The Night Lights of Nashville

 

Nashville Country Music Capital  

 

The drive from Memphis to Nashville was a wet and scary adventure. We probably picked the wrong time of year to explore the countryside. We slowed our travel down considerably with sheets of rain rolling across our windshield. 

 

 

 

 

Nights & Lights Tour
Nashville is a lovely city that reminds me very much of my home city of Sacramento.  After my appointments we decided to tour the city that evening by Grayline Tour bus.  We signed up for the lights of Nashville tour and were very pleased with our guide Brian who was a retired history teacher and budding storyteller. The Nashville Nights & Lights Tour is the perfect way to see Nashville.

http://graylinetn.com/services/sightseeing/nashville-nights-lights

 

We started the tour with dinner at Rippy's BBQ a local staple for awesome ribs.  The place was crowded, but they brought us next door where a prefix dinner was offered.  Other groups were also dining there and the atmosphere was lively.

 

 

They served flat pancake like cornbread, ribs with your choice of a sweet sauce and spicy sauce (that they make in house). We also had sausage slices that were yummy, shredded pork, coleslaw (I liked it as it was all minced into small bits and blended nicely with light dressing) and really creamy baked beans - ah yum!

 

http://rippysbarandgrill.com/

 

Next a quick check of Tootsies  because of it's reputation.  Tootsies is a country western bar that is always filled to overflowing. It can be a little shocking to find out that that it is so small and rundown, but if you sure can appreciate it's history- many country entertainers got their start here.  There on the wall behind the band are photos of many of those who payed there before they became famous.  I can't believe it but they have live music from Live music from 11 am through 2:30 am.

 



http://www.tootsies.net/




Down from Rippy's a short walk to Ernest Tubb, nicknamed the “Texas Troubador”, Record Store.  Ernest was a pioneer of country music in Nashville and his store carries CD's and music









Next we (nine in our group) boarded a small bus and tour guide Brian recounted the old buildings in the downtown and stories of the businesses that occupy those structures. We saw the waterfront that was stunning at dark with the beautiful bridge all lit up.  We saw historical sites, the states capital, college campuses, Historic Riverfront Park, the Ryman Auditorium, Schermerhorn Symphony Hall, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the State Capitol,  Bicentennial Mall, LP Field (home to the Tennessee Titans), The Parthenon in Centennial Park, country music business district and several downtown parks.

One interesting thing about centennial park: the east side of the park features the Walkway of Counties that contains a time capsule from each of Tennessee's 95 counties. These time capsules will not be opened until the Tercentennial in 2096. More information:http://images.enhancements.org/1-Ped-Bike-Facilities/Bicentennial-Mall-Nashville-TN/8742687_LJpCVr/578368327_zVZfHBp#!i=578368327&k=zVZfHBp


I also liked the "Pathway of history" a 1,400-foot Wall of History engraved with historic events that have occurred over the past two centuries. A granite pylon marks each ten-year period along the wall. The wall 'breaks' at the time of the Civil War to represent the divisive nature of the war on the state.Read the engraved items from the Wall of History (pdf)

http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/historical/index.shtml

 

Not only is Reba McIntyre  beautiful, and great country singer, comic, television star and actor on Broadway she looks like she might be a savvy business woman too.  This Queen of Country, having sold more than 70 million records worldwide has an office building on country music row

What a great way to see the city, learn the history and hear the stories to really bring a familiar feeling to a much talked about town.  Last stop is filled with fun as you get your boots to scootin’ to the live music of Honky Tonk Row enjoying free time in downtown Nashville.

This was a 5 hour tour, but with all the difficult driving, meetings and travel I did that day we asked Brian if we could call it a night as he dropped the group off at Tootsies to experience the night life.  He, in his Tennessee way, smiled and said he'd be glad to obliged us and would drop us right to the hotel. What a wonderful night

 

Next visit I am planning to visit:

 

Grand Ole Opry2802 Opryland Drive

Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 871-OPRY
opry.com
Every week, the Grand Ole Opry takes the excitement of a live audience, the heritage of the world’s longest-running radio show and an incredible mix of talent to the world, broadcasting it live over 650 WSM-AM, Sirius Satellite Radio, Opry.com and Great American Country (cable TV). What was originally known as the WSM Barn Dance and broadcast live from a modest studio in downtown Nashville has evolved into a multi-media music production with some of today’s most talented artists. In its early days, while the program was growing in popularity and audience size, the Grand Ole Opry moved from venue to venue before settling in at the famous Ryman Auditorium. After more than 30 years at the Ryman, the program made its home at the Grand Ole Opry House, just a few miles from downtown Nashville.