epic battle royale, Johnny Lee squared off against Moe Bandy in our version of Family Feud. We had six rooms, 50 plus performances, 25 plus artist interactive events, dancing, laughs and great friends, both old and new. Some new events were added like dueling pianos and songwriter workshops that had great crowds. All I can say is thank you; you are the greatest fans in the world. The Country Music Cruise is a labor of love for us and we deeply appreciate your support and feedback.
Next year marks our 5th anniversary and rest assured that we will be working all year to plan this event and make sure 2018 is our biggest and most special event ever. It isn’t that hard as country music artists are some of the best performers, musicians and people in the world and I am blessed to work with them on your behalf. We are on a slightly bigger Holland America ship (with 60% of our cabins already sold!) and will be bringing you Alabama, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Gilley, Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Bare, Jim Stafford, Johnny Lee, T. Graham Brown and many others.
Thank you for sailing with us and if you were unable to make it this year, we look forward to seeing you in 2018!
Mike Jason
Executive Producer