Nashville Yeeeeehaaaaaa!!!!

Having finished our Natchez Trace journey full of the serenity of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennesee we arrived at Nashville by 8.30pm and booked in to our Hotel.......we contemplated rest but were out in search of food and fun by 9.30.

Entertainment and dining in the Country Music Capital seems to be based around Broadway so that area was the destination that was put into Mrs G. Getting to the general area was relatively easy but some construction at a critical moment put her into somewhat of a tizz. Luckily for the CuRVy (and the Frosty's) the pilot was able to overcome those difficulties and we found a space in a Parking Lot on Broadway.

After the quiet of the past few days Broadway was in a word LOUD with amplified country music coming from everywhere around us and everyone in sight, no matter what their clothes and wearing boots. Hmmmmm what to to?

Retreating from the cacophony of country we headed for the relative quiet of a sports bar for a meal. Surrounded by at least 6 big screen televisions broadcasting 2 NBA (basketball) games, 2 NHL (Ice Hockey) games and 2 fights we tucked into an overdue meal and a drink. 

Meal was was nice and tasty, though finding low saturated fat options proved difficult, however the drink was needed and time away from boots and hats was necessary.With thirsts and hunger satisfied we returned to Broadway for a while before we punched "recently found" into Mrs G and made our way home to bed for a well earned rest.

Next morning refreshed after almost enough sleep and another hearty hotel breakfast we returned to Nashville and started our day at the Visitors Centre. After gathering more help, pamplets and maps we headed straight to the nearby Ryman Auditorium where we asked about and purchased tickets for that night's show at the Grand Ole Opry. 

The self guided tour of the Auditorium was great and gave us far more insight into Country Music than either of us previously had and it left us looking forward to the return to Broadway in daylight hours and later to the show we'd booked for that night.

Checking one last time on what we'd booked we realised the tickets were actually for another venue! The Grand Ole Opry is at a venue of its own! Oh well luckily we didn't find that out when we turned up at the door that night!!!! We have a little bit to learn about Country music.

Armed with information we gathered from a performer we'd heard at Pam'n John's @ Cadgee, we headed back to Broadway and re-entered Roberts Western World  bought a Miller Hi Life and Woodchuck Pear Cider and sat back. Dave Cox, who apart from singing "Ring of Fire",  entertained us with an hour of his songs and acoustic guitar. His songs were both entertaining and melancholy (we are in Nashville) but "My Neighbours' Ass" stood out! Lol!!!!

Next stop was the institution that is Tubbs Record Store and although there were many, many temptations we managed to escape before we spent the rest of our US funds although a recently remastered double CD of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" will be keeping us singing for a little while! It has been a long time since I've seen such a great collection of CD's, DVD's, books, posters, sheet music, and records. And by the way they were RECORDS!!!!!

Hunger pains were reminding us that it had been quite a while since we enjoyed breakfast and there was no shortage of variety in the culinary treats on offer, especially if you enjoyed BBQ or Ribs or Burgers, or Fries!!!! Or all or them at once as many of the people in the street seemed to have enjoyed!!!!

Lunch was at  Jack's BBQ. Pork for Julie & Turkey for Frosty, nice food and a reasonable atmosphere but we were really here for the music so we headed back onto Broadway.

Listened to a band at  the Second Fiddle but it was similar to some of the fare of the night before so we found a quieter venue and listened to music from a duo/ trio at another bar before roaming the busy streets for a while.

Two city blocks were blocked off for pre game entertainment before a Nashville Predators (Ice) Hockey game that was being played that night. We could have bought scalped tickets but we already had our night planned so we gave up the chance to go to the game. It's kind of difficult to get enthused about a winter sport when it's around 38C (100F).

Saying goodbye to Broadway was difficult but we had to get home and into our finery for the Grand Ole Opry. Yeehaw!!! We arrive at our customary time, fashionably late and took our seats and for the next two hours we were astounded at the quality of the show.

In total 12 acts played 2 numbers each with time in between each act for a live advertisement ( the show is broadcast live on Radio 650AM WSM) and banter between the musicians and the hosts. We left stunned at the fabulous music and super- slick production in a great venue!

Our great night only got better when due to a Random Act of Kindness from great looking couple, we were offered their tickets to the Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour. What an unbelievable end to our only full day in Nashville.

We were tired and happy little vegemites that night!!!