The mission of Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is to support music education through its charitable giving. The $100,000 raised as a result of Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III will go to that end. Joe and the foundation raised the funds through various on board activities. This included a major sweepstakes called the “Hang and Play with Joe Sweepstakes” in which a lucky fan won a personal jam session with the Blues Rock Titan himself while on board the cruise.

In addition to the sweepstakes, Keeping the Blues Alive raffled off Joe Bonamassa Hand-Signed Signature Model Epiphone guitars, a coveted prize among Joe’s guitar playing and guitar loving fans. Other charitable activities that raised funds included a VIP Meet and Greet with Joe, as well as several tastings of choice beverages. These included a beer tasting from craft beer brewery Saltwater Brewery as well as a Vintage Vines Wine Tasting, for those who prefer grapes to barley and hops. Finally, major contributions were donated by Joe Bonamassa as well as by Roy Weisman, Joe’s longtime manager and friend.

The funds raised by Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III will be used to augment the foundation’s weekly donations that support everything from much needed classroom instruments to school music organizations’ performance trips. Moreover, it will be used to fund scholarships for young musicians at top music institutions, including the Berkelee School of Music scholarship, as well as other higher division institute scholarships.

Joe Bonamassa and Keeping the Blues Alive want to thank the fans and especially those who participated in the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III cruise for their extremely generous contributions to the charity. We couldn’t do any of this without you!

Oh, and let’s not forget the amazing music that occurred aboard Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III, either. From mega sets on the gorgeous pool deck to intimate acoustic morning shows to everything in between, audiences were enthralled and captivated by performances from Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Beth Hart, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Eric Gales, Joanne Shaw Taylor, and an amazing collection of others. And, of course, Joe Bonamassa himself.

We hope you loved your time on board the cruise and we can’t wait to see all of you there again next time!

- J&R Adventures & Keeping the Blues Alive