(Is a little Yacht Rock music)

I recently attended the Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival in Louisville, (pronounced Bourbon-ville) Kentucky that is advertised as the biggest bourbon and music festival in the world. Combining bourbon and music is like the greatest idea ever. At the festival 50,000+ of my best friends and I saw some amazing shows to include the living legend Ringo Starr singing classic Beatle’s songs, Jack White rocking the world, Lumineers touching the soul, and Khruangbin (I really don’t know how its pronounced) bringing some epic lounge jazz psychedelic funk. Khruangbin just happens to be my daughter’s favorite band, which means my early influence in her musical tastes as documented in one of my first blogs (Madison Buzzards in the Sky) remain today.

But I only saw these great bands once during that memorable weekend, I did however see one band three times, and each time they were fantastic. So, who was this renowned band that kept bringing me (and a lot others) back every day? None other than the famous California band, Yachtley Crew, a Yacht Rock tribute/cover band. Yes, you heard me right. A tribute band playing “Yacht Rock” covers. I have chosen this moment to come out as a fan of the Yacht Rock music genre, consequences be damned. I am sure all of my Alternative and Americana music friends are in shock, as was my wife, I am sorry if you felt I misled you, please forgive me. I still like those genres, but of late I have been listening to a lot of Yacht Rock and have made my own play list with over 90 of my favorites Yacht Rock songs because apparently, I just can’t get enough.

For those unfamiliar with this music genre, it can be best described as 70’s soft rock.  Think Doobie Brothers, America, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Steely Dan, Chicago, Hall and Oates, Gerry Rafferty, and Chris Cross to name just a few. This genre typically has undertones of Rhythm and Blues and often a horn section, to include a saxophone, and the lyrics are almost always nostalgic, sentimental, and centered around unrequited love. It’s the type of music that has you tapping your feet and singing along, even though you don’t know the words. If you picked one word to describe this music it would be cheesy, and I love it. My dear wife rolls her eyes every time I put on my Yacht Rock playlist which I named “Boat Show” TM.

The tribute band (pictured above) dressed in matching blue coats, white sailor shirts and pants, and cheap Captain hats, and played one big Yacht Rock song after another. And they played each song way over the top fully knowing they were in on the joke, but so was the crowd, and they didn’t care. When they played Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty, there were several long saxophone solos, and their saxophone player snuck into the crowd and belted out the solos with his wireless saxophone, and the crowd went wild, and well so did I.

Afterwards, I got to thinking why did I, a long-time aficionado of Alternative and America music, as well as millions of Americans, suddenly get infatuated with this music genre? I think it’s because it harkens back to a simpler time. The lyrics are rife with hints of escapism and optimism, and the sound is smooth, bringing a life is good vibe. It reminds us of a time with less hate, less worries, and more fun. Before social media echo chambers, divisive partisan politics, and school shootings. When the dollar went further, everyone had healthcare and defined pension plans, and America represented good in the world. To quote Supertramp from the song Goodbye Stranger, “I’ll never look behind me, my troubles will be few.” That sums up Yacht Rock pretty well.

So, I beg you, put down your phone for a minute, close all of your social media, and put on some Yacht Rock music, it will be good for your soul. And if you don’t know where to find it (Yacht Rock music that is), I have a playlist on Amazon Music just for you.

Boat Show Playlist On Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/2165f11d1dde42258c3a2cd838afeedfsune?ref=dm_sh_f659-ac0d-fed3-a4db-b0e78

Yachtley Crew website: https://www.yachtleycrew.com/