“Making Memories of Us”

Keith Urban has a song called “Making Memories of Us” and the title is appropriate for this past week since I have just experienced a memorable week aboard the Celebrity “Reflection.” Keith Urban was the headliner on the Top Shelf Country Cruise. I am a fan of his, and I was a total fan of all that happened all week on the cruise ship!🛳️

I had signed up for the Country Music cruise as soon as I heard about it on the Bobby Bones Show months ago. So, for a long time I had been anticipating, waiting for the week long cruise, out of Florida, with artists (besides Urban) Scotty McCreery, Lee Brice, Parmalee, LeAnn Rhimes, Cassie Ashton, and more. 🤠 ❤️ The whole Bobby Bones Studio morning show people were going to be there too: Amy, Eddie, Lunchbox, Raymondo, Morgan, and Scuba Steve. Crook & Chase were also there and they led some interviews.

I booked a room for two people, and then when hubby didn’t seem too interested in going (what is wrong with him?!?), I invited my bestie Sue, who was my cruise partner way back in the early 80’s. She and I went on a couple of cruises together before our marriages, kids, etc. So, it was a reunion of sorts for us! She said yes – let’s do it! 👍

But…

The truth: Before the cruise Sue was not really a country music listener. 👎 She knew of some ‘old school’ names but not many artist names from today’s country music. But, god bless her, she was happy to accompany me anyway, and to experience it all ‘through my eyes.’ 💖 And, perhaps she even got a little bit of appreciation for the genre during the week on board the ship. I think so. I hope so.

Why was she not big into country music before now? Well, before, but especially now, during these divided times, country music is often put into one category. Those who don’t listen to it, sometimes rightfully think it’s just a bunch of hillbilly music, and “white music” with a lack of tolerance, with gun toting, beer drinking rednecks, loudmouths, and people who don’t speak for the rest of the country. It’s a ‘southern thing.’ I get it. There are some country artists that sing those types of songs – and there are listeners who find them appealing. But, and it is a big but, many country artists are truly all about acceptance, and inclusion, and believing in women’s rights, and are against what is happening in our country right now. They are like me. They think like me. If you give yourself the chance and listen you will find that country music writers use lyrics for all kinds of topics. ☮️ ❤️

I’m not gonna lie that I worried a little bit about Lee Brice, one of the big names to perform on the ship, because he had just come out with a new song that he first sang at the ‘alternative halftime’ by Turning Point. I thought the song lyrics were wrong, and divisive, and it supported the old stereotypes. One line was about wanting ‘girls being girls and boys being boys’ (the conservatives seem to have a big issue about trans people these days. 🤷‍♀️), and the song also had lyrics about being worried that his favorite things (fishing, hunting, etc.) were gonna be taken away. (By whom I’m not sure…). I debated boycotting his concert on the cruise, but I do like a lot of his other songs, especially “I drive his Truck.” So, I went to his show on board – and, yes, he sang the song I wished he had not. I’d say half the audience stood up, cheered loudly at the end, and chanted “USA,USA”. The other half sat, did nothing. No standing. No clapping. Like me.

Yes, just like everywhere else, there is division in the country music community.

But it is still a community!!

Thankfully the rest of the time on the ship, all week long, all the guests were in a really festive party mood celebrate 🎉 and had spirit (helped by the spirits they drank – ha), and together we all enjoyed the whole experience. Sue and I met lovely people from different places around the country. Everyone was friendly! I’d say the cruise leaned to an older group of people because it was a pricey trip. The cost covered all the artists, the people on board who did all the sound and lights, etc., the Top Shelf promotion company staff who put the concerts and events on, the really wonderful Celebrity Cruise staff, the amazing food, and other fun activities. Live music 🎶 happened on the ship almost all the time – either in the smaller bars or out on the large open-air pool deck that held a big stage. Keith Urban played at an amphitheater just off the dock where the ship was tied up in Nassau. Just steps away. The concert was only for our cruise guests. There were at most only 3000 people. If you have ever seen Keith Urban you know that his shows are ALWAYS amazing! 👏 👏 He is so talented and entertaining!! This one was as well.

So – The Top Shelf Country Cruise on the “Reflection” was a really fun and unique experience, just as my CMA Festival trips to Nashville in the past have been. Both let me experience lots of country music with fellow music fans who ‘get it’ and get each other. 🤠 🎶 Music brings people together. Music makes people happy!

If interested, I have posted some pictures and a few videos on my Facebook page. I sound like I should be on the cruise promotion team – ha!! All I can say is good things about the experience on board. We even had smooth seas and beautiful weather! ☀️

So – it was wonderful to share a room, and all of it with bestie Sue and to make more ‘memories together for us!’ I’m sure she got tired of me saying who sang what song all the time as the speakers around the ship constantly played country music. But she handled it well and I appreciated her ‘hanging in there’ with me. And maybe she accepted country music a bit more. But if not, our friendship is none the less… and in fact, it’s even one more awesome experience and memory for us to have together. 😁 ❤️