Country Cruising is a country music cruise planned by Flying Dutchmen Travel. The first cruise was the Blake Shelton and Friends Cruise. There were plans for Country Cruising cruises in 2014, 2015, and 2017. The fifth cruise will take place Nov. 12-18 of this year. It is a six-day cruise on Royal Carribean’Cruise Lines’ Serenade of the Seas. The cruise will visit Key West, Belize and Cozumel. The headliners for this year’s cruise are Ronnie Milsap, Trace Adkins, Love and Theft, Neal McCoy, Brett Kissel and Montgomery Gentry. Chad Bushnell will be one of nearly 30 artists on this year’s cruise.
When did you start singing? I started singing at the age of 4. My dad played in a local country band and my great grandma played at church. I was fascinated by it at a young age.
How would you describe your music? Traditional country with an energetic and modern feel. Being born and raised in California, I feel there is some Bakersfield influence as well.
Who are your musical influences? Vince Gill, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks.
What is your favorite concert you have attended? Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson at the Cascade Theater in Redding, CA. in 2012. 5. What made it memorable? They both played solo acoustic (no band) and sang some of their best songs…some I had never heard.
What is your favorite place to perform? Historic State Theater in Red Bluff, CA. What do you like about it? It’s in my hometown where I was born and raised, I know most people that attend shows and I have been blessed to have opened for some of my country music heroes there.
Other than artists, who has been influential in your decision to become a singer? Mostly my family. My parents, sister, wife and extended family have encouraged me to keep pursuing my dream to be a full time country singer. My local fans keep me going with it as well.
What was the first song you wrote? Without You was the first song I wrote. I was on my way to a rodeo in high school, thinking about a girl and this is what I came up with.
What is your favorite original song? What was the inspiration behind it? Missin’ My Grandma. I had just lost my great grandma. She was a big part of my life and I played music with her at many church services and family get togethers. It was getting close to Christmas and I was having a hard time. I sat down in my music room and wrote the song in about an hour. It just came to me.
Anything else you would like to add? I want to thank my friends and fans in Petrolia, CA. for helping me be apart of this cruise, and all of my family and friends that help make what I do possible. Can’t wait to meet some new friends and fans on the cruise.
Where can people hear your music? My music is available on almost all online music stores. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1PVuReYDkwbdyP3DExaaN5 , Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rodeo-dance/142647115 , Nothin’ Quite Like Summer (Spotify Link): https://open.spotify.com/album/78wiNiz0Hwq648ebeDaaNd , What Would Jesus Do (Spotify Link): https://open.spotify.com/album/6989yGGaSMjUi4KZqHObJA , I will have cds and merchandise for sale on the cruise and of course it’s always available at all of my shows.
Have you played on Country Cruising before? No, this is my first year.
How will your shows on the ship be different than your regular shows? I will be throwing in some surprises in my shows on the cruise, I will be doing some giveaways and possibly be singing some brand new originals.
Which port are you looking forward to the most? Why? Key West, I’ve always wanted to visit there.
“Nothin’ Quite Like Summer” music video Facebook link (over half a million views): https://www.facebook.com/chadbushnellmusic/videos/2282818715171316/