Man, I am behind on doing my write-up about Cayamo 2011 (which ended less than a month ago)–and I realized how behind I was when I received the first notice today about planning for Cayamo 2012. No, I am not kidding. Part of my challenge is just trying to summarize the experience effectively. When you attend around 50 concerts in one week (out of the 120 concerts and jam sessions that occurred) you have a lot to describe. And my description cannot do it justice. So before embarking on my attempt, I will first suggest that you check out PASTE’s 10 Unforgettable Moments from Cayamo 2011 and Kim Ruehl’s recollections at No Depression as they are likely to be more insightful (I did take solace in Ruehl’s observation “Considering there are more than 125 shows scheduled for the week you’re on the music cruise, picking a Top 3 can be tough.”).
Part of the appeal to Cayamo is understandably some of the big names. But when all is said and done, my favorite shows (of the major acts) involved Buddy Miller or Patty Griffin, neither of whom were on the ship until the final three days or so. But in those days, I was astounded how many shows the two of them did (plus Songwriters in the Round).
The main part of Cayamo that keeps me coming back, however, are the artists that I discover. Here’s my list of new discoveries for 2011.
- Scott Miller
- Ellis Paul
- Keith Sewell
- Scott and Amanda Anderson
- Sebastian Steinberg
- Andy Leftwich
- Dar Williams
- The Mastersons
One person not on that list is Chuck Cannon, because I discovered Cannon last year–but I was so glad to see him back on Cayamo 2011. With any luck he and Shawn Mullins will get a chance to do their songwriting session again (last done in 2010) in 2012.
My wife and I were fortunate enough to sit next to a great husband and wife, who knew their music and were also great conversationalists. The husband, Bill Lambert, was kind enough to share some of the pictures he took and gave me permission to run some of them (from the many he posted on his Flickr account). My thanks to Bill.
(From left to right) Scott Anderson, Wendy Buckner Sewell, Keith Sewell, Andy Leftwich and Sebastian Steinberg
Scott Miller
Patty Griffin
Buddy Miller
