EXCITING NEWS!! Laura and Bill to perform again on Delta Queen

Laura and Bill at the piano in the Delta Queen's Orleans Room.

Well, it’s official. Laura and I will be headed back to the Delta Queen to perform for a limited engagement from November 25 through December 18. So make your plans now to come to Chattanooga to visit us and the Delta Queen. Give yourself a gift this holiday season! Make your reservations soon at www.deltaqueenhotel.com.

We will be performing in the Texas Lounge and for some holiday parties in the Orleans Room. We’ve taken the Holiday Show we wrote for the Mississippi Queen a few years ago and customized it with a special Delta Queen flair. I’ll keep you posted with more details soon.

We are so excited to be going back to the Delta Queen. Even though in the last year we have toured across the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, the Delta Queen remains so special in our hearts and we love performing there.

Our love affair with the river, riverboats, and the Delta Queen runs very deep. After working on the riverboats for a decade, we were honored to be asked to appear as special headline entertainers for the Delta Queen’s 2008 farewell cruising season and to write a special musical show about the boat’s fascinating history. That labor of love also yielded an audio CD entitled Delta Queen: A Musical Journey which we are very proud to have recorded. You can hear track samples of that CD by clicking here. Bill also recorded an audio history of the boat entitled The Life and Times of the Steamboat Delta Queen which recounts the fascinating adventures of the boat’s dramatic career. We also coordinated a series of celebration events for every 2008 port of call to join with those cities to celebrate the Delta Queen’s career and her long history docking in those ports. Wonderful crowds gathered along the river to pay their respects. We did dozens and dozens of print, radio, and television interviews. I even shared the boat’s story on National Public Radio, CNN, and ABC television’s “Good Morning, America.” It was an amazing year. After the last cruise ended in Memphis, we rode her down to New Orleans for their tribute event and then helped to prepare her for lay-up and an uncertain future.

Us on the Delta Queen Grand Staircase

It was an incredible experience sharing the magic of river travel with the wonderful Delta Queen passengers, working with the incredible Delta Queen crew and talented entertainers. We all became a special kind of family living aboard together. Despite the heartache and sadness of that last cruising season, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I was thrilled to hear that instead of rotting and being forgotten that the boat had been leased to serve as a hotel in Chattanooga. At least she would be cared for and open to the public. And there are few prettier places than the Tennessee River as it loops through the beautiful bluffs of downtown Chattanooga’s lovely waterfront.

I was honored be invited to accompany the Delta Queen on her final voyage as she was relocated from New Orleans to Chattanooga. It was an incredibly special and emotional experience to realize I was a part of likely the last overnight steamboat trip in American history. Videographer extraordinaire Eric Hadley (a former riverboat entertainer and cruise director turned incredible filmmaker) and I were contracted to produce a documentary film chronicling this historic journey and highlighting the history of this amazing vessel. Fellow Delta Queen historian Karen “Toots” Maloy joined us in recounting the tales of the boat’s history as we shot dozens of hours of incredible footage which Eric and I ultimately edited down into a one-hour film. It’s one of the creative projects in my life of which I am most proud. With an array of more pressing startup expenses to focus on, almost a year and a half later, Delta Queen Hotel (which owns the rights to the finished film) has yet to produce the DVD and make it available to the public. Someday!

Laura and I then were contracted by Delta Queen Hotel’s previous operator Sydney Slome to develop and provide entertainment programming for the boat’s first summer season open as the Delta Queen Hotel docked in Chattanooga. We had a wonderful four months in Chattanooga. Performing on the Delta Queen is a real thrill. Oh, to play and sing up in the Texas Lounge with that history all around you and the beautiful view of the river. Or to do our mainstage shows on that cozy wonderful stage down in that magical Orleans Room, where so much happiness has occurred, it just permeates the room! Or to do my Riverboat Gambler card magic act onboard the last operating overnight steamboat in U.S. history — it just doesn’t get much cooler than that!

And so, as you can see, our relationship with this grand old lady – the Delta Queen – is deep and rich. We love the boat, its history, its alumni crew, and its previous guests. We hope to share a bit of all of that again with you soon on the Delta Queen this holiday season. Please come and join us! We’ll see you in Chattanooga!

 

BIG NEWS!! Delta Queen Hotel has new owners

The Delta Queen at night

Leah Ann and Randy Ingram have purchased the charter rights of the Historic Delta Queen and full operational control of the Delta Queen Hotel. They will be a positive and dynamic force for the Delta Queen as they are both travel industry experts and also own All Aboard USA, a group tour and motor coach transportation company based in Chattanooga.

Leah Ann worked for years with the Delta Queen coordinating motorcoach transportation for airport transfers and shore tours in many ports of call. She is enthusiastic, delightful, and immensely energetic. She loves the Delta Queen dearly and will be a guiding light, protective guardian, and passionate advocate for the boat. The Ingrams are savvy businesspeople with a clear and detailed understanding of the boat’s potential as a hotel. They have many group contacts and excellent marketing skills. I will keep you posted as some of their exciting new plans develop.

We were contracted to perform onboard for the summer of 2009 with previous operator Sydney Slome as the boat opened as a boutique hotel in Chattanooga. We certainly acknowledge his role in making sure the Delta Queen has been cared for and open to the public for all to enjoy her special history and the unique experience of dining, enjoying entertainment, and staying aboard overnight. Without the commitment of Mr. Slome, and now Leah Ann and Randy Ingram, the Delta Queen could easily have ended up tied off at some remote dock, rotting away lost and forgotten to the American public. Although we wish she could have cruised forever, she at least has a beautiful home in Chattanooga and is loved and open for us all to enjoy. Go visit the Delta Queen soon!

 

Happy Birthday, Delta Queen!

Delta Queen in Chattanooga

The grand old lady of the river turns 83 today. Isn’t it amazing? Her first cruise was June 2, 1927! And she ran America’s rivers for more than 81 years. If you traveled on her, go to Chattanooga and visit her. If you never had the chance, then go and experience this very special place. Visit www.deltaqueenhotel.com for more info.

 

Delta Queen Christmas Cards

As the holidays creep up on us, many of us flash back to wonderful holiday memories on the river. Well, with no riverboats running this holiday season, at least you can retain a bit of that wonderful nostalgia in your Christmas cards.

A true Delta Queen legend, Karen “Toots” Maloy has developed a lovely series of handmade Delta Queen Christmas Cards. I thought these were so cute, I just had to put a link here on the blog. If you’d like to see all the available colors and variations, to visit her website, click here.

Of course, for a great holiday gift idea, don’t forget the musical CD Laura and I produced that musically chronicles the boat’s amazing history. To listen to samples of the CD, click here.

 

Another Congressional Effort Defeated

Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana

This morning, Congressman Baron Hill introduced an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, H.R. 3619, regarding the necessary exemption for the Delta Queen to resume cruising.  In order for the amendment to reach the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during consideration of the larger bill, H.R. 3619, the House Rules Committee needed to find the amendment germane and in order.  Unfortunately, when the Rules Committee met this afternoon they stated that the amendment was not made in order.  In response, Hill issued the following statement:

“This decision by the Rules Committee is simply one decision.  I am going to pursue other paths for getting the necessary exemption and seeing the Delta Queen back on the Ohio River.  While I’m disappointed with the decision, I’m going to keep fighting.”

To read Congressman Hill’s press release, click here.

Special thanks to Rep. Hill for his efforts. He had stated, “My perspective on the Delta Queen and its safety has evolved significantly. After speaking with various officials and the former captain of the Delta Queen, I am convinced it should cruise again.  To that end, I have introduced this amendment with the full intent of seeing this through until the Delta Queen is back on the Ohio River.  The Delta Queen is not only historically significant, but is a job creator and economic boon to the areas along its route.”

To read his release about his support of the Delta Queen, click here.

A couple of interesting notes about the Rules Committee’s decision not to allow Rep. Hill’s amendment:

The Rules Committee is a group of 13 representatives who wield the incredible power of deciding what amendments will be allowed to be attached to legislations. Those 13 members include:

Rules Committee Members:
Chairwoman Louise M. Slaughter (New York)
James P. McGovern (Massachusetts)
David Dreier (California)
Alcee L. Hastings (Florida) 
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Florida)
Doris O. Matsui (California)  
Pete Sessions (Texas)
Dennis Cardoza (California)   
Virginia Foxx (North Carolina) 
Michael Arcuri (New York) 
Ed Perlmutter (Colorado)
Chellie Pingree (Maine) 
Jared Polis (Colorado)

Does anyone else notice that there is not one single member of this committee from a state touched by the rivers that the Delta Queen traveled on including the Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee or Cumberland Rivers? Isn’t that amazing? This incredible power is controlled by representative of only eight states – and no state between the Rockies and the Appalachian Mountains is representated! Interesting. If you are a Delta Queen supporter and any of these are your representatives, please communicate your strong dissappointment in their decision.

An array of other amendments were added to the bill, including a lengthy array submitted by Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Congressman Oberstar has repeatedly stated his opposition to the Delta Queen’s continued operation. He cites safety concerns despite much evidence to the Delta Queen’s safety. To see and learn for yourself about the Delta Queen’s safety, watch the video here. To review the ammendments added to the bill, click here.

We are thankful for Rep. Hill’s efforts on behalf of the Delta Queen. She is a National Historic Landmark and the last operating overnight steamboat in U.S. history. She deserved the opportunity to operate, keep history alive, thrill passengers, provide jobs, and generate revenue for struggling river communities.

 

Stopped by the Delta Queen

Traveling from Knoxville down to Atlanta, we passed through Chattanooga and stopped by to check in on the old gal. The Delta Queen rests comfortably there at Coolidge Park and has been decorated for the autumn. The boat looks great and business is beginning to pick up. We continue to wish the best for the Delta Queen Hotel venture as they serve as the best caretakers we can realistically hope for at this time.

If you’re ever passing through the Chattanooga area, stop in for a drink or to stay the night. For their website, click here.

We met with Leah Ann Ingram, the new managing partner, and we are discussing possibilities for our eventual return to the boat to continue the Riverboat Entertainment tradition. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

Where have we been? Getting married!!!

I’m sure some of you were wondering why I have taken a bit of a hiatus from the DQ blog. Well…Laura and I got hitched on August 10! We had an incredibly beautiful wedding in the Columbia River Gorge (just can’t get too far away from a river!) and it was attended by our families and some of our dearest friends. Even some old steamboat entertainers such as Norman Bergan, Mark Cotter, Jennifer Neiderloh, Eric Hadley, Fred Bishop, Rick Lewis, Jeff Siri, Ken Anoe and Christopher Dean were on hand to witness our nuptials. We’ve been traveling ever since the wedding on a tour for Holland America that has taken us from Hawaii to England, so the first months of our wedded life have been a whirlwind. Thanks for being patient as we have taken time to catch our breath from our wonderful adventures. More Delta Queen posts to come…

 

I know I’m behind!

My apologies to my faithful readers. Things have been so crazy busy here that I have not posted as I should.

I will let you know that I have been taking photographs and making frequent notes in my notebook. I will get these written up and posted soon.

In short, things are going well. Laura and I are performing a variety of entertainment programming from 4:30 to around 10 each night Tuesdays through Saturdays. Days have been busy with meetings, family visiting, planning a wedding, etc.

Our contract here ends July 25. If you’re anywhere nearby, please come down and visit, see one of our shows, and stay overnight if you can. We’d love to see you before we head out to get married!

All the best to all you river and steamboat fans. I’ll update you on the details of the Delta Queen hotel operations soon.

 

A Crazy Weekend

The Delta Queen opened last Friday just as the 10-day Riverbend Music Festival began directly across the river. The Fat Cat Ferry (also owned by Delta Queen Hotel partner Harry Phillips) docks adjacent to the Delta Queen and shuttles festival-goers across the river. So, we had lots of folks coming aboard to have a drink in the Texas Lounge on their way to the concerts.

Friday and Saturday nights were wild nights in the Texas Lounge. The folks at the bar were ready to have a good time, rowdy and fun. They pushed us the edges of our repertoire with an array of very diverse requests. I think the only one we couldn’t fulfill was a request for a song by Neil Young. I admit, my Neil Young repertoire equals zero. But we’ve had them singing along and Saturday night they were even up dancing. Those of you who’ve been in the Texas Lounge are familiar with the cozy atmosphere, so it was crazy!

Laura and I ended both nights drenched in sweat and exhausted. We felt like we’d run a marathon, but we also felt really proud in a way that we had at least finished the race! With the concert-going, party crowd, this has not been the regular crowd we’re used to in the Texas Lounge. We felt like if we could survive that and keep the crowd having fun, then we might not ever be nervous again!

The festival continues through this weekend, so we’re bracing ourselves for a few more wild nights in the Texas Lounge. If you’re in the Chattanooga area, come on down. I have a feeling it’s going to be very entertaining!

 

Volunteer help

Phillip and Jo Ann

True Steamboaters Jo Ann Schoen and Phillip Johnson were onboard this weekend volunteering their help. Phillip got into all kinds of mechanical maintenance projects while Jo Ann focused mainly on asthetics. Both traveled with us onboard the boat earlier this year as volunteer workers during her historic journey from New Orleans to Chattanooga from February 4 – 11.

Phillip spent a lot of his time down below in the engineering spaces, so I didn’t get a shot of him in action, but Jo Ann was easy to catch as she focused on one of her specialties – polishing brass. And the Delta Queen never has any lack of brass needed to be polished! I think if you polished all the brass on the boat, by the time you finished it would be time to start again!

A hearty steamboat salute to these dedicated folks who have taken time out to come and work (and I mean work!) for long hours, just simply because they love the boat and want to be a part of her preservation. I am so thankful for so many folks like Jo Ann and Phillip that love the Delta Queen so deeply.