After one sip, you’ll be wakin’ up to a hundred mosquito bites.

From that chair I’ve cought a few fish and some rays
And I’ve watched boats sail in and out of cinnamon bay
I let go of a lover that took a piece of my heart
Prayed many times for forgiveness and a brand new start

I’ve read a lot of books, wrote a few songs
Looked at my life – where it’s goin, where it’s gone
I’ve seen the world through a bus windshield
But nothing compares to the way that I see it
To the way that I see it, to the way that I see it
When I sit in that old blue chair.

Those of course are a few lyrics to Kenny Chesney’s hit song, Old Blue Chair. I just listened to the song 3 times now to get the mood just right for this post, and I have say if I were any more relaxed I would be floating in Cinnamon Bay. Maybe a rum drink in hand?

Speaking of rum drinks, today is Wednesday and that means it’s time to fill that glass with a new Boat Drink. Today’s cocktail is named after Chesney’s favorite chair, that chair he passed out in one New Year’s Eve on the beach(so the lyrics say), the Old Blue Chair. I received an email from a Castaway named Jeremy M. quite awhile ago and it had some pretty kick ass Boat Drink recipes in it. I had totally forgotten about it until he emailed me again this past week commenting on the VooDoo Juice recipe. Thanks for the great recipe’s Jeremy!

Let’s mix up an Old Blue Chair shall we.

The Old Blue Chair

• 1oz Cruzan Light Rum
• 1/2 oz Cruzan Coconut Rum
• 1/2 oz Cruzan Mango Rum
• 1/2oz Blue Curacao
• 2oz Pineapple Juice
• 1oz OJ

Mixing Instructions: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Shake a couple times. Pour into glass with ice. Garnish with pineapple. Raise glass and toast.

Yeah, I know, it sounds out of this world. I can almost hear you guys jumping into your cars and heading to the store for some Cruzan Rums right now. I’m right behind you! Let me know what you guys think of the Old Blue Chair, anxious to get your feedback.

This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t add the Chesney video for Old Blue Chair. It’s an island escape to say the least. Enjoy.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Wrote a note said be back in a minute
Bought a boat and sailed off in it
Don’t think anybody gonna miss me anyway

Last Friday night the city of Fort Myers was Knee Deep with Zac Brown Band fever. Once I heard that ZBB was coming to Southwest Florida, I quickly thought back to seeing him last March in Tampa when the band was touring with Kenny Chesney and the Goin’ Coastal tour. The difference between Tampa last year and Fort Myers this year…energy. Crowd energy to be more specific.

In March they preformed in the huge venue of Raymond James Stadium. A good crowd was there to see them play, but the sun was still up and many people were still in the parking lots waiting for Chesney to come on stage. Last week the small Germain Arena in Fort Myers, which only holds about 7,000 people, was sold out and the fans hyped up. This castaway included. The energy was contagious and ZBB was feeding off of it.

Cold beer on a Friday night
Pair of jeans that fit just right
and the radio up

The third song was “Knee Deep”, and it sent the areas coastal crowd into a frenzy. I have some bad video of them playing the addictive Knee Deep, but I won’t submit you to the horrible screaming singing that you can hear from the person holding the camera.

Cause my bartender, she’s from the islands
Her body’s been kissed by the sun
And coconut replaces the smell of the bar
And I don’t know if it’s her or the rum

Zac and the boys rocked the house for just under two hours and played all their hits. They also played a new song from their upcoming album. Can’t remember the name of the song or the album name though. I know, I should be fired. If anyone reading this was at the show please let us know the name of the new song they played.

I do remember that they ended the show with “Chicken Fried” which made the entire crowd go nuts. Everyone was singing as loud as the could, jumping up and down and loving every second of it. The place was electric.

With sunshine and ladies and pina coladas
and Bob Marley songs that are playing
There’s a song in my ear that I want you to hear
Soft tropical lips that are singing

My friends and I were wondering if Jimmy Buffett was going to make surprise appearance and do Knee Deep with the guys. Jimmy was in Florida preparing for a show in Miami the very next night. But alas he did not show up. Turns out he was catching the Miami Heat game instead. It was fun to think about though.

If you get the chance to see Zac Brown Band in concert I highly recommend it. I don’t even like country music, but these guys have enough tropical vibe and amazing talent to turn even the biggest country haters into fans.

Adios and vaya con Dios

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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I’ve written about this artist before, one of the legends of the Caribbean, but this video pretty much sums up what he and his energy is all about. Bankie Banx, from the island of Anguilla, has been singing his brand of folk reggae around the Caribbean and the world for more than 30 years.

Why am I writing about Banx again? I’ve received quite a few emails lately about island music and what songs would make a great Caribbean vacation playlist. Of coarse I’m going to say Buffett, Chesney, Mishka, Marley, Zac Brown, Boat Drunks…there’s a bunch. But if you want some real island sound you need to look at Bankie Banx. He’s been doing it for so long and has been doing it so right. Tons of articles have been written and countless minutes have been recorded of him and his band performing. What can I do to spread the word, I don’t know. All I know is he’s on my island mix and I want to share it with you.

Here’s a great video of Bankie Banx describing his music and why he does what he does.

Bankie puts on one of the biggest music festivals in the Caribbean. Moonsplash which happens has his beach bar, The Dunes Preserve takes place Thursday March 8, until Sunday March 11, 2012. This four day music festival draws some big names not just in reggae but from all genres. Here’s is some more information on Moonsplash.

If you don’t have Banx on your island/chill/reggae playlist yet here you go.

Still In Paradise – Bankie Banx

If you’ve had the chance to catch Bankie’s act at his bar on Anguilla I’d love to hear you’re story.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Key West is like a drug. You visit once and it grabs at you. You visit again and it becomes hard to leave. You visit again and it becomes part of your DNA. I’ve been to Key West dozens of times and it becomes a little harder to let go every time. During my visit this past weekend we visited bars and formed relationships to set up the Conched in Key West Charity Bar Crawl. Yes, it’s hard work, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice for all of you!

One of the places Shawn and I visited was the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon. A relative new comer when it comes Duval Street bars. Tucked into a courtyard just off Duval, the Smokin’ Tuna is high on our list for places to stop or finish the bar crawl at. Why? Because it’s bad ass! Watch this video of famous Key’s Trop-Rocker Howard Livingston and you’ll understand.

Livin’ On Key West Time – Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band

See what I mean! Not lying, I’ve just listened to this song about 6 times in a row as I’ve written this post. Crazy? Yeah, Key Crazy!

If you want to soak up this addictive island atmosphere then join us in September for the Conched in Key West Bar Crawl. It’s for a great charity, Reef Relief. Who knows, maybe we can get Howard to join us for the crawl and play at the pre-party the night before! I’ll see if I can work some magic to make that happen.

If you want Livin’ On Key West Time by Howard Livingston song, you can get it on iTunes here.

Perfect song to start the weekend with!

Cheers Castaways!
RumShopRyan

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I know it’s not boating season for most of you, more like sit by the fire with a sweater season. That being said, I want to do the best I can to keep you warm and shine a little good times sunshine in your direction.

The song “Beer On A Boat” by Ashton Shepherd does a great job with the whole good-time, chillaxin’ vibe. It’s pretty simple, it’s about a boat, good friends, cooler full of beer and living “The Life”. I think you guys are going to like this.

Beer On A Boat – Ashton Shepherd

Artist: Shepherd Ashton
Song: Beer On A Boat
Album: Where Country Grows

It’s gonna be a scorcher of a day and the water is callin’
Got an iced down cooler and a seventeen footer we’re haulin’
Baby, back her down the ramp and don’t jackknife it
Let’s see how many people we can fit inside it
I think we’ve got half the town invited for

Some beer on a boat on a Saturday
A few good friends just floatin’ away
The world looks better through a cool pair of shades
With some beer on a boat on a Saturday

Got the girls on the inner tube hangin’ on tryin’ to prove what they got
And if you ain’t wet yet then Buddy’s gonna get you with a belly flop
There’s some boys on the dock wavin’ and whistlin’
Some old men yellin’ that we’re messin’ up their fishin’
But they’re just jealous cause they know they’re missin’ on

Some beer on a boat on a Saturday
A few good friends just floatin’ away
The world looks better through a cool pair of shades
With some beer on a boat on a Saturday

Ain’t nothin’ like a sunny day to make your troubles fade away and disappear
Wouldn’t be all bad if we all ran out of gas and got stuck here…
With some ice cold

Beer on a boat on a Saturday
A few good friends just floatin’ away
The world looks better through a cool pair of shades
With some beer on a boat on a Saturday

Gettin’ redder by the minute but we got it made
With some beer on a boat on a Saturday

If you’d like to add Beer On A Boat to your “Relax” playlist you can download it here.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Jake Thomas, a trop-rocker in the group Jaked and the Half Conched Band, sent me his CD, “Salt in My Veins” about a year ago. The album is full of songs about gin clear water, wet money, Mexican senoritas and escaping the grind. It’s a breath of fresh salty air and the relaxing lyrics will have you island dreaming in no time, especially if you’re zip code reads frozen tundra.

I’m friends with Jake on Facebook and happened to see him complaining that he was 7 hours from the closest beach. A problem no doubt. I suggested he join me in Key West in a couple weeks for a little “Island Research”. Seeing him pop up on Facebook made me revisit his “Salt In My Veins” album, and after soaking in a few tunes I knew I had to share one of the songs with you Castaways today. “Time For A Change” is the perfect song for this time of year and I hope it has you pondering a change in geography.

Time For A Change – Jake and the Half Conched Band

Catchy little song isn’t it? If you’re inspired to head South then maybe the Castaway Winter Beach Bash on St. Thomas is just the medicine you need. If you just want to chill to the sounds of Jake and the Half Conched Band then you can down load the song “Time For A Change” and their album “Salt In My Veins” below.

Did Buffett inspire this entire genre of Trop-Rock or did it exist before him?

Time For A Change –

Salt In My Veins Album –

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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“Ain’t gonna be no white Christmas / Ain’t gonna be no reindeer / Ain’t gonna be no sleigh bells ringing / Not around here,” Hagar sings before Keith responds with, “I’m packing my tank tops / My board shorts and my flip flops / I take first class non-stop / Down Mexico way.”

I’m really diggin’ these tropical Christmas songs, last week it was “Let it Snow (Somewhere Else)” and now “Santa’s Going South.”

I’m a little surprised it was Toby Keith that cut this song with Sammy Hagar. It’s a well known fact that Sammy, Mr. Beer in Mexico, producer of Cabo Wabo tequila and Beach Bar Rum, is good friends with island cowboy Kenny Chesney. Sammy and Kenny teaming up on a tropical Christmas song makes so much more sense. Don’t get me wrong, I love the song and think it sounds great with Toby, but something tells me it would have been pure island gold with Kenny. Just my opinion.

Listen Here, Toby Keith & Sammy Hagar – Santa’s Going South

If you like the song you can download it here.

I hope you Castaways are feeling the Christmas spirit. Sometimes it’s hard to get into the holiday frame of mind when it’s 80 degrees out, so songs like this definitely help. Santa’s Going South will be playing a lot in the RSR household for the next couple of weeks.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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I was perusing the pages of one of my favorite blogs out of the Bahamas called the Sandy Slipper, and found a recent post about a reggae band called Willis and the Illest. Based out of Nassau this band is ready to get their music out to the rest of the Caribbean and reggae lovers around the world.

Mr. Sandy Slipper says that you can find The Illest at Bahama Joes most Thursdays in down town Nassau.

Enough talk, here is the fantastic music video of Willis and the Illest performing their song “Hey”. The video is excellently produced and you’ll be able to get a feel for the high talent level of this reggae band.

The Illest Bio

The Illest Reggae Band is a twisted amalgamation of aggressive roots, rock and dub-style reggae fused with their maniac blend of rock, ska, reggae, hip hop, r&b and jazz alike. Fronted by Willis Knowles and the soulful wailing of Mandisa Kerr, the band continues bridging the gap of music, people and culture through original songs and countless covers. Known for their energetic, uplifting performances, The Illest is poised to take their message of acceptance, love and I-nity to audiences everywhere.

The Illest is a band you will NOT want to miss. They are steadily on the rise, each performance more energizing than the last. These talented musicians are passionate entertainers with a natural driving force and they know how to light up a stage.

If you’d like a freed CD of Willis and the Illest, click here and head over to the Sandy Slipper for details. He is giving away a few copies to a couple lucky people.

NOTE
Don’t forget to sign up for the Castaway Winter Beach Bash! This break from the cold will take place January 20 – 23, 2012 at the beautiful Bolongo Bay Resort on St. Thomas in the USVI.

The fun will be hosted by yours truly and will include a rum tasting, a complimentary bottle of Cruzan Rum in your room, a sunset sail, a rum snorkel scavenger hunt, nightly entertainment and Castaway room discounts. Take a break from the Winter and come lime Castaway style in the US Virgin Islands! Click here for booking and details. Can’t wait to hangout with everyone on the warm sands of St. Thomas!

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A blog that goes by the name of Snoloha left a link on the RSR Facebook page yesterday with a great message. The general theme was that some people in the north like to celebrate the tropics during Christmas time, decorating fake palm trees and making wreaths out of flip flops. Sort of a role reversal type deal. I thought it was an interesting take on how to bring the tropical lifestyle up to the (get me out of here it’s cold) north during the holiday season.

Posted in that story is a music video of the coolest little “Christmas in the Tropics” songs I’ve seen. Called Let It Snow (Somewhere Else) by Joey + Rory, the music video is shot in the Florida Keys and glorifies how awesome different it is to celebrate Christmas in the lower latitudes. The song is addicting and I guarantee that you’ll be singing right along with the chorus in know time. I know I am!

Let It Snow (Somewhere Else)

With our toes stuck in the sand
And a pair of mojitos in our hand
Its a wonderful time of year
When it’s 85 and the sky is clear
So let it snow
Let it snow
Let it snow
Just not here

You’re hooked aren’t you?! If you’d like to download Let it Snow (Somewhere Else) click the button below.

Cheers to a holiday addition of Salt Life Sound!
RumShopRyan

NOTE
Don’t forget to sign up for the Castaway Winter Beach Bash! This break from the cold will take place January 20 – 23, 2012 at the beautiful Bolongo Bay Resort on St. Thomas in the USVI.

The fun will be hosted by yours truly and will include a rum tasting, a complimentary bottle of Cruzan Rum in your room, a sunset sail, a rum snorkel scavenger hunt, nightly entertainment and Castaway room discounts. Take a break from the Winter and come lime Castaway style in the US Virgin Islands! Click here for booking and details. Can’t wait to hangout with everyone on the warm sands of St. Thomas!

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This weekend I spent some time creating a new playlist on the old iPod for next week’s journey to Grenada and the Grenadines. I read that the Diamant has a place you can hook up an iPod so that it plays over the ship’s speakers. This information made me just a tad excited, so I set out to make the perfect playlist, to set the perfect mood, in the most perfect place in the world.

As you can probably guess the playlist is going to be populated with the usual suspects – Buffett, Chesney, Zac, Marley, Banks and Mishka. It occurred to me that for some insane reason I didn’t have Mishka’s Above the Bones album downloaded. I quickly corrected the mistake and proceeded to put the album on repeat. I fell into a state of chill relaxation as the smooth reggae filled the man cave.

I want to try and share that feeling with you. Here is Coastline Journey by Mishka, I dare you not to feel more relaxed after listening to it.

Can you imaging listing to that song while sailing on a 101 foot wooden schooner through the Grenadine Islands? Talk about the perfect song, perfect artist, for the perfect journey. Salt Life Sound.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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