Character Interview with Bailey Bennett ~ Julie Lence

Greetings, readers. I’m hanging out backstage at Ringo’s Casino with country music’s sweetheart, Bailey Bennett. She’s just finished the day’s rehearsals for her summer tour and has agreed to chat with me before a costume fitting. Following her into her dressing room, I expected to find numerous photos of Bailey hanging on the walls and many of her awards littering tables. But such is not the case. The only photograph on the cream-colored walls is a painting of cowboys galloping across a field, and except for a glass of tea, the two small tables flanking the plush sofa are bare. A wardrobe on wheels hugs the wall directly across from the sofa, the hangars holding various western shirts and denims. A makeup chair faces the lighted mirror on the back wall, the shelves below the mirror housing an array of makeup, brushes, and hair products. Bailey gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa, then sits next to me.           

Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon, Bailey. My readers are eager to know you better. “My pleasure.” She gestures to the small refrigerator in the front corner. “Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea or soda.”

 I decline the offer and get right to the questions.  

Tell us a bit about The Singer Ropes A Cowboy.  The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is the tale of how Chip and I met. He’s my better half, and my favorite person in the entire world. My twin sister, Barbie, is a close second. Chip and I met last fall in New York City. Barbie and I were in Manhattan to buy Bella Cosmetics, something she’s wanted for a long time. I was also in the city to look over a racehorse at Belmont Park. My sister-in-law said the filly loathed racing and was in need of a good home. Chip was working Belmont that day I went to see Potent Polly, and by his side was a mangy looking pinto. He explained someone had abused her and he was nursing her back to health. He also was quick to inform me Polly was enamored with the pinto and wouldn’t leave her side, hence if I purchased Polly and brought to the family ranch in Reno, the pinto would come, too.

In my initial meeting Chip, it was easy to see he had a way with horses. The abused pinto adored him and Polly did, too. To make the acclimation from Belmont to Reno as easy as possible for the horses, I hired Chip to come with us. Not only did I find his softness for the pair endearing, his dark eyes and muscles were irresistible. Looking back on those few days in the city, I have to say that even though Chip and I started off on the wrong foot, asking him to come to Reno with me was the best decision I’ve ever made. Life without him isn’t worth living.        

What did you think the 1^st time you saw Chip?  That morning at Belmont, she begins, running her fingers through her long dark hair, I was instantly attracted to his rugged handsomeness and his muscles. But then, he spoke, and something in his tone suggested he knew me… that he believed some or all of the gossip surrounding me. I tried to put him at ease, get him to smile, but he rebuked my efforts and made it clear there was nothing I could do or say to change his opinion of me. Funny thing is, even when he was glaring at me, I couldn’t seem to stop my stomach from somersaulting.    

What was your 2^nd thought?  That I should keep my distance, but then, keeping the two horses together was a concern, and with the pinto only trusting Chip, I thought it best to ask him to hire on with me… until I ran into him at a nightclub. His sneer for me and the cameras that night was worse than at the track, and something inside was sure him and I working together was most definitely not a good idea. I said my goodbyes and promised myself to steer clear of him. But those dark eyes… and those muscles…  (Bailey inhales sharply.)

Anyway, Chip needed the job I offered that night at club, to help his family, and wormed his way into my good graces. I still had reservations, but as Barbie was quick to point out, my attraction for Chip wasn’t going to fade any time soon, that he was the 1^st man I took an interest in since breaking off with John. She urged me to bring him to Reno, to give him a chance to prove there was more to him than brawn and a never-ending glare. And if not, I could always send him back to New York. I took her advice, and never regretted it.  

What do you like most about Chip? His honesty. His dedication to his family, and to me. Whether I’m at his side or thousands of miles away, I know he loves me. I feel his commitment to me deep in my bones.     

How would you describe Chip? Kind, caring, trustworthy. Patient with the world I live in. Protective, hard-working; a man who was born to take care of animals.       

How would Chip describe you? Hmmm… (She pauses for a sip of tea. From the glass I noticed on the table upon entering the room.)  Full of anxiety… impatient… unease. I think he understands it took many years for me realize the type of fame I have, to learn how to live within the realm of the entertainment industry while keeping as much of my personal life as I can out of the tabloids. I’m sure he would be quick to say I’m also dedicated to my family and my horses, but above all, he would say I love him with everything that I am.    

What is your biggest fear? At the moment, life is good. Beyond anything I imagined my teenage years. I have money, and a comfortable home. If I woke up tomorrow and found my voice was gone, I’d wouldn’t care, because I know in my heart that no matter what the future brings, Chip will always love me.    

How do you relax? I take a few weeks off in the fall from singing to unwind, usually at Bennett Ranch. Just recently, Chip and I vacationed in Italy over the new year. I’m thinking him and I in Hawaii to usher in the next new year.   

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Well… she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip for a long moment. You can’t tell Chip, but I see him and me married and living in our own home somewhere on Bennett Ranch. I’m still turning out albums and touring during the summer months. Our son accompanies me on the tour bus so Chip can finish his schooling while tackling the ins and outs of opening his own veterinary office.  

Thank you for talking with me this afternoon, Bailey. I’m sure my readers have a better understanding of who you are and look forward to reading your story.

The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is available through Amazon in both E-book and paperback. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1J88PH 

 

  

Christmas Music

courtesy of: www.undergroundopera.com.au

Growing up with two brothers and one sister, Christmas was always a fun time of year. We’d go to the mall and see Santa Claus, drive to the tree farm and cut down our tree (usually in the snow), bring it home and decorate it with the paper chains we had made. Mom would set out the Nativity, and Christmas music would play on the stereo. We sang along with Gene Autry and Mitch Miller, hemmed and hawed and turned our noses at Grandpa’s collection of hymns sung in German by the German choir. I have no clue where those records are today, but one thing I know for sure is when I listen to Christmas music, I’m easily transported back to the days of old, to the timeless music I loved as a child.

courtesy of:

www.churchhousecollection.com

Silent Night is my overall favorite. The lyrics to the hymn were penned by Joseph Mohr in 1816. Joseph was a young priest in Mariapfarr, Austria when he drafted the poem, ‘Stille, Nacht! Heilige Nacht!’ On December 24, 1818, Joseph visited Franz Gruber, his musician-schoolteacher friend who lived in Arnsdorf, and asked him to create music for his poem so that it could be sung at midnight mass. Joseph’s reason for asking Franz to put music to the words is unknown and often speculated, but that night ‘Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!’ was heard for the first time, with Joseph strumming the notes on his guitar. 

 

courtesy of: bingfan03.blogspot.com

White Christmas is my second favorite Christmas song. Written by Irving Berlin, many believe White Christmas was written for and first sung in the movie by the same name, which starred Bing Crosby, but that is untrue. White Christmas was first sung by Bing Crosby on his NBC show, the Kraft Music Hall, on December 25, 1941. In 1940, Irving Berlin had been hired to write a song for each holiday, to include a Christmas song for the movie, Holiday Inn. Being Jewish, he found it difficult to write Christmas music and used his own New York and Los Angeles experiences concerning the holiday to write the song. When finished, Berlin believed the song wasn’t that good. Crosby felt differently and sang it on his show. Since there were no recordings to be found after the war of Crosby’s initial singing, Crosby recorded the song for Decca in May of 1942. White Christmas made its movie debut in Holiday Inn’s August 1942 release. The film, White Christmas, was released in 1954. 

 

courtesy of: 929thelake.com

All I Want for Christmas Is You by Vince Vance and the Valiants comes in at number three. I first heard this song back in the 90’s and instantly liked it. It took a few years, but I finally found the album and enjoy most of the songs on there. Vince Vance (aka Andy Stone)is the leader of the group. Andy and Troy Powers wrote the tune and Lisa Layne provided the lead vocals. Layne was hired by Vance as a Valiantette when Vance happened upon her performing with her own band. Though the song was recorded and released in 1989, it didn’t do very well on the charts. Eventually, the tune crossed over to the country music genre and gained in popularity. No doubt, country music is where I initially heard it. A few country artists have recorded their own versions, but I like Layne’s the best. Her vocals lend much more power and emotion to the song than anyone else’s. 

Like most people, there are other Christmas songs that I like. However, the list is too long to do them justice as far as research and getting the facts right. Whatever your favorite(s), I wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season.