Rarely do people get a chance to participate in such a unique experience that is so masterfully crafted to tailor to the needs of all. This being my third year on the boat, I have had the opportunity to digest the finer points of the Jam Cruise experience. Having the opportunity to participate in all the major festivals around the country, I have an insider’s view on how truly special Jam Cruise is. Very rarely do people get such an intimate experience in the Festival scene. To mingle with the artists for 5 days puts a different face and expectation of them. They are people like all of us, lovers of music….but they just have a smidgen more talent.
There were many new faces on the boat, so I feel it is important that all you new Cruisers realize what has been built over the past eight years. Those “Repeat Offenders” are the ones’ who have helped create this special community, that anyone who comes aboard feels welcome and at home. We are all responsible for each other on the boat. We need to take this to heart, because if we are not vigilant we might lose this Jam Cruise Experience. Being in international waters does not preclude you from a certain amount of decorum and common sense. Just a friendly reminder that in order to have Jam Cruise, you need a ship to host it on.
In these trying economic times, it was good to see that Jam Cruise was sold out. I appreciated hearing stories of how some of you pinched and saved to make it a reality. I love to see the participation and enthusiasm that the “Repeat Offenders” put into your time on the boat. That even goes for all of the “Newbies”, which I hope that most of you will have the opportunity to don the hallowed “Repeat Offender” Robe next year. All I can say is Jam Cruise is an Experience that exceeds expectation. I have yet to meet a person who has thought otherwise.
Those who have been on the boat have been affected in a way that is indescribable. We walk away with a sense of spiritual fulfillment that oozes into our daily lives. To be able to see such intimate personal performances is a rare thing. One thing I have learned is appreciate more than the music is the musicians aboard. The Jam Room is the place it happens. To have artists unfamiliar with each other get on stage and seamlessly jam as though they have been playing together for years. Thank god for the tapers recording these moments in musical spontaneity for they may be confined to our mind as a hazy memory of “did that really happen.” BTW did anyone tape the Jam Room when George Porter, Jr. was hosting? I definitely need to refresh my memory on that one. Over the past few years there are two absolutes that I have found on the boat. 1) At any given moment you are where you need to be; and 2) George Porter, Jr. is always smiling.
I lost my voice on the Cruise talking to all of you Jam Cruisers, so I would like to tell you a little about Ice Cream Man. This is our story that I have retold enthusiastically countless times.
We travel the country giving away free ice cream. As simple as it seems, it is far more complex than meets the eye. A social experiment with business implications, in which we create a user driven experience, which incorporates nostalgia with goodwill. We have been lucky to do this over the past 4 years through sponsors that have accepted our marketing approach. We do not promote directly and never hardsell anything, but the sponsors become part of our story and yours. Whether it is brand name or product awareness, when you ask us we will tell you about them. Our sponsor for Jam Cruise was Curty Wurty Pops, they provided us all of those “Kick Ass Popsicles” that many of you came back for several times. I was very impressed by the positive response those got. Visit their site and see if someone nearby carries them.
We have been lucky to be associated with the Festival scene, which has provided adventures at every turn. The production companies, such as Cloud 9 gave us the opportunity to showcase our idea to you. We do thank them for taking that leap and trusting us to be a part of their family. And we do thank you for being a part of our story as well.
The only thing we ever expect from our audience/participants is a smile that ice cream brings from those long lost childhood memories rekindled on that hot day…or for that matter a rainy cool day. And maybe a photo or two. I always appreciate hearing your stories of appreciation, despite the fact that I may not remember them all after slinging over a 100,000 frozen treats. But that has always been our goal…for you to smile and have fond memories when you hear the name “Ice Cream Man.” Some of you asked how you can support us. We do sell “Ice Cream Man” merchandise that helps in our creating of this story. If you saw Tepper walking around the ship with a popsicle T-shirt, that was from us. Again, no hard sell, if you would like to support us you can check out our merchandise site.
I do need to do a little clarification about the organization of “Ice Cream Man”. I am not “THE” Ice Cream Man, but “AN” Ice Cream Man. Fortunately, I have unintentionally become the Ice Cream Man for Jam Cruise. When Cloud 9 offered us the opportunity to be on the boat, I didn’t have to think twice. Slinging ice cream on the pool deck on Jam Cruise! Just so you know my main function for Ice Cream Man is the “Director of Photography and Staffing”. In our eyes, whoever is slinging the ice cream is the Ice Cream Man or Woman. Also we do have an Ice Cream Man fan page on Facebook. But if you add “THE” Ice Cream Man, it is not me. You can find me as Crash Photog.
Last but not least I would like to thank my crew of Tom (giant man with cameras) and Nicole (Giddy-like a Jam Cruiser) Zinn, and the graceful whirling dervish we know and love as Suze Q.
Happy Jam Cruise!
CraSH
