Past Passenger Wednesday

Every year I have the wonderful opportunity to produce and travel on this cruise. I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful memories I have from the past 20 years.
Each year there is always a special moment, show or event that touches my heart, but I have to say, I think that without a doubt my fondest memory is of Adele. Her sister Patricia and Patricia's husband traveled with us on our 2001 cruise. They had such a wonderful time that they decided to plan a family get together on the following year. What made this so special is that Adele was suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and this trip was for not only for Adele, but for her sisters to spend what little time she had left all together on this cruise.
Adele was a big fan of our Elvis impersonator, Stacey Wayne and Stacey went out of his way every night to find Adele in the crowd and sing to her. On our last night, Stacey made sure that Adele was on the stage with just him and he sang just to her. Not a dry eye in the place.
Adele passed right before our sailing the following year. We all took a moment to remember Adele, and Stacey dedicated his performance that night to her. We've had a few passengers over the years pass away and with the recent passing of Rob Grill from the Grass Roots, it is nice to remember that we all have these special moments in our life. Take time to stop and remember. If you've traveled with us before on this cruise, I hope you'll remember your time onboard fondly. If this is your first cruise with us, welcome to the family.
I look forward to welcoming you onboard this January!
Tammy Selee
Producer

Past Passenger Wednesday

My husband, Jim Marsella, played drums in his own band (called the "Neon Rainbow"..I think in the late 60's) while in high school in Detroit, and then went on to play in another band in local venues around the Detroit area clear up into his late 20's. Then work, marriage and children interfered and he gave up playing drums and focused on making a living and raising a family. He kept those drums for the next 20 years...moving them all over the country. A beautiful set of black Ludwig drums. Fast forward to 2006 when we went on our first "Oldies" Cruise and met Dick Richards - the 81 year old drummer for the Original Comets (from Bill Haley & the Comets fame!!!). We not only had the chance to see him in concert...we met him, and we were awe struck. Had breakfast with him, and lunch, and coffee once or twice. And he told Jim to get his drums out and "start practicing; you're never too old". And heck, Dick should know - right? So, Jim did get his drums out and started practicing.

And then, the following year on our next "Oldies" Cruise we met Tommy Scheckel, long time drummer for the Buckinghams - who were on the cruise that year and our friend, Dick Richards (Comets fame) was there too, Wow, a drummers dream, right?
Tommy Scheckel told Jim "get a coach Jim, I still take lessons". Joey D'Ambrosia, the Comets Saxophone player, told Jim the same thing, and of course Dick told him again, "Keep it up, Jim, you can do it again, you can't ignore a passion like that." Back in Phoenix and Jim is taking lessons and that really helped move him along that re-learning curve.
Now, Jim is playing in a local Doo-Wop band in Phoenix. They play for special dances and they played the stage at Harrahs Casino in Reno. He rehearses with them every Friday night. He's still working at a very challenging job so it gets hard to get that practice time in - but he does. And this past year - who is on the cruise again but Dick Richards, from the Comets - now 87 years young, and Tommy Scheckel who is now the knock-out drummer for Paul Revere and the Raiders. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing these guys on the cruises. Jim is just in heaven to get to spend time with these two drumming icons. Guys that have been playing Rock 'n Roll a long time, and Dick was there when the name Rock 'n Roll came to be. It's just awesome that they stay on the ship the whole week and they are so friendly and easy to talk to and have truly become dear friends over the years. We had them both over to the house this past February along with the rest of the band when the Comets played in Phoenix.
Isn't is just amazing that a decision to go on a cruise just 6 years ago could lead to such an amazing result? My husband, the drummer, is friends with two legendary drummers who encouraged him and supported his efforts to return to the vocation he loves. Not work. For Jim, it's a passion and he loves every minute that he sits behind those drums and these "cruisers" helped get him back to playing those drums. It's kind of like magic.

submitted by Julie Marsella

have a story or picture you'd like to share, send me an e-mail at tammy@concertsatsea.com

Keep Rockin'

Tammy Selee

Producer

Past Passenger Wednesday

The Raiderette's

We call ourselves the Raiderette's!

Paul and the band are the VERY BEST musicians ever! They are just Good People all the way around! We love them so much, that we dress like them when attending their concerts.

We will see everyone in January!

Joy Day and Lola Cord

___________________________________________________

I took the first picture when I first saw them on our cruise several years ago. I'm surprised they got to the concert on time, because everyone stopped them on their way to the theatre. Every year I receive a number of calls from passengers wanting to know what to wear on the cruise and wouldn't it just be a riot if we all showed up at Paul's concert dressed as Raider's and Raiderette's. Well, I'm not suggesting that we go to that degree, but these Raiderette's make this cruise so much fun and that is why I enjoy doing it year after year.

But, I'm not letting you all off the hook that easy, you'll certainly want to dust off your saddle shoe's, pack your Brylcreem and come dance the night away during Mike Harvey's Super Gold Sock Hop! Mike will spin the tunes to your favorite music that will take you back to cruising with your favorite gal and dancing in the "old" gym with your special guy. I have had more passengers tell me that they haven't had so much fun in years! You'll have an opportunity to dance to our live band JR & The Stingrays, or Jim and Steve's All Request Dance Party, or Jimmy Jay's Rewind Dance Party. There is something going on all the time on this "Where The Action Is" cruise!

If you have a favorite picture or story, send me an e-mail. I'd love to put it up! See you in January and by the way....invite your friends, because all this fun needs to be shared!

Tammy

Past Passenger Wednesday

My wife Patti and I were hosting the Kool 104.3 Boise, Idaho group on the legendary SS Norway in September of ’94. On the cruise that year was Bobby Vee. I had never met him or seen him in concert but was a big fan of his music. After a brief meeting the first night on the ship at dinner, Bobby turned out to be everything I had hoped for ... over-the-top friendly and that has turned into a longtime friendship with the Armstrong family.
Next day Patti and I decide to explore the ship. We were on the top deck near the back of the ship, turned the corner and there’s Bobby with his canvas and water colors painting a seascape … and it was great! We asked about his interest in art and he explained that if it wasn’t for music he wanted to be a painter. WHO KNEW?!?! So, I figured “what have I got to lose?” so asked him what he does with his painting. He said he usually just throws them away. “It’s just good therapy ... very relaxing” he told us. I then went for the kill … “I’d love to have a Bobby Vee original to hang in my office”. He was very polite and said something to the effect of “Well, I’ll see what I can do”. Thanked him for his time and Patti and I continued on with our journey of getting lost on the ship.
Now, fast forward 5 months later. UPS shows up at our house with a box from Minnesota. What? We weren’t expecting anything from Minnesota. We opened the box … AND THERE IT WAS!!! The very same picture he painted on the SS Norway … framed, matted and autographed. A Bobby Vee original water color painting, in my house and I’m holding it!!! LIVE IS GOOD!!
But I find out a year or so later that it’s even better. Talking with Bobby’s son Jeff … “Dad NEVER lets his pictures get out. Me and my brothers don’t even have a painting by dad!!” WOW, WOW, WOW. Not only do I have a Bobby original but now it’s pretty much exclusive!
I hold this painting near and dear to my heart and it’s my #1 piece of rock and roll memorabilia. It’s hanging in my office, look at it every day and think how lucky Patti and I were to get lost on the ship and run into Bobby.
This is just a brief example of how the Oldies Cruise performers over the years have embraced the fans and spend time talking and reminiscing about the good old days.
By the way … painting is not for sale. Thanks for asking though ……….

Jack Armstrong
Oldies Cruise Host and MC

It's past passenger Wednesday

Here is some of the fun you will have joining us on the Concerts At Sea cruise!!! One of the highlights of the cruise are the dance nights that take place during the cruise. You just can't help it once those great songs start coming through the speakers and you get a group of friends out on the dance floor! Here we are rockin' to some great music...Cruise Daddy and his lovely wife Delores, Larry and Diane, Jimmy Jay's wife Joanne, and yours truly...my wife Julie must have been taking the picture! There is always room on the dance floor for more people...so what are you waiting for...sign up and join the fun!!!! Submitted by 6 Time Concerts At Sea Cruiser Jim Marsella of Laveen, Arizona

Have a picture you'd like to share, send to me view e-mail at tammys@harmontravel.com

Keep Rockin'

Tammy

Past Passenger Wednesday

Here we are and I'm faking the Lucille Ball look and Bill is the hard core car guy! I just know we are having a blast with friends and did some dancing after one of the great concerts onboard.

Boy have we come a long way from the early days of traveling with 8 suitcases and shoes for every occassion. We just change a few things and have a blast with returning friends to the Oldies Cruise. The ship doesn't have to move, IT JUST ROCKS!

Love it all, that is why we have done 9 of these awesome "theme" cruises!!! Just ask me, Bill and Linda Slupe

Have a picture or story you'd like to share. Just send me an e-mail at tammys@harmontravel.com

Past Passenger Wednesday

It's Past Passenger Wednesday, and I've had some great responses from everyone that think this is a great idea. I know, it's just not Vegas; we also keep our word that what happens on the cruise stays on the cruise. Honestly, I don't think most of your kids or grandkids would believe all the fun we're having.

I couldn't find a picture from our very first cruise, I know we had a 1st one because I have the t-shirt. But this photo is our 2nd cruise which would have been September of 1995 on the SS Norway. I see some of our passengers in this photo that are already booked for 2012. We must be doing something right if they keep coming back after this many years.

I know some of you have heard this story, but our small beginnings started with Bob Harmon's long time client, Paul Revere. He had started doing "theme" cruises with NCL and as I was walking to my car from the office when Bob and Paul stopped me and said.."you really should get a group together and come on these cruises". The first year I did a direct mail piece to our clients and some newspaper ads in the local paper. The first year we sailed with ZERO. Not one person.

Next time I saw this Paul Revere fellow, I was going to tell him that his and Bob's idea was a total bust. Well, Paul was so helpful and told me to get in touch with the local "oldies" station in Boise. I sent "Big Jack" at KOOL Oldies a fax and spelled out what I wanted to do. Well KOOL Oldies 104.3 jumped onboard and the first year we had 80 passengers.

Things were going pretty good, until NCL was sold and the new parent company no longer thought theme cruises were a good idea. Well, not knowing any better, Bob Harmon and I decided that we could do this. Our first year was a little shacky with the event of September 11, 2001, but we stuck with it, and have been going ever since.

The most rewarding thing that has really come out of doing this cruise is the amazing friends we have made. Many of you have really become like family, attending graduation parties, weddings and baby showers. We really look forward to seeing everyone every year, and if you miss a year, we know we'll see you next time.

Our group has grown a little to large for a group photo, but I'd love to post some of your photo's and your memories of past cruises. Just send me an e-mail at tammys@harmontravel.com

Keep Rockin'

Tammy Selee