By Paul T. Mueller
It tends to happen with any music festival that’s been around for a few years – some fans want a new lineup every year, others want to stick to the tried and true. Cayamo, the festival-at-sea that’s about to embark on its 13th voyage, is no exception. There’s always a vigorous debate between those who love the old favorites and those ready for new blood.
This year’s Cayamo, sailing Feb. 3 from Miami, strikes a pretty good balance. Sixthman, which produces Cayamo and several other music cruises, landed some big names for first-timers, including Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, and soul legend Mavis Staples. Others making their maiden voyage include harmony-driven quintet Lake Street Dive, soul man Anderson East, rockers Deer Tick, folkie trio The Wailin’ Jennys, Western swing trio The Quebe Sisters, and singer-songwriters Amythyst Kiah (a member of Our Native Daughters), Madison Cunningham, Ashley Monroe, Logan Ledger, Ike Reilly and Grayson Capps.
Artists representing the old guard include Shawn Mullins, who’s sailed on all 12 previous Cayamos; Buddy Miller, a veteran who’s missed the boat only once; six-timer Jim Lauderdale, and three-timer Rodney Crowell. Other returnees include Hayes Carll and his wife, Allison Moorer, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Dar Williams, The Mastersons, Molly Tuttle, Over the Rhine, Steve Poltz, Raul Malo, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, and Watkins Family Hour, with former Nickel Creekers Sean and Sara Watkins.
The winners of this year’s Soundcheck competition, in which fans and passengers vote on artists to be added to the lineup, are string-based quartet Della Mae, singer-songwriter Emily Scott Robinson and genre-mixing band Them Coulee Boys. The full Cayamo 2020 lineup can be found here.
In addition to regular sets by each artist, this year’s Cayamo schedule includes such “special” shows as “Cayamo Is for Lovers,” featuring four husband-and-wife acts; a question-and-answer session with Brian Wilson and fellow Beach Boys founder Al Jardine; “Buddy Miller’s Musical Chairs,” featuring the Americana icon and, presumably, a stellar group of guests; “The Art of Memoir,” with Rodney Crowell (Chinaberry Sidewalks) and Allison Moorer (Blood), and “Sunset in Laurel Canyon: A Celebration of the ’60s and ’70s.” Also to be expected are numerous guest appearances by artists at other artists’ shows.
Ports of call for Cayamo 2020 include St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Antigua, a former British colony in the eastern Caribbean.
