Pianist dies on MSZuiderdam charter

[TPKeller]

I didn't see any posts on this. A terrible thing to happen on any cruise, but I imagine many of the folks on the cruise were big fans as well.

 

Pianist Anthony Burger of Cleveland died Wednesday night after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was 44. Anthony was in the Caribbean aboard a Bill Gaither Homecoming cruise this week and it was during one of Wednesday's performances when he suffered the heart attack. A family spokesman said Burger was doing what he loved best, playing the piano, just before collapsing.

 

http://www.newschannel9.com/engine.pl?station=wtvc&id=3564&template=breakout_story1.shtml

 

Theron

[jhannah]

How sad. But what a way to go ... at sea in a fine ship.

[tomc]

http://www.anthonyburger.com/home.htm

 

 

May he rest in smiles and joy, what he has brought to others.

 

What a story on his page:

"When I was eight months old I was learning to walk in a walker. Like many homes of our era, we had an old floor furnace in our house. As I was going through the hallway, one of the wheels got caught on the furnace grate and the walker turned over, throwing me down on the heater and burning my legs my face, and both my hands. " The burns Anthony describes were not light - they were third degree. "I was carried on a pillow for a year, during which time I received three medicated baths a day for my burns. The doctors said I'd never be able to move my hands after that. But gradually, the Lord healed my hands because He had a job for me to do. I thank God every day that the doctors were wrong, and that I stayed with it and play for Him."

[mama d]

that quote brought a tear to my eye.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That is so sad to hear.

 

And he was so young.

[bellebaby]

My Mother's pastor is on that cruise. I'm sure he'll speak to the congregation about the incident when he returns. I'll post anything of interest.

 

He was quite young. My prayers are with his family.

 

B

[beaming90]

I have seen Anthony in concert about 10 times, and met him 2 years ago, he was a wonderful man. I don't know if any of you are familiar with contemporary Christian music but the song I have heard that he was playing when he collapsed was We Shall Behold Him. A gorgeous song about the first time we get to see the Lord! Wow! What a song to be played at that time!

[kryos]

I have seen Anthony in concert about 10 times, and met him 2 years ago, he was a wonderful man. I don't know if any of you are familiar with contemporary Christian music but the song I have heard that he was playing when he collapsed was We Shall Behold Him. A gorgeous song about the first time we get to see the Lord! Wow! What a song to be played at that time!

Wow! Just thinking about that brings tears to my eyes. We should all be as lucky to go and be with the Lord while we are actively in the process of serving him.

 

I keep telling myself that one of these days I've got to take a "Christian" type cruise ... so that I can listen to music such as this while relaxing in a lounge. You won't get "We Shall Behold Him" on any sort of traditional cruise, that's for sure.

 

God bless and God speed him home.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kakalina]

That is so very sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those on the ship with him.

[beaming90]

We keep saying we would love to do a christian cruise, especially a Gaither cruise, but so far the prices have been higher then we could pay at the time. Someday though!

 

The sky shall unfold, preparing his entrance, the sleeping shall rise from their slumbering place. Those who remain shall be changed in an instant and we shall behold him, our Saviour and Lord!

[LHC]

My parents are older and my Mom has all the Gaither tapes. She had told me this morning about his passing but did not tell me he was on a cruise to glory!!What a way to go. Now I wonder if they tried an AED on him? That is the nurse in me. It is the best device for giving people a chance.

LHC

[FlorenceItaly]

I have seen Anthony in concert about 10 times, and met him 2 years ago, he was a wonderful man. I don't know if any of you are familiar with contemporary Christian music but the song I have heard that he was playing when he collapsed was We Shall Behold Him. A gorgeous song about the first time we get to see the Lord! Wow! What a song to be played at that time!

 

Wow, this gives me goosebumps.

 

Marie

[dawcruiser]

The following was forwarded to me from Mark Lowry.

 

"I just received a phone call from Michael Lord, Stan Whitmire and then Scott Davis so I called Barry Jennings to confirm it.

 

 

This evening Anthony Burger was playing, 'We Shall Be Hold Him' on The Gaither Cruise, collapsed and died. A couple of people took him backstage and tried to revive him, but couldn't. Anthony, it is believed, had a heart attack.

 

Please keep all of Anthony's family in your prayers.

 

Please check my Rambling reMarks (link is to the left of this newsletter) for funeral arrangements and any updates I receive.

 

 

Sincerely, Mark Lowry"

 

Mark used was a member of the Gaither Vocal Band which Anthony Burger accompanied. Mark himself quite touring because of health reasons.

 

Anthony Burger was on of the best Gospel pianist the world has ever known. He will be greatly missed.

 

Don

[TPKeller]

We keep saying we would love to do a christian cruise, especially a Gaither cruise, but so far the prices have been higher then we could pay at the time. Someday though!

Hi Lisa,

 

You are exactly right. My parents would absolutely love to go on one of these charters, but they always charge full brochure price for all the cabins, PLUS an extra fee for the fact that it's a charter!! The rock bottom cheapest bunk on the ship is over $1,400 per person. It's quite insane, but I guess it follows supply and demand, as I think they do always sell out, even at those ridiculous prices. It is unfortunate that those who can't afford beyond the normal, more competitive rates are simply shut out from such a wonderful experience.

 

Theron

[ReaganSkyesdad]

I had the pleasure of seeing the Gaither's in concert a few years ago. It is so sad that this happened to such a young, Christian man.

 

My prayers go out to his family.

[M&T]

I loved seeing and hearing him play. His enthusiastic playing always rocked the concert halls. It is just unbelievable that he died. Marlyne

[kryos]

We keep saying we would love to do a christian cruise, especially a Gaither cruise, but so far the prices have been higher then we could pay at the time. Someday though!

That's exactly the reason I haven't taken one. Plus, the single supplements are 200% on a cruise line that. Plus, most of the Christian cruises are about five days ... hardly worth traveling down South for.

 

But ... yeah, I say the same thing. Someday.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kingclick]

Well look at it this way. You are supplementing the "performers" cruise with your ticket. And of course these performers are not going to stay in an inside "steerage" cabin like the standard performers on cruise ships. These performers get the Penthouse and the best suites on the ship.

 

I'm also thinking that some of the Christian cruises would have lower alcohol sales because of many fundamentalists don't believe in drinking. So now there is even MORE money that needs to be made up.

[FlorenceItaly]

I'm also thinking that some of the Christian cruises would have lower alcohol sales because of many fundamentalists don't believe in drinking. So now there is even MORE money that needs to be made up.

 

And, lower casino revenue. I, myself, do enjoy a cocktail and a bit of slot pulling, but I don't think there is any of that on the private christian charter cruises. In the past, I've also looked at the rates, and even though the cruise would be very nice, I have a hard time justifying the rate. I am so use to finding a DEAL, know what I mean? And, unfortunately the rates do not reflect a deal.

 

Marie

[Terre]

Our friends are on this cruise. I can't wait to talk to them to see if they were at this show and if the captain made an announcement or not.

[kryos]

And, lower casino revenue. I, myself, do enjoy a cocktail and a bit of slot pulling, but I don't think there is any of that on the private christian charter cruises. In the past, I've also looked at the rates, and even though the cruise would be very nice, I have a hard time justifying the rate. I am so use to finding a DEAL, know what I mean? And, unfortunately the rates do not reflect a deal.

It all depends on whether the Christian cruise is a full ship charter or not. If it's taking place on a regular sailing, then the casino and all the bars are open as normal. The Christian group's activities will just take place in separate areas of the ship.

 

If the Christian cruise is a full ship charter, though, then chances are the casino will be closed for the trip, and the bars may only serve non-alcoholic beverages. Most of the public areas will probably be smoke-free too ... though there would still most likely be designated smoking areas on the outside decks.

 

It's always a problem getting a decent price on any "theme" type cruise. After all, an override has to be charged to cover the special programs that are being run for the theme ... and the extra people that the sponsoring organization will be using in their program, and thus paying the fare (and possibly even a fee) for. I did a Maui Writers Conference at Sea cruise back in 2004. It was a typical HAL 10-day Panama Canal Sunfarer itinerary and we had about 300 people on the boat. After talking with some other folks who were on the sailing, but not as part of our group, I found that we were paying almost twice what they were for the same cruise. Of course, we also had a full day of programmed activities on every sea day, and lots of professional writers along to assist us in developing our craft. Still, I spent an awful lot of money for that cruise ... almost as much as a double occupancy spot on my recent 30-day Amsterdam cruise would be.

 

That's why I rarely take theme cruises anymore. What I would pay to take one of them would bust my cruise budget for the entire year. But, who knows? Maybe someday I'll find a "deal" on one of these Christian cruises and be able to go.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

It's quite insane, but I guess it follows supply and demand, as I think they do always sell out, even at those ridiculous prices. It is unfortunate that those who can't afford beyond the normal, more competitive rates are simply shut out from such a wonderful experience.

Well, I guess those who can't afford the full-blown cruise can always make arrangements to see the Gaithers in concert. They do put on a full program of concerts around the country. In fact, we're having one here in my neck of the woods in a month or so ... and the ticket prices are not all that outrageous.

 

It's the same as when these Christian travel agencies put on cruises with some of the more well-known preachers. The prices for the cruises are outrageous ... and they generally sell out the boat despite that fact. But it doesn't mean that those of us who can't afford to pay them are shut out from hearing these gifted teachers preach. We just have to catch them either on tour when they do crusades in various cities, or we have to tune them in on Christian radio. We certainly can benefit from their wisdom regardless.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[jbhcw]

I also have friends on this cruise and was saddened to read about Mr. Burger this am in the paper. According to my girlfriend this was a complete Gaither charter and there would be no alcohol sold and the casino would not be open. There are three of them sailing in a veranda cabin and she told me the cost was about twice what it would normally be.

[Himself]

May Mr. Berger rest in peace. Life is a gift and the Lord can call that gift back at any time. We know not the day nor the hour. It is best we be prepared.

[tomc]

They're on tv here all the time -- the Pax network.