"take the ferry to sausalito" music video

From Fishing Village to Artistic Haven

Unveil the enchanting story of Sausalito, a coastal gem that resonates with the soulful melody of its people. Here, where the Pacific waves embrace the artistic spirit, we invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating history and charming quirks of this coastal haven.

Discover the Story

Famous Musicians

Sausalito's magnetic allure transcends beyond its scenic beauty; it resonates with the creative souls of musicians. From Otis Redding penning the timeless "Dock of the Bay" to Santana's fusion of Latin rhythms harmonizing with the town's artistic energy, Sausalito has played muse to an array of legendary musicians who found solace and inspiration within its bohemian embrace.

Who Found Inspiration Here

No Name Bar

Embark on a journey through the vibrant eras of Sausalito's past, where speakeasies thrived during the Prohibition era, and the town boomed with the exhilarating spirit of the Jazz Age. Unearth tales of roaring parties, smuggled libations, and the spirited escapades that have woven themselves into the town's captivating tapestry.

Meet the Band

Unveil the Melody awaiting you in Sausalito

Feel the embrace of Sausalito's soul with a story that echoes the very essence of the town.
Text REDCHIPRECORDS to 689-263-9938 to learn more.

History of the Song

The project is the brain child of Dave Gentry, CEO of RedChip Companies, an international investor relations and media company headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
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The song, written and produced by Dave, is a love song about a younger woman and an older man set in Sausalito, California. The song revolves around the No Name Bar, a local music treasure that harmonizes with the soul and spirit of Sausalito. The narrator asks his lover to come back to him by taking the ferry to Sausalito and meeting him at the No Name Bar.

Explore RedChip

Lead Dancer

Sadie Carhart began her lifelong passion of dance at the age of three. By 19, she was teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Creative Movement to all ages 3 - Adult. In 2002, Sadie became a principle company member with the 3rd Ave. Dance Company. During this time, she worked directly with and performed repertoire by KT Nelson, Brenda Way, Janice Garrett, Wade Madsen and Nancy Cranbourne. In 2008, Sadie was hired as a full time Dance Specialist for Tanner Dance at the University of Utah. This position included Arts and Education Assistant Director, working side by side with faculty to incorporate dance and movement into the academic curriculum, supporting over 4500 students in the Utah School Districts; Assistant Director to Tanner Dance studios; Choreographer and Instructor for Children’s Dance Theatre, touring nationally and internationally ; Director of Summer camps; Teaching and mentoring Professional Development workshops for educators. Currently, Sadie is dancing with Printz Dance Project. She is also a Certified Yoga Practitioner and has been a Massage Therapist and Bodyworker for 15 years.

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Lead Male Vocals

"Take the Ferry to Sausalito" was originally recorded and performed by Nashville artist and creative entrepreneur Kyle Pruzina and his wife, Marci. Pruzina is a dedicated full-time singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN, and forms one half of the Americana/Pop duo, Suitcase Souls. With more than a decade of experience in writing and producing music, he takes pleasure in crafting a wide range of musical styles, from soothing acoustic ballads to lively, upbeat folk tunes, and even relaxed country melodies.

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Lead Female Vocals

Equally at home as a renowned classical cello player or on the cutting edge of pop music, Rebecca Roudman is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most exciting crossover cellists. As a member of both the Oakland East-Bay Symphony and the Santa Rosa Symphony, Rebecca is an experienced orchestral musician who has toured with orchestras to Brazil and throughout Europe. While developing her classical skills, Rebecca studied with both Larry Granger of the San Francisco Symphony and Gretchen Elliot, one of Janos Starker’s students. Rebecca has premiered numerous classical and contemporary works, many of which were written for her.

The No Name Band

A creation of Dave Gentry, the No Name Band isa collection of musicians, actors, and singers who play in "Take the Ferry to Sausalito."

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"Take the Ferry to Sausalito" was recorded in collaboration with the MagikMagik Orchestra (MMO) and the San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC) — representing a harmonious fusion of local musical talent in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. Both groups, deeply rooted in the region's rich cultural scene, bring their unique musical prowess to the song that pays homage to the picturesque town of Sausalito. MMO, known for its remarkable versatility and ability to adapt to various musical genres and styles, adds a touch of orchestral grandeur to the composition. Whether evoking the youthful energy of a budding romance or the contemplative wisdom of age, MMO's orchestral arrangements provide a dynamic backdrop that mirrors the complex emotions woven into the song's narrative.
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Complementing MMO's orchestral prowess, the San Francisco Boys Chorus lends its angelic voices to the project, adding a layer of innocence and nostalgia that resonates with the love story at the heart of the song. These young voices, drawn from a diverse array of Bay Area communities and schools, infuse "Take the Ferry to Sausalito" with a sense of local pride and authenticity. The collaboration between these two esteemed groups not only celebrates the musical talent that thrives in the San Francisco area but also captures the essence of Sausalito's beauty and charm, creating a recording that promises to be a captivating journey through love and nostalgia in this idyllic coastal town.

Musicians of Sausalito

Over the years, Sausalito has been a haven for many famous musicians, drawn by its enchanting beauty, artistic atmosphere, and the sense of freedom that the town exudes. These famous musicians, among others, have shaped the musical landscape of Sausalito and left an enduring legacy within the town's artistic community.

Brief History of Sausalito

Sausalito, once a quaint fishing village, has transformed into an artistic hub, drawing inspiration from its stunning landscapes and bohemian ambiance. Since its early days, the town has nurtured a thriving arts community, inspiring musicians, painters, and dreamers to call it home.

Its origins trace back to the 19th century when Sausalito was a vital port for San Francisco's maritime trade. Over the years, it has evolved, preserving its rich maritime heritage while embracing the vibrant artistic tapestry that now adorns its streets.

Today, Sausalito stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its residents, where creativity dances with the salty breeze and paints the town in colors of endless possibilities.

Floating Homes Melody

Did you know that Sausalito is renowned for its picturesque floating homes? These charming residences gently sway with the tides, creating a unique symphony of their own, and are an essential part of the city's allure.

Artistic Tapestry

From the Marinship Mural to world-class galleries, Sausalito's artistic spirit weaves its way into every nook and cranny of the town, making it a mecca for art enthusiasts.

Otis Redding's Inspiration

Soul legend Otis Redding found inspiration for his classic hit "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" while residing in Sausalito. Immerse yourself in the essence of the song and let it guide you to the tranquility of the Bay.

Golden Gate Serenade

Sausalito offers unparalleled views of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic masterpiece of engineering that elegantly connects the city with the magic of Marin County.

The Influence of Music

The enduring impact of their influence continues to reverberate, captivating local musicians and enchanting visitors with the allure of creativity in this coastal gem.

George Duke

Duke was a Grammy-winning, genre-busting multi-talented jazz, funk, pop and rock musician and record producer who grew up in Marin City, an unincorporated area just north of Sausalito that shares our 94965 Zip Code. He played with groups as diverse as Cannonball Adderley and Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention, eventually breaking out as a chart-topping solo recording star before turning to production for many high-profile stars including Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson.
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Fleetwood Mac

The Record Plant recording studio in Sausalito was the site where many major hit albums by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame stars were created. Out of all those albums, bands and stories none was as successful as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (with over 40,000,000 copies sold). And, at a place where triumph and tragedy both grew to be routine, few stories are more heartbreaking.

Graham Gouldman

Although the famed 1960’s English rock composer for The Yardbirds, the Hollies and Herman’s Hermits hadn’t visited here, he still created a beacon for Sausalito. His song Sausalito is the Place to Go To was recorded during a brief period when he took the money and wrote bubblegum songs like the awful 1968 hit, Yummy Yummy Yummy I’ve got Love in my Tummy. The song Sausalito is the Place to Go To (which is far better than the yummy yummy disaster) had just one historic role: recorded in the UK, it documents the town’s emerging worldwide reputation as a late-60s cultural hotspot.

Bill Graham

Although he eventually had a large home in nearby Corte Madera, rock music impresario Bill Graham kept a houseboat in Sausalito for many years. It is most famously remembered as the spot where Otis Redding wrote the classic song, Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. Graham would also throw over-the-top parties at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito for artists in town for his concerts, the most famous of which was for Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.

Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones

The Stones were the most famous members of rock royalty who were celebrated at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito with a lavish party by music promoter Bill Graham. Graham hosted these events for artists in town for his national and international concert tours. Bobby Lozoff, the bartender at The Trident, invented the Tequila Sunrise there. When Jagger attended the 1972 party he was served the new creation, which Lozoff said was designed for their traveling lifestyle because it was so simple that band members could make it for themselves with Jose Cuervo tequila, orange juice and a drop of grenadine. Three days of partying in Sausalito and San Francisco later (including all of the Trident’s employees boarding buses to attend one of the concerts for free), The Stones resumed their tour and spread the joys of the Tequila Sunrise around the world.

Pink Floyd

The band famously stayed at the Casa Madrona Hotel in Sausalito while playing concerts in San Francisco in 1967, where a photographer named William Baron took a famous series of informal group portraits.

Otis Redding

There are many versions of the story about how Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay was written and recorded by Otis Redding, but most of the stories agree that he wrote the song while staying on Bill Graham’s houseboat in Sausalito. Several different local houseboat piers and docks still claim to be the famous Sausalito location.

Carlos Santana

Still called the Santana Blues Band, the group played their first-ever gig — for rock impresario Bill Graham — on March 1, 1967 at The Ark in Sausalito, alias the old ferry boat Charles Van Damme, which was then used for many purposes including a concert and dance venue. They returned again on January 26-27, 1968. After their performance at Woodstock their success exploded in 1969 and they toured the world playing larger venues. His song Samba de Sausalito was first played in concert in June of 1973, and the studio version was released in 1974. Although he has lived in Mill Valley, San Rafael and Tiburon (all nearby, north of Sausalito) for several decades, Carlos Santana has occasionally turned up for short unannounced Sausalito performances, most recently at a Caledonia St. restaurant. He has now moved part-time to Las Vegas due to his performance residencies there. Learn more!

Tupac Shakur

Shakur lived in Marin Cityfor several years as he was growing up, the unincorporated area at the north end of Sausalito that is part of the local school district.

Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead’s first-ever concert was in Sausalito. The concert took place October 15, 1966 at the Heliport on Bolinas St. at the north end of town (now the Commodore Heliport). Apart from a short period of concerts, the Heliport was primarily used as a rehearsal hall for the Dead in 1966-67, alongside other local bands. This was convenient, since the band members’ homes were scattered across Marin County and the heliport was (and is) near the Sausalito offramp on Highway 101. Like many local musicians whose shows were promoted by Bill Graham, they also frequented The Trident restaurant in town. Their 1973 album The Wake of the Floodwas also recorded at The Record Plant recording studio in Sausalito, which also still stands today.

Rod McKuen

If you ever wonder about the Beat generation and Beat poetry, Rod McKuen is their “romantic,” appearing in clubs alongside more cynical peers and friends like Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg. McKuen’s Beat-era piece about Sausalito in the above video is a great example of a cross between a story and a poem, something you might hear recited at a “salon” on the old Charles Van Damme Ferry, alias “the Ark” in Sausalito back in the day, and he also had a long music career despite damaging his vocal chords. His most famous poem, Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows, also refers to Sausalito.