Delbert McClinton
Delbert . . . now the Grammy Award winning Delbert . . . did three
shows during the week, plus found the time and energy to do vocals and a
little harmonica playing with the Derailers, Marcia Ball, during the Songwriters
session . . . . almost anywhere, anytime. After a year of touring to
support Nothing Personal, it was amazing to see him do so much on
the cruise! Personally 
I think I would have kicked back a whole lot more and just relaxed . .
. but Delbert is a gracious host (along with his wife Wendy and the crew
from Entertainment Travel) to his 700 or so guests . . . and
does his best to make sure we are having a wonderful time.
Delbert's band -- Todd Sharp (guitar), George Hawkins (bass), Terry Townson
(trumpet), Don Wise (sax), Kevin McKendree (piano), and Lynn Williams (drums)
-- are a crack group that not only backed Delbert, but in different combinations
worked with Jimmy Hall, Gary Nicholson, and at various and sundry jams all
week. And during Delbert's sets he gave them all a chance to stretch out
and do some of their own material - particularly Todd and Don who both have
solo projects to support.
Of course the last night's final show is Delbert's . . . but it always
evolves into a pretty free form performance, with virtually everyone taking
a turn on some song or other . . . one big party on stage as much as on the
pool deck . . . a fitting end to an incredible week!
