Retired country singer joins trend by releasing sea shanty dance track A RETIRED country singer is hoping to jump on board with a worldwide trend by releasing a sea shanty dance track to mark his 70th birthday. Sea shanties, once commonly sung to accompany rhythmical labour aboard large merchant sailing vessels, have become an unlikely global hit after a resurgence on social media. Now Steve Travis, who has released many albums with several record labels during his decades-long career, has decided to join the trend in aid of a good cause. Mr Travis, from Colchester, is hoping his new track, a dance mix single of his sea shanty Billy O’Shea, will raise money for a horse rescue centre owned and run by his daughter Emma.