Howdiee! Saying hello & goodbye to Nashville

Minnie Pearl (look alike) from our seats in the Grand Ole Opry

What a great city.  Memphis is struggling, but Nashville is doing everything right and it shows.  The music industry is thriving.  Song publishing, recording studios, performance venues, new convention center, state of the art.  Even public art on display next to the confederate heroes the city honors.

In the heart of downtown, close to the river front, the mayor commissioned a bronze statue as a tribute to Nashville's music.  During the installation the statue was draped and hidden from view pending the unveiling.  The whole town came out for the event; families spread picnic cloths, every dignitary came prepared to give speeches, town celebrities sang in celebration.  Then, when everyone was hushed, when you could feel the anticipation in the very air, the artist drape came down revealing the celebratory bronze: 8 totally nude statues, male and female, in dance form--this in a town that has more churches than bars (I'm not sure that's 100% accurate.)  They have a new mayor.

On the way to Nashville from Memphis we visited both the Belle Meade Plantation (3 star, not really worth the time/ticket price), and the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson, our 8th president (5 star).  Lots of contradictions in Jackson who was a slave owner who understood that if you didn't sell your slaves off, if you kept grandfathers, fathers, sons, and children together, they would work harder and would be less likely to run away.  Same for allowing them to work their own patch of land.  But he still owned them, housing was humble, rations adequate, whippings happened.  The cotton gin, instead of saving the hands that picked the cotton, increased the need to plant and harvest 4 times more cotton in order to feed the gin.  Interesting perspective, well done museum.

Then into Nashville for a whirlwind few days.  Broadway & 2nd--music is everywhere, from the light posts, out of every lounge up and down the streets.  The tradition is to play and sing for tips.  That's even how Randy Travis and Willie Nelson began.  There is so much talent, even the street musicians, who couldn't get into a lounge to play, are very good.  Everyone is working, waiting for their song to hit.  Songwriters reign here where everyone sings and plays multiple instruments.

We had a lot of highlights during our short stay.  Country Music Hall of Fame is a WOW.  We spent four hours and could have been there longer.  The history of Country Music from its beginnings to present day, well documented, a variety of genres, artifacts, music, story, and film all come together.  We learned so much, remembered some, got in touch with performers whose songs we'd sung.  Great visit.

Opryland is a world of its own.  We did the backstage tour and sat in the mezzanine for a live on the air radio show performed for radio audiences around the world.  Everyone goes to the Grand Ole Opry.  Dress is whatever costume you want. We saw a patch work quilted coat in many colors, in an extra large (not too pretty, but did make us think of Dolly Parton's hit--A Coat of Many Colors).  At the other extreme were tall, slender cowgirls in heeled tooled leather boots and black Stetson rhinestone trimmed hats.  A great show on and off stage.

We finished our brief visit to Nashville with a Red Neck Comedy Bus Tour of the city--what a hoot.   This evening, after some much needed rest, we went to a local lounge for an evening of music and beer.  The menu included some Tennessee staples--Fried Bologna Sandwich (Sliced Bologna Slightly Grilled, Served on Bread With Lettuce & Tomato--$4.50) and Grilled Cheese (Three Slices of American Cheese Served on Grilled Toast-$4.00).  Appetizers were all fried incluidng Fried Pickle Spears (6 Large Pickle Spears Breaded & Fried Served With Ranch-$5.50 and Yucca Fry Basket-$4.75.  I promise you I am not making this up.  We drank beer.

So so long to Nashville, and onto Jack Daniels Distillery and another local Bourban maker, Dickels, before we get to Chattanooga.

Grand Old Opry turns 80, Stu's only going to be 70!