October 2013 Newsletter
COUNTRY MUSIC CRUISE CONNECTION - OCTOBER 2013
In just 90 days, The Country Music Cruise will set sail with an unbelievable lineup of country music stars. We can hardly wait to see the incredible shows as Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Larry Gatlin, Patty Loveless, Jo Dee Messina, Restless Heart and so many more take The Country Music Cruise stage.
We are putting the finishing touches on our program and, in addition to the amazing live performances by these legends of Country Music, we will have over 20 special interactive celebrity events. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this cruise. But you better hurry if you want to get onboard, as the cruise is 80 percent sold and cabin sales continue to be brisk!
Plus, in this edition of the Country Music Connection, we’ll get to know another one of our favorite country music stars. Can you guess which artist came to Nashville to play baseball?
HURRY! The Cruise is 80% Sold
The cruise is already 80 percent sold, but there are still great cabins available and still time to take advantage of convenient payment options. Don’t miss your chance to sail with stars and connect with the best country music ever performed!
Cabin Rate Update and Special Offer for Florida Residents
Fan Favorite Pricing:
The CMC Fan Favorite Pricing, starting at just $1,925 for the Deluxe Inside Stateroom, is still in effect for as long as these cabins last.
Sail Now / Pay Later Payment Plans:
With the cruise just 90 days away, there is still time to S-T-R-E-T-C-H your payments out with our Sail Now / Pay Later Program. We want everyone who wants to join us for The Country Music Cruise '14 to be able to do so! Our telephones are ringing off the hook with lovely folks who want to sail but, with the holidays coming up, need just a little more time to make the payments.
One of the key elements of country music is making it work for everyone, so we have come up with a very special payment plan, which even includes a Sail Now / Pay Later feature. Contact us and let’s see what we can do.
Special Offer for Florida Residents:
If you reside in Central or Southern Florida, we will pick you up, take you right to the pier for The Country Music Cruise and take you home when the cruise is over…for FREE! The Country Music Cruise motor coaches will pick up guests at four Florida locations: Sarasota, Tampa / St. Petersburg, Daytona and Jupiter. The precise locations will be identified shortly. If you are interested in riding with us, contact the office at 888.852.9987 or email us at reservations@ecpcruises.com.
SHARE THE MUSIC – The Group Leader Program
Already booked? The only thing better than enjoying seven days of real country music on the high seas is sharing the experience with your loved ones. And what’s even better than sharing the music? Getting credit for doing so!
Take a minute to check out our group leader program, in which you have the opportunity to earn credits or cash against the price of your cabin by building the number of booked passengers in your group. More info...
Updates on Programming
In addition to the amazing music by the legends of Country Music, you’ll be treated to over 20 celebrity interactive events while onboard The Country Music Cruise. We are putting the final touches on the program, including cooking demonstrations with Lorianne Crook and Patty Loveless, a Gospel Hour with Larry Gatlin, and a touching tribute to the late George Jones. And you’ll also experience panel discussions, meet and greets, karaoke, dance contests and more.
Plus, our friends at the Grand Ole Opry will take us backstage for the inside scoop on country music’s most legendary stage and our friends at Jewelry Television will be onboard conducting special classes in the art of jewelry making.
An Interview with Larry Stewart
This month the Country Music Cruise Connection sat down with co-founder and lead singer of Restless Heart, Larry Stewart.
You came to Nashville to play baseball?
Yeah, some friends of my parents had a Belmont University coach come watch me. I hit two home runs that day. First and only time. That got me to Nashville. Then I just kinda detoured into the music business.
Any pick for the World Series?
I’m a big Cardinals fan. They’re playing so well for a young team.
Of all the artists on the cruise, I guess you’re closest to Vince Gill?
Vince was one of the first friends I had in the music business in Nashville, and this was way before either of us amounted to anything. We both put our first records out at the same time and for the same label, RCA. We got him in with our manager, Fitzgerald-Hartley, and he’s still there. We were touring together when he had that first Top Three hit, “When I Call Your Name,” with Patty (Loveless). He was opening for us, and we couldn’t allow him to open for us after that! We switched out. He’s been like a brother to me for a long, long time. We play golf, go to hockey games, go to basketball games.
We’re having a tribute night to George Jones. Do you have any special memories of George?
Oh man, what can you say about George Jones that hasn’t been said? He was the most soulful singer in the history of country music. No question. Greatest singer in the history of country music. No question. But the thing I remember is that he was so nice to everyone. We came along in the ’80s with long hair, and you can bet he didn’t like our music at all, but he was just always so nice and so encouraging to us.
Restless Heart formed thirty years ago this year, and you’ve been out this year on your Still Restless Tour. Is it ongoing?
Oh, yeah. We have some more dates this year, and then we’re doing a Christmas tour. Best of all, we’re having fun. The original five guys, still at it and still having fun!
On the cruise, can we expect any songs from your solo career?
We usually do my biggest solo hit, “Alright Already.” It’s a shuffle, and shuffles are always fun to play and dance to.
Can Restless Heart fans expect any new music in the near future?
Yes, we have our first Christmas album out on Oct. 29. It only took us thirty years to get that done! It’s on Red River Entertainment. And right now we’re discussing a new album of all new songs for 2014. Our goal is to have it out in the first half of the year, so we’re all looking forward to getting back in the studio. It’s been too long!
Have you ever been on a cruise before?
Never have. Never been to any of the stops, either. Three of the guys from Restless Heart did a cruise right after we split up in 1994, but I’ve never been on a cruise either as a performer or a traveller. It’ll be a great week, and I’m really looking forward to it. So are all the guys. We’ll be looking in on the other artists, seeing all the shows we’re not on, and meeting the fans face-to-face. We can’t wait!
Make JTV.com Your First Port of Call for Style Savvy & Cruise-Perfect Jewelry
You want your jewelry to make a splash everywhere you go, especially on your Country Music Cruise! That’s why CMC is pleased to announce a very special partnership with JTV.com. Ranked one of the largest multichannel retailers of jewelry and gemstones in the U.S., Jewelry Television® (JTV) is the destination for all your jewelry needs, on land or sea.
Anchor every onboard and excursion look, day or evening, with statement-making pieces from JTV’s Cruise Wear Collection featuring two new and exciting brands: Spirit by Elle and Sparkle by Richard Simmons®.
Chic and feminine, Spirit by Elle has a mix–and-match sensibility that makes creating different looks for different occasions a breeze. Crafted of luxurious bronze that is bathed in rhodium, each sturdy and highly reflective piece offers easy elegance for dinner at eight or a show at nine.
Having designed custom jewelry for years, first for his mother and then for close friends, Richard Simmons infused his zest for life and his effervescent personality into the Sparkle collection. From casually fun flower motif rings and inspirational angel pendants, to glamorous statement necklaces and earrings, the Sparkle collection is sure to capture attention on the promenade deck or the dance floor.
Other must-pack, port-perfect pieces from JTV are from the Artisan Collections of India, Israel, Taxco and Turkey. Culturally diverse, they feature natural gemstones that are set in handmade sterling silver by artists who have a passion for creating jewelry that transcends time. These designs speak volumes about your sophistication and flair for the dynamic.
Other jewelry lines to cruise and peruse before for your trip include JTV’s best-selling Bella Luce®, Vanna K for Bella Luce®, Monika Friend®, Carolina Amato, Beria®, Off Park®, Stratify® and Pearlfection™ collections. Even better, several items are priced well under $75, so you can look like a million dollars without spending a fortune. Click here to start shopping and to receive a special savings offer now. Bon Voyage! Shop JTV Cruise Collection.