Overview
The HardTackers is a crew from Columbus, Ohio USA, that sings sea shanties and maritime-themed songs of the seas, lakes and rivers. They have toured extensively in the USA and Canada. At one time they were the official maritime band for the Santa Maria Ship & Museum in Columbus, Ohio.
Their aim is to be entertaining and have fun. Their introductions are informative and often take an unscripted tangent due to the mixture of old salts on stage together. They are a versatile and vibrant shanty crew who will leave you wanting more of those wonderful songs of sail from the USA, Ireland, UK and around the world.
The HardTackers have moved on from the Santa Maria and are now the unofficial/official crew of the Flagship Niagara — a reproduction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s victorious brig from the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. The Niagara is the star attraction of the Erie Maritime Museum, and during Tall Ships festivals all along Lake Erie, the HardTackers are a highlight. — Jamie Rhien
Curated History
Here is a good article about the group.
The Santa Maria Ship & Museum was a museum ship in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The craft was a full-size replica of the Santa María, one of three ships Christopher Columbus used in 1492 during his first voyage to the Americas. The ship was displayed in Columbus from 1991 to 2014, when it had to be relocated due to the Scioto Mile project reshaping the riverbanks. The Santa Maria has sat on a city-owned lot since its relocation. — Wikipedia
Video
Band Members
Andy Beyer Joe Cook Rennie Beetham Fred Bailey (RIP) John Locke (former member) John Riley Schomberg (former member) Larry Drake (former member)