Three young musicians, tearing up the road and traveling the world, are living the fast life filled with music, fans and drinking -- water, that is.

"We kind of lead incredibly boring lives," says James Nelson, one of the three voices that makes up the singing group the Celtic Tenors. "But we're not boring people," he recovers.

The Irish group, which has been touring in the United States since August, spends much of most days on its bus, driving to the next show, Nelson says. "We get up, have a healthy breakfast, and sometimes even go to the gym," he says in his lilting Irish accent. Then, they drive, have a soundcheck rehearsal in their new venue, do the show, meet and greet fans afterward, and then return to their hotel rooms. "At times it's very glamorous and lovely," Nelson says, but only at times.

Watching DVDs and playing some competitive Scrabble are favorite bus-ride pastimes, he says. And drinking more water.

Traveling with the trio are their guest soprano, 20-year-old Donna Malone; their musical director, Danny Sheridan, who plays piano with them; and their road manager/driver/therapist/dietician, Matt Svobodny, who is the sole non-Irishman among them. (He's from Fargo, N.D.) Everybody gets along well, says Nelson, because it's the only option. "If you're working in this kind of environment, you need to be a team player."

That very much applies to the Tenors, too. "There's no lead singer in the group," Nelson says, which prompts "except me" from the peanut gallery in the background on the phone. "We each get to have our moment to shine."

The Celtic Tenors are touted as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to come out of Ireland and were signed on the spot to an international record deal in London in 2000. Their show covers "a huge mix of genres," Nelson says, including Irish, Scottish, a cappella, opera and even pop music. "There really is something for everybody." And if there's a genre you don't like, hang in there -- it only has to be endured for a couple songs, he says.

"Sometimes people are put off by the word 'tenor,'" Nelson says, and even some by the word "Irish." But, he says, the show is a lot of fun, and people are often surprised at how much they enjoy it. Husbands brought to the show "under duress" end up being the most enthused fans, he says.

After their matinee performance Sunday, the Celtic Tenors will be joining concertgoers at a dinner program called Dining with the Stars. "I know! Who are the stars?" Nelson jokes. "We're intrigued by that."

The performance and dinner are put on by Live On Stage in NWA, a nonprofit organization whose live arts series plays at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville.

The Tenors, who perform four to six times per week, are always on the go, Nelson says. It's not easy being away from home so much, he admits, and he misses his family and the food, not the mention Ireland herself. "It is definitely greener at home," he says. "But we love being here as well," meeting different people and seeing new places, he adds.

The Celtic Tenors have sung in 40 states, and their Web site, celtictenors.com, has photos of Nelson with other tenors Matthew Gilsenan and Daryl Simpson, Malone and Sheridan all over the country, including in front of "Dorothy's House" in Liberal, Kan., and by a signpost for Route 66.

But this performance will be their first in Arkansas, Nelson says.

After they wrap up their American tour at the end of November, they will go straight to the Middle East for a tour, then home for Christmas, then back out touring in the Netherlands. "It's kind of non-stop," he says.

But it's a lot of fun, Nelson adds, which is critical in musical performance because it shows in the music if you don't love it. "There's no point in doing the job if you're not enjoying it."

Your voice is 2 inches of membrane in your throat, Nelson says, and you're depending on it for your living. "We barely drink, we certainly don't do drugs or smoke," he says. "We're clean-living Irish boys."

But the show promises to be fun anyway.

In Concert The Celtic Tenors Date & Showtime: 2 p.m. Sunday Venue: Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School Admission: $25 for adults, $5 for students, with an additional $18 for dinner For more information, call 855-9997.