Nashville – Claire's Blog

30th November 20189th August 2021

Home Sick?

Friday 30th November 2018

We had a late afternoon flight home, so after a last breakfast at the Frothy Monkey we left our bags in the good hands of the hotel and headed down to the Honkey Tonks.

After listening in at a couple we ended up in one of our favourites, Roberts Western World, more traditional style of country music.

One artist had only just started their set, so we had their company for 3 hours, with some hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. What a great way to spend our last few hours.

Some great pedal steel, my favourite.

Unfortunately all too soon we headed back to the hotel to reclaim our bags, grab a cab and off to the airport for our flight home. On the flight home we were treated to this very unusual and special sun rise.

29th November 20189th August 2021

Out In The Suburbs

Thursday 29th November 2018

We were up a little earlier for our pancake breakfast this morning. Wendy went into the office afterwards while I headed back to the hotel and read for a while.

In the afternoon we went to the Country Music Hall Of Fame, which is huge and there are some amazing costumes on display and Elvis’ gold plated car.

Wendy’s friend, Kendal, met us in out hotel bar when she had finished work for an hour or so before we headed out of downtown to Madison. We went to a place called Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge in the suburbs to watch Sam Outlaw. It is a local country club, very traditional. A great experience, Sam has just moved to the area and this was the last show of him one month residency. He only sang one original song the rest were covers unfortunately. One of the many guest singers was Aaron Lee Tisjan, what a treat.

When we got back to the hotel we had to pack up our suitcases ready to head home tomorrow 🙁 Slight panic when Wendy weight her suitcase at 32kg (limit is 23!), but as we both lifted it easily decided must be error on scales.

28th November 20189th August 2021

Bit Of History

Wednesday 28th November 2018

Today we went on a Greyline historical tour which meant an early start, 8.30am pick up.

The first stop was the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson the 7th president of America.

“The Hermitage is a historical plantation and museum located in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, 10 miles east of downtown Nashville. The plantation was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, from 1804 until his death at the Hermitage in 1845.”

After the Hermitage we stopped for an early lunch at a southern buffet.

In the afternoon it was Belle Meade plantation where they bred race horses, amazing property. Huge wooden veranda of rocking chairs, a winery and exhibit about the slaves that built and worked on the plantation.

“Belle Meade Plantation represents various architectural styles of the 19th century. General William G. Harding, master of Belle Meade Plantation, enjoyed a penchant for architecture and design and typically choose the latest trends in building design for his beloved plantation.”

Dinner tonight was downtown on 2nd Avenue at the Spaghetti Factory. The food was amazing and inside was beautiful, chandeliers and even a tram!

27th November 20189th August 2021

Predators

Tuesday 27th November 2018

Today we had usual pancake breakfast at Frothy Monkey and then headed back to the hotel to catch up on more sleep.

We had lunch in the hotel library, a lovely chicken noodle soup before getting ready for ice hockey.

Met Wendy’s colleagues Todd, Phillip and Tom at the office and went to a bar called Barlines for drinks and a meal before heading over to the arena. Tonight the Nashville Predators were playing Colorado Avelanche, it was a close game but Colorado won 3-2. Was great to watch with Wendy’s colleagues and learn all the chants.. Was really cold all day today was down to -4 for the walk home Brrrrrrr.

26th November 20189th August 2021

Cowboy Boots

Monday 26th November 2018

First stop Frothy Monkey and pancakes for breakfast followed by a quick pit stop at the Ryman giftshop for Wendy.

Then it was time for some shopping. Purchased a teal top and black hooded cardigan with Nashville skyline in silver and sparkles. Tried on boots in a couple of shops but very expensive.

Next it was a tour of the George Jones museum on 2nd Avenue where I go to try out a wooden rocking chair, followed by lunch in the downstairs restaurant. Sweet potato fries and coleslaw with live music.

Afterwards headed back up broadway but only as far as Bootleggers Inn which had a great singer on stage before heading back to hotel.

This evening we took advantage of the hotel shuttle, as it was so cold, to get to the wildhorse saloon for live music and line dancing. Cola was only $3.20 with free re-fills – cheap evening!

We had dinner in a pizza place off broadway and then stopped in at Roberts Western World for some more traditional country music before calling it a night.

25th November 20189th August 2021

Nashville TV

Sunday 25th November 2018

Went to a lovely coffee shop round the corner from the hotel for breakfast this morning called Funky Monkey. Had amazing pancakes with bacon and fresh fruit.

After breakfast we went back to the Ryman for the gift shop, was too busy last night to look properly. Brought a couple of post cards and for myself a silver bracelet and black T-shirt with Ryman on it in silver.

This afternoon we went on a Greyline bus tour of the TV program “Nashville”. It showed us where all the characters houses were and where lots of it were filmed, a lot out in East Nashville which seemed a nice place, all the houses have swing seats on their porches. It also included a tour of the Ryman Auditorium and we got to have our photo taken on the stage, and see a video of how it all started.

In the evening we went to Broadway for dinner at a bar that was showing the ice hockey game. Afterwards we went to a Honkey Tonk, still on Broadway, for a drink and music.

24th November 20189th August 2021

Welcome Y’All

Saturday 24th November 2018

This morning we walked down to the Johnny Cash museum for breakfast – French toast yum!

After breakfast we went round the Johnny Cash museum, and were impressed by all the memorabilia they have. Even got a photograph taken with the man himself – technology is a great thing.

There is a new bridge over the Columbus river which we walked over for a few photographs. A scene from the NashVille TV program was filmed on the bridge with Rayner and Deacon.

View of downtown Nashville from the bridge of the Columbus river

Next it was lunch at the country music hall of fame and some shopping.

This evening we went to see Opry at the Ryman, tonight star of the show was Rodney Crowell. Before the show we had a drink in the bar and brought a poster of the shows line up.

Afterwards we had dinner in Pucketts where they had live music and gave us 66% discount for the delay we hadn’t noticed!

23rd November 20189th August 2021

We’re All Going On A …….Music Holiday

Friday 23rd December 2018

Taking advantage of British Airways direct flights to Nashville, so much quicker without a change, arrive at a smaller airport and in time for some dinner before bed so not too many issues with jet lag.

I love country music and hear so much about Nashville from my friend Wendy it has been on my too visit for so long. Am looking forward to lots of live music.

The first impressions of our hotel were this amazing lobby as we arrived and the very helpful, friendly staff.