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Location Date North America 
1469228400 Europe 1433372400 South America 1424563200 Africa 1413154800 Asia 1407711600 Oceania 1353628800 -
Location Date New Brunswick 1469228400 Ontario 1468882800 North Dakota 1464476400 Minnesota 1464217200 South Dakota 1464130800 Wyoming 1463526000 Montana 1463353200 Saskatchewan 1463094000 Alberta 1462834800 British Columbia 1462143600 Washington 1459638000 Oregon 1459551600 California 1459119600 Nevada 1458432000 Arizona 1455667200 Colorado 1454630400 New Mexico 1453939200 Texas 1453680000 Oklahoma 1451952000 Arkansas 1451347200 Tennessee
1451001600 Kentucky 1450483200 Illinois 1449705600 Ohio 1449187200 New York 1449014400 Florida 1394841600 Manitoba 1381705200 Hawaii 1321920000 -
Location Date Memphis 1451001600 Chattanooga 1450828800 Pigeon Forge 1450656000 Nashville
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For DH, the number one attraction of Nashville was the potential ogling of Cowboys in tight jeans, but for me it was the potential of a visit to the Grand Ole Opry. Because of popularity, the Grand Ole Opry abandoned its more intimate downtown theatre (that was also a church in an earlier incarnation) for a larger venue in the suburbs. But in the slower Winter season the show is moved back to the more intimate/authentic Ryman Auditorium and we were fortunate enough to grab a couple of last minute tickets.
The downtown of Nashville plays up the country theme with an overpopulation of saloons housing live country bands, wanna-be Cowboys/cowgirls, and Texas style drinking. After a day of marching DH around on her tight jean research mission. I did manage to talk her into both the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Johnny Cash Museum, but she drew the line at the George Jones Museum ("never heard of him") but by that time we had done a pretty deep dive into historic Country Music. It was now time to go deep on some live country music.
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country-music stage concert which was founded in 1925 as a one-hour radio "barn dance". It is the longest-running radio broadcast in US history. Dedicated to honoring country music and its history, the Opry showcases a mix of legends and contemporary chart-toppers performing country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, and comedic performances and skits. As it developed in importance, so did the city of Nashville, which became America's "country music capital". The Grand Ole Opry holds such significance in Nashville that its name is included on the city/county line signs on all major roadways (Nashville is also the first place that we've seen that has institutionalized southern speak on its’ road signs- “Do Up Your Seat-belts Y’All”).
Our night at The Grand Ole Opry had us rubbing shoulders with Ricky Skaggs, Charles Esten, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Jessie James Decker, William Michael Morgan, and a number of others that were really weren’t familiar with, but the mix of music made for a great night. And with it being a live radio broadcast, they would periodically cut over to a deep-voiced dude standing at the side of the stage who would read out some ad for a local insurance company or some other product. Perhaps the most endearing element of the broadcast was the periodic participation of audience members in contests with the prize being a 'spiral ham’. I'm not sure what a spiral ham is but the idea of someone walking home after the Grand Ole Opry with a ham tucked firmly under their arm just made our night.
With DH on a high, I was able to talk her into a quick stop at the Dukes of Hazzard Museum. I knew this wasn’t going to go over well because of the portrayal of corrupt police bumpkins in this 80's sitcom (you don’t mess with the ‘thin blue line’ when DH is around). I do love the idea that someone thought the world was in desperate need of a Dukes of Hazzard Museum and it fulfilled all of our low expectations.
Had a great time in Nashville and I imagine it’s just insane in the peak summer season.
- comments
Don & Jill Taylor (Brazil Cruise Looks like Nashville's a hoot. Thanks for sharing the experience.
may-vic This would be an excellent opportunity for some night tome street photography. I do visualize a stunning scene.Vic
IndyE Finally!
may-vic Deb, you are looking pretty happy sitting next to the great Chet Atkins! May
IndyE I bet they'd look the other way if a "crazed gunman" was stopped by a law abiding one breaking this rule. Food for thought?
IndyE OMG, they even do hockey better than us!
Amanda I remember going to a Johnny cash concert when I was 8
may-vic We don't see any biscuits and gravy! We can hardly wait until you experience your fist serving of grits!Vic
Amanda another example of how we are so far ahead of the States in tolerance and diversity
Amanda yes,I noticed that tooOne finger nail is not painted black
IndyE Or maybe they're just protecting the bad acts from being "booed" off the stage in another way...
Amanda nobody does hockey better than us
may-vic How do you choose with so many on display???
may-vic Always wondered what they did with the empty shells.
may-vic Deb you are not looking too amused in this shot.
debbiebutt So is Deb picking the banjo now while you play the kazoo?
tdv95 She's allowed to sing as long as it's not in the car.
Marlene Suddes Looks like fun!
Marlene Suddes Is DH recognized there for 'singing in the car'?
Marlene Suddes I guess it's better than the 'Gully Diggers'....
Marlene Suddes Oh Gawd :(
Marlene Suddes He's looking pretty rough nowadays anyway.....
Marlene Suddes ....So did I .....
Marlene Suddes .....Ya but Sheriff Roscoe was gross and disgusting....
Marlene Suddes And what do they do with them when they catch them breaking Curfew? Throw them in Jail? I doubt it....
Marlene Suddes Either way, its still a lot of food....
Marlene Suddes Baaahahahahaha!
Marlene Suddes It's not clear if they are discouraging drinking and driving, or encouraging it??
Chris from Cleveland I guess I won't be visiting that establishment anytime soon - LOL
carolcooke Great to see all the BIG advertising signs. Nothing small in the good ole US of A!
carolcooke Fabulous!
carolcooke I love the fact that country music incorporates anything you want to wear and as much fringe as you want!
carolcooke A bit worries that the gun is pointing to the back of the heads of people in the car!
carolcooke Looks like DH isn't really happy about being there!
carolcooke Hope he serenaded you!!!
carolcooke I've seen that elephant a few times in my life...but it is usually floating through the air after I had a big night out!