The Tennessee Music Scene

NASHVILLE, THE COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL

Hi Loves,  We’re leaving Nashville bound for Graceland RV Park on Elvis Presley Blvd in Memphis, about a four hour drive on Rte. 40!!!!  Of course, we plan to tour Elvis’ home and go to the Peabody Hotel where a flock of ducks march through the lobby of this magnificent Forbes Four Star, Four Diamond Hotel each day.  You never know when the parade will begin, the timing is at the whim of the ducks, so we may to spend some time in waiting.

Nashville was wonderful, so much history and country music.  The Country Music Awards were being held here, so it was too packed to see some of the best spots on the river.  But, here's a distant view.

♫   Everything in Nashville is COUNTRY ...  Even the Convention Center idowntown has very loud country music blaring out of a block’s worth of speakers.    ♪

          REMEMBER ... CLICK ON A PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT         

This is Broadway, one of the downtown main streets.  The city is a mix of humungous historical  buildings, small town main streets shops and modern high rises.  

This is the famous Tootsie's on Broadway

Below is the most historic and enormous building in the city.  It is just simply overwhelming and magnificent.  

Another colossal building which houses something called the Blue School.

and ... The Customs House.

This is plush plantation just south of town is where President Andrew Jackson called his home.

And this is the foyer.  Incredibly decadant. 

FRANKLIN, A CIVIL WAR TOWN 

Downtown Franklin is comprised of a 15-block historic district with a history that dates back more than 200 years.

It offers a historic main street experience with commemorative brick sidewalks, Victorian architecture, lush landscaping and beautifully restored historic buildings, 

The Town Square 

...  surrounded by Antebellum (meaning before the Civil War, like Gone with the Wind) mansions. 

 Beautiful parks

And ... a really great restaurant we had breakfast at.

I have learned a lot about the Civil War here in Tennessee.  The bloodiest battle of all was fought in Franklin.  In five hours of battle, 8000 people were killed in face to face combat.  All in the name of unity?  Freedom?  

Guess what my favorite place of all was ...

 The Grand Ole Opry which I visited in Dolly Parton style.

The new Country star entering the building

The artist's check in desk
















One of the performer's dressing rooms

The green room above and below.  The Opry House was flooded in May 2010.  The line on the wall below is the flood line, about 4 feet up in some places.  It took a lot of renovation and replacement to restore it all.  

the newest star performing to a sold out audience!

Ms. Minnie Pearl standing guard over her shoes.

These shots were taken at Grand Opry Pavillion.  They believe in BIG guitar...

 No other than Mr. Willie Nelson 

The Opry seats 4400 people.  They put on a live show 3 nights a week starring 5 to 7 artists that is broadcast in most metropolitan areas ... on WMS Radio AM.

I've been listening to non-stop country since I've been in Tennessee ... now I'm onto the Elvis Channel in preparation for going to Memphis.