I know there have been several posts here on Inspy Romance regarding travel research and specifically cruises. Today I have the pleasure of adding to those posts with a story of my own.
The indie book I’m currently writing, the second in my Last Chance Ranch series, is called Serenaded by the Singer, and it, is about…you guessed it…a singer. Country and Western, to be precise, although I love nearly every genre of music. I haven’t had many opportunities to write about celebs because the line I write for at Harlequin prefers everyday people (cowboys, anyone?). So doing an indie book is super exciting for me.
Especially because I knew precisely where to go for the background research I needed.
On a cruise. Because that’s where I met up with my dear friends The Texas Tenors.
They’ve generously offered to answer any questions I may have as I work through the book. I took copious notes throughout the cruise, but the BEST part for me was listening.
Marcus Collins…the CONTEMPORARY tenor
JC Fisher…the ROMANTIC tenor
John Hagen…THE tenor!
You see, after being nearly deaf for almost my whole life, I finally got hearing aids a few months ago and they have Changed. My. World.
Larry…who plays…everything…and then some.
Josh the Amazing Piano Man
Ryan the DRUMMER!
I talked to the drummer about why he has a glass “cage” around him (so the sound guy can turn up the tenors’ microphones without being drowned out by the drummer…even though I ***love*** drummers). I listened to the stories that went along with the songs each tenor sang during a VIP karaoke-ish party on Valentine’s day. AND I watched and listened in amazement to Josh, the pianist who just went with it. Some Enchanted Evening? No problem. Country, pop, opera…you name it, he could play it right off the top of his head. How awesome is that? He’s going to be a hero in a book someday.
I heard stories about how at one venue, the tenors were doing their usual choreography for God Bless the U.S.A., stepping forward to the front of the stage, when all of the sudden a shower of fireworks sparked up from beneath their feet. Whoa, baby. That was a close one, and the story had me in stitches.
No, this exact incident isn’t going into my book, but it sparked (pun fully intended) an idea that will be in a scene. And they use a dog in their show at Christmas, which is where I got the idea for the book in the first place.
Six months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to hear those stories. They would have been nothing more than gibberish to me as I sat smiling and laughing at what I hoped were appropriate times.
But the best part of all for me was my very first concert with my hearing aids. Even mostly deaf, The Texas Tenors are heaven on earth. But sitting in the front row (thanks to our friend Sylvia who saved us seats because my hubby Joe walks with a cane and couldn’t hobble fast enough to get a good seat in a VIP free-for-all) and enjoying every nuance of the live music—all I can say is I didn’t know what I was missing until I was giving the gift of hearing.
We didn’t do a bunch of expensive excursions, but rather just enjoyed the journey…and the music. And for the record? Writing while enjoying the sea air out on the balcony of a cruise ship is ahh-mazing, and I thank God every day for allowing me the privilege of doing what I’ve dreamed of since I was a small child.
And I thank God once again for my hearing. Because I didn’t even realize what I was missing.
Want to know when Serenaded by the Singer and other books come out?
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~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Wow it must be so wonderful to hear again. (I have the other issue I hear to well and find I have to wear earplugs and still would struggle at a concert due to a condition which gives me constant migraines with noise a major trigger).
I am so glad you could listen and hear the music and enjoy it. I am also glad you got to hear the stories and got inspiration.
I have seen and read some of your LI books.
Hi Deb! Wow thanks for sharing your life changing and research stories! Glad you had a great cruise experience with the Texas Tenors. My aunt Louise and a girl friend were hard of hearing with hearing aids. Best wishes.
What a beautiful story! I can’t wait to read the book!
Hi Deb, how awesome that you could go on a cruise, write outside and HEAR great music:) Hearing aids are such a blessings, I am so glad you have them.
My oldest son has unilateral hearing loss, it amazes me how people do not realise the huge impact this has on everyday activities and learning. He wears a special hearing aid in the classroom- his teacher wears a mic that transmits straight to the hearing aid in the ear that has hearing. Without that device, school would be a lot more challenging for him.
Blessings:)
What an awesome post, Deb, and thank you for sharing your story with us!
Thanks for sharing the happy news that you can hear! I will look forward to the comical scene(s) in the book!
Sounds like a fabulous way to work. :-)
What a treat! It sounds like you had a great time.
What an amazing gift that God has allowed you to have. I have heard these men sing a couple of times and loved them. So glad you had a great time and you could do research at the same time.
So happy for you to HEAR! My issue has always been sight – I’ve worn glasses since I was three, and have had additional struggles in the past few years with vision. I sometimes tease my husband that he’d rather it was my hearing that left the building, since he likes music/movies loud, and I’m constantly asking him to turn things down!
What a blessing that you were able to hear everything on this cruise. I’m so happy you have the hearing aids. I love watching the entertainment on cruises, trying to figure out their “story.”
The Texas Tenors have become very dear friends of ours and we go see them every chance we get. You can’t find a nicer group of men anywhere. And their voices…sigh!
God is so good in giving you back your hearing! So much easier to here the every day miracles going on around you that a lot of take for granted such as a bird singing or the laughter of children playing. Blessings to you!
So thankful you received hearing aids. I love music and am so thankful I can listen to all types. How fun that you were able to enjoy the cruise and write at the same time. I look forward to you new book!
Your book sounds interesting. I am always thankful for modern medical advances ,inhalers for me so I can breath, hearing aids for you to hear. God bless your writing. Your cruise sounds delightful.
How amazing to go on a cruise and hearing music. What a blessing.
Great news about the hearing. And thanks for the info on why there is glass cage around the drummer. I always wondered.
Fun post! It’s wonderful that hearing aids have given you such a gift. I’m trying to convince my husband to try them.
Deb–What a great story! I love this. I imagine their voices were like listening to heaven. Thank you for sharing with us.
I need to do some research! Booking a cruise…lol