Become a Part of an Incredible Journey

THE SMUGGLER: WHO PLAYED THE BLUES

From Santa Marta to Miami: A Smuggler's Journey

Hi, I’m Dale “Catman” Ballard. Musician, storyteller, husband, grandpa, and once, just a 19-year-old kid who said yes to a phone call that changed everything.

My Caribbean Run is my true story of how I found myself on a 76-foot yacht headed from Santa Marta, Colombia, to Miami, Florida, in 1977. What started as a thrill-seeking leap turned into a survival story I’ve carried for decades.

About The Author

Meet Dale "Catman" Ballard

I was born on a U.S. Air Force base in France in 1957. I grew up back in the States, played a lot of blues harmonica, raised a family in Indiana, and found peace in retirement. But in 1977, I lived a different kind of story that deserves to be told.

At 19, I joined a smuggling run I knew nothing about, chasing adventure and a bit of money. The result was My Caribbean Run, a real-life, high-stakes tale that took me through the Caribbean, into the unknown, and nearly overboard (literally).

These days, I’m just “Catman” to the friends and family, but for those who know what it means to take a wild turn in life, this one’s for you.

aBOut The Book

My Caribbean Run

By Dale "Catman" Ballard

My Caribbean Run isn’t just a story—it’s a lived experience. Told in Dale “Catman” Ballard’s unmistakable voice, this gritty, heartfelt memoir invites readers into a world few ever glimpse. What begins as an impulsive decision by a 19-year-old kid in 1977 quickly unfolds into a vivid, true-life adventure through sun-soaked ports, unpredictable seas, and choices that can’t be undone.

At its core, My Caribbean Run is about more than a journey across the water. It’s about a moment in time—when youth meets risk, when dreams collide with danger, and when you realize too late that you’ve stepped into something far bigger than yourself. It’s about the pull of freedom, the weight of decisions, and what it means to come back from the edge—changed but still standing.

Our Trailer

Watch Our Book Trailer

Reviews

The Smuggler's Story Everyone’s Talking About

My Caribbean Run is a coming-of-age adventure and a fun read. Enjoyed the glimpse into the 70's.

My daughter purchased this book for me and once I started reading it, I could not put it down. What a story of adventure! I was on pins and needles and was captivated by the story. Well written and an easy read. I highly recommend this book!

"Parts of this made me laugh, parts made me uncomfortable, and some parts made me stop and think. It's not polished like a movie—it's better. It's real. But make no mistake: it plays out like an adventure thriller, only this one actually happened."

"This book reads like you're sitting with an old friend, hearing a story that's been waiting years to be told. Raw, real, unforgettable."

"I've spent time on boats, and let me tell you, open water has a way of stripping things down to the bone. Reading this brought all that back. The details, the tension, the sea itself... it's all there. I was born in '55, and this felt like stepping back into the 70s, with all the freedom and danger that came with it."

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Whether you’ve got a question about the book, want to talk shop, or feel like saying hi—I’d love to hear from you.