Jam Cruise 8 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 3rd filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we’ve got our third Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to perform on the MSC Poesia between January 3 & 8. This installment of Jam Cruise Files features singer/guitarist/Jam Cruise Veteran Brock Butler.

Brock Butler Plays Graceland on Jam Cruise 5

Name / JC8 Gig: Brock Butler / Solo Performer
Band: Perpetual Groove
Past Jam Cruise Experience: Perpetual Groove (JC3, JC5, JC6) Solo (JC7)
2009: Solo Album – Lately Here Though, PGroove Album – Heal

Hidden Track: How much has Jam Cruise changed from your first cruise to last year’s cruise?

Brock Butler: The first year we played Jam Cruise, there was a vibe similar to going to camp–the coolest camp ever mind you. I remember not knowing a good deal of the faces I was seeing, I had been on a cruise before, so seeing the ship was fun , but watching my comrades enjoy the size and treats of our vessel was about as much fun too.

Cut to the end of the trip – you have jammed with musicians you never thought you might jam with, played blackjack with Ivan Neville and leave torn up at the realization you wont be seeing your new friends on a daily basis. After a few trips back on board, it’s just as much fun. The vibe now being more a reunion than a group of strangers, you can spot the virgins. Look on the schedule to see who you want to say hello to, if they might be up to letting you sit in again, hell, would they like to sit in with you? Any year I’m unable to go would be a heart breaker. I think that sums that up.

READ ON for more of our Jam Cruise Files on Brock Butler…

Hidden Track: What’s your favorite Jam Cruise moment?

Brock Butler: I’ll give two, because that is how great Jam Cruise  is, too many to narrow to just one. Playing in the Jam Room with Garrett Sayer and Jon Fishman. I never thought watching a Phish show 10 years prior , I would be in any circumstance where I would be sitting right next to the man playin’ away. Garrett is also a delight with whom I just did a three-day run in Colorado .

The other would be every sit in with Franti, you never know how someone will respond when you ask if they are into sit-ins. From the first time, to when he remembered me the next cruise, was a nice feeling. To feel truly invited rather than shuffled through as a chore.

HT: Are there any artists on this year’s cruise that you are especially looking forward to interacting with?

BB: I’d like to just chat with Medeski, Robert Randolph is another. Always quite a list, it’s tough to narrow it down. STS9 could be dangerous, the hull might shake clean off.

HT: Any advice for those attending the cruise for the first time?

BB: First timers , have the greatest time ever. Don’t miss the ports, ( I have before) I always end up envious of everyone’s stories and photos and wish I hadn’t been so lazy dehydrated or hungover etc. Have the greatest time of your life. See music the only way it can be seen regarding interaction of musicians and the audience. DIG IT THE MOST!

Scott Bernstein

Scott Bernstein co-founded Hidden Track in October 2006 and was managing editor until taking over as EiC in January 2008. Scotty also writes for Relix Magazine and curates YEMblog.com.

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