[Dixielandjazz] The Robert E. Lee Riverboat

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

Yes it's the same boat.  The Robert E. Lee (first photo) has no engines.  I
understand it's just a barge that looks like a riverboat. a coat of paint
and re attaching a lot of the rails and facial boards did wonders for it.
By the way I don't think that this is the legendary Riverboat of the same
name.

The bottom photos are of the Tom Sawyer which is a cruising boat and very
much smaller than the Robert E. Lee.  I have played on both the Becky
Thacher and Tom Sawyer.  Both of those boats are identical.  As far as I
know the troubles with the Rbt. E. Lee are still there.  You notice that the
first photo has no real mooring and it's just tied along the bank.  The
coast Guard frowns on that if  it's on a permanent basis.  Also, I have been
told, every time the river goes up and down more than three feet the Coast
Guard has to inspect all the Gas, Water, Electric and Sewer connections
which also isn't being done.

Unless miracles happen the Robert E. Lee is history at least here.  The
other boat that is moored in St. Charles Mo. is the Showboat which is a late
1800's river theater.  It looks like a boat but has no engines and was towed
up and down the river.  Actually it's a very cool place but is on very shaky
ground financially.      It belongs to the City of St. Charles and the last
owners went belly up too.  I think the City is just letting it deteriorate.
I heard some really good Dixieland on and near that boat.

These boats and OKOM are a heritage of St. Louis that is just going away.
St. Louis has never been a big supporter of it's performing arts and
heritage.

Notice the low number on the counter.  I looked over the menu and the prices
are very reasonable but there just isn't any traffic in Kimswick or on this
web site either.  Believe me, Kimswick is a great place to visit once in
your life but it isn't a major metro area and restaurants like this need a
lot of traffic.  Also note that they are not advertising music on their
site.  Last TV commercial I saw had a Bluegrass group.

The bluegrass scene around here if anything is worse off than Dixieland with
the price of a band being a six pack or even the hope of a six pack.

None of this has been in the news lately but my trumpet player is following
it because he has pursued this gig.

Larry Walton
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Romans" <cellblk7 at comcast.net>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 6:10 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] The Robert E. Lee Riverboat


Is this the same boat? It looks pretty healthy to me...
I found this on Google...

http://discoverkimmswick.com/RobertLee.htm

Warm regards,
Bob Romans,
Cell Block 7 Jazz Band
1617 Lakeshore Dr.
Lodi, Ca. 95242
209-339-4676
www.cellblockseven2002.net
Cell 209-747-1148
Because I play trumpet, I envy no one.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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