“The cultural history of Mississippi and Ohio excursion boats reveals that these large, antiquated, heavily symbolic vessels stimulated enchanting visions of graceful harmony with the forces of nature, illusions of masterful control over the river’s destructive power and over social and political currents that periodically disturbed the nation’s public life.”
Thank you Gary! I'm not sure what's going on with ship bands now - I haven't been on one since my last ship gig some time around 1998. I know that Carnival did away with the show bands years ago. When I was working, they also had a piano bar and cover bands (usually 2-3 players). I assume that some of the lines marketing to an older crowd still have live bands.
Excellent writing, very interesting! I wonder what the present day story is about music on cruise ships?
Thank you Gary! I'm not sure what's going on with ship bands now - I haven't been on one since my last ship gig some time around 1998. I know that Carnival did away with the show bands years ago. When I was working, they also had a piano bar and cover bands (usually 2-3 players). I assume that some of the lines marketing to an older crowd still have live bands.