Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Souza.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Peter. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Three Sheets to the Wind was started about fifteen years ago after Peter Marston of Starboard List and Voyage of the Mimi fame as Captain Granville decided to stop playing sea music. Peter graciously handed over the baton to me and I ran with it…settling finally down with the Three Sheets branding. Many years of placing the building blocks in place via small events, private functions and sing alongs at friends homes evolved into a full blown chantey and sea music group starting ten years ago. Pub sings were established in Gloucester with three hour sessions that met weekly for songs and chanteys. This eliminated the need for practice sessions. Members came and went for several years and during the past six years has stabilized into a group of twenty plus members. Consistency, learning, dedication and connections formed the group into today’s Three Sheets to the Wind chantey and sea music group berthed out of Gloucester, MA. Involvement with Schooner Adventure, the National Park Services, Mystic Seaport, Portsmouth Maritime Festival and many more organizations has helped the group to evolve into a solid musical community recognized for their knowledge, history and friendship while enjoying audiences in the New England area. Three Sheets meets weekly on Monday’s at the Dog Bar Pub for chantey and sea music sings. Drop-ins, families and friends from near and afar continue to expand our followers. A major credit to all members is their continuous learning and sharing to improve and expand their skills and repertoires leading to betterments for the entire group. We like what we do, enjoy where we go and provide good music for our audiences.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some of the bumps in the road, as in all things, were difficult. Locations to have sings put us on hold a few times, but knowing where and who to turn to for new home ports helped us to continue our weekly sings and learning. Members came and went, as in any organization or group, and new ones rallied to fill in and maintain progress. Travel to large events in Boston and other states seemed impossible, but now with a more cohesive group of singers, we car pool assuring that we ALL get to our events together. Requesting event planners to assist with long distance travel needs has really helped, too.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Three Sheets to the Wind story. Tell us more about the business.
Three Sheets to the Wind specializes in sea chanteys and sea songs from the past and present. The group explains history of the songs, why they were used, and how they were used to enhance work in motion during shipboard efforts from raising sails to pumping and hauling. Musical instruments such as guitars, ukuleles, accordions, concertinas, banjos and fiddles often accompany our songs.
I am most proud of my friends who make up this music family that has matured into a community of wonderful folks enjoying what they do, learning new material and providing music to so many levels of our community…. from nursing homes to large events.
What sets us apart…we have fun…we like who we are and what we do and it shows during our performances. We thrive on audience participation and a sense of community.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is what you make it. Being fortunate enough to have the family and friends that I do is top shelf for me. Having a strong business work history and managing multiple tasks and groups of folks has given me the skills to manage and maintain events and performances. Loving what you do makes it easy. Knowing and learning from talented musician friend from around the world has given me insight as to what works best and what does not work. People are your audience and people are your players and singers…. egos do not enter into our methods and music…. learning this has been a major key to doing better for all.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 978-873-3335
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threesheetstothewindgloucesterma/?ref=br_rs
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