Vacation!

Last week was my annual visit with friends in Nashville.  This year we had our friend John visiting with us from Australia.  Then there was Linda from NM, Angie from AR, David and Lisa from KY, and me from AL.  There were lots more, including our local friends from Nashville, but the ones I mentioned are part of a 'core' group that started almost ten years ago.  We missed seeing our friends Julie from MI, Bob from MD, Peg from SC, Sandy from MO, Sandie from VA, and assorted others who have been converging with us in Nashville on an annual (sometimes twice-annual) basis. 

Local friends Susan and Iisha introduced us to some new eating places!  Yum!

Along the way ......

I-65 North is the route I took (the high road?)   It was a dreary day, and got worse the farther north I went, so the TN sign is a little hazy.  But I got a good clear shot of the 'Batcave' for BabyGurl as I came into Nashville.  The second shot is later in the week when we were shopping downtown.

Linda's plane was delayed (by over four hours!) so I had a quick lunch at the Tin Roof then settled into the room until time to go to the airport. We had planned to have lunch at Neely's, but we had supper there instead (her plane didnt land until 4:30)

The Food! 

BBQ sandwich at Neely's.  There was enough meat on this sandwich for three sandwiches (I'm not complaining!) and this was the 'regular' sandwich.  I can't imagine how large the large one would be!

Later in the week we hit Burger Up, a place recommended by several of our local friends (thanks David and Kathi!).  The fried dill pickles were about the best I've ever had, and the sweet potato fries were yummy!  There was absolutely no grease to any of their foods, thanks to the fact that they fry with peanut oil. 

And last but not least a picture of my Coffee Fudge shake and Linda's Vanilla Malt on our (ahem!) second trip of the week to Mike's Ice Cream.

Not pictured is lunch with Susan at 'Franklin Mercantile' on Wednesday, and lunch at Opry Mills Mall (TGI Friday's) on Thursday.

No food in this pic, but Friday night we had supper with Angie's niece Iisha and two of her friends at 'Past Perfect'.

Me, Linda, Angie.

Music!

Tuesday night after supper at Neely's we headed out to a songwriter's round at Douglas Corner.  No pics from there because we got there a few minutes late and were standing in the back (or front as it were - if you've been to DC you'll understand; if you haven't been you should go!)  We see these guys almost every year at the same venue; Allen Shamblin (The House That Built Me), Rob Crosby (Concrete Angel),  Brett Jones (That's How Country Boys Roll), Angela Kaset (Something In Red).

All of those writers have multiple sucessful songs, but I don't have time or space to list them all here.  One of my favorite's of Brett's hasnt' been recorded, and likely never will (but then again, who knows) - it's called Blue Tail Monkey.  If you ever have occasion to see/hear Brett, be sure and request that one. 

Wednesday night we went to see/hear old friends Lucy Angel.  Mom and daughters, Kate, Lindsay and Emily Anderton.  Amazing harmonies, wonderful people, and isn't Lindsay just radiant (and gorgeous!) after the birth of her daughter just two and a half months ago?

The second picture is from Saturday night at the Station Inn.  Eddie Heinzleman, Billy Yates, Buddy Jewell, and Jimmy Fortune.  Eddie hasn't had any hits yet, but he's had a few songs cut and will be a household name before long.  Billy Yates has multiple hit songs, including two for George Jones (Choices, I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair).  Buddy Jewel was the winner of the first season of Nashville Star and had radio hits with 'Help Pour Out The Rain' and 'Sweet Southern Comfort'.  Jimmy Fortune was a member of the Statler Brothers until their retirement about ten years ago.  'Nuff said? ;-)

A quick little video clip of Jimmy singing "Elizabeth" that he wrote and the Statlers recorded. 

And a little clip of Billy singing "Daddy Had A Heart Attack, Momma Got A Cadillac".  A fun little ditty.



Then there was some shopping.  I got a Vera Bradley purse at the outlet store at Opry Mills Mall.  This particular day they were having a 50% off everything in the store, so I got the purse and wallet.  I've wanted one for a while, but oh the prices! Eek!

Gabbie really racked up with a nightlight / lamp from the Farmer's Market, a t-shirt from downtown, and some books from the Goodwill store (yes, Linda and I go to the Goodwill store every year, it's great!) And Sadie (due in July) got her very first Nashville t-shirt!

Things we didn't buy. 

Yes, you are seeing that right.  We did not buy boots this year. 

Didn't take a lot of pictures this year.  Didn't do anything exciting.  Just visited with friends, relaxed, and did a lot of walking and window shopping .... and eating. 

Honestly, I think the best food I had all week was my ham, bacon, all the fixin's and honey mustard pita for Friday lunch.  Definitely want to go here again!

Pita Pit

Countdown ....

Getting Closer ....

TIL

 

 

 

Countdowns ....

FIFTY - FIVE  DAYS

 

until

 

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME RETURNS!

 

 

SEVENTY - EIGHT  DAYS

 

until

 

NASHVILLE!! 

 

 

Yeah, I am like WAY excited about both of these events. 

(And yeah, you will get regular updates/reminders

about just how much I am looking forward to them!)

.

BOOM!

That's the title of Tom Hambridge's new cd.

Last Tuesday night I went to his cd release party at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

I haven't been to Nashville in over four months and it was way past time for a trip.  I had been sick with a sinus infection for over a week.  In fact that very morning I had gone to the doctor and gotten two shots and two prescriptions.  I knew I would be "good to go" that night thanks to a steroid shot which typically keeps me awake for at least two days.

For days I'd been sniffling and blowing and coughing and wheezing and .... well, just being gross.  I was wearing the Neti-Pot out.  But Tuesday afternoon when I left work, I started feeling better.  And the closer to Nashville I got, the better and more energetic I felt.  The air was electric.  Nashville is my crack.  No matter how long I go without it, just one 'whiff' and I'm hooked again.

I rolled into the parking lot at the Bluebird about 830.  The show was scheduled to start at 900.  I paid my cover, and went to my seat (I'm a regular, they dont even have to escort me to my seat any more).  I ordered my food/drink and began my people watching.  I began recognizing some of the folks as they came in.   Band members, friends, celebrity guests, and regulars.

About 905 I was texting Lachelle, that typical Nashville, they were not starting on time.  However, it was a legit problem as they were trying to get Brian's amp working.  Finally Tommy Mac made and executive decision about 910 and they began the show while Brian was putting things back together on his amp.

Amazing show ..... as always.  Lots of new songs I haven't heard before, and lots of great old favorites.  I made a few videos, which I've put into a montage, and then a couple extra songs with guest vocalist Wendy Moten, and guest guitarist Gary Nicholson.  Wendy sang backup on Buddy Guy's most recent album and Tuesday night she sang backup with Tom on two of the songs from that album, Living Proof and Skin Deep.  Skin Deep is an amazing song.  I've heard it on Buddy's album, and I've heard Tom do it acoustically at various events, but Tuesday night with Gary and Wendy singing backup was absolutely the best version yet.

First up, I'll give you a little montage of song clips that I was taping and texting to BabyGurl since she had to work.  Bless her little heart.  She texted back after about the third clip and said her workmate said it was almost like being there.  :-)

First video ..... a little montage ...... call it a teaser for the new cd if you will .....

Next up .... with guest guitarist (and co-writer) Gary Nicholson, and the amazing vocals of Wendy Moten, on the song Skin Deep.

Of course you have to remember, I'm not a videographer, I'm just a girl with an iPhone who loves music and wants to share the talents of my Nashville friends, with all my friends.  So enjoy this rendition of Living Proof, again with Wendy Moten.

Now, to reiterate how much I love being in Nashville and what a tonic it is for me ..... as good as I felt, and as energized as I was ..... as it intensified the closer I got to Nashville .....

The same thing happened in reverse as I left town .... just outside the city limits my nose began to run.  When I stopped for coffee I stocked up on napkins to blow my nose all the way home.  My eyes were burning and watering ..... the sinus infection raged and the allergies attacked.  I almost turned around at the state line and headed back north.  Seriously.

I'll leave you with a few pics from the night.

BabyGurl's favorite guitar player ..... Steve C.   An amazing talent who has toured with many award winning bands (VanZant, Lynyrd Skynrd, and of course Tom Hambridge and the Rattlesnakes)

The incomparable Tom Hambridge.  There's too many accolades to list.  Check out his website. 

Tom, and bass player Tommy MacDonald.  TMac tours with David Lee Murphy, Jimmy Wayne, and many others.  And he has a smile that lights up a room like no other.

Tom, TMac, and Brian Love.  

Gary Nicholson, singer, songwriter, guitar player.  Extraordinaire. 

So ... c'mon, go with me next time.  You know you want to.  :-)

Vacation Spots .... (or in my case, spot)

Kelly, over at Kelly's Corner is doing favorite vacations spots for her Show Us Your Life series this week.

Well ..... if you know me, you know my vacation spot already ..... but for those of you who dont .....

My most recent trip was just a few short weeks ago .... though it feels like forever ago and I am ready to go again.

I already posted all about the trip a while back, so I'll just link you back to those posts.

I broke the trip down into three categories:  Food!   Music!   Shopping!  and did a post about each one of them.  Just follow the links for lots of info and pics.  And if you are planning to travel to Nashville and have any questions, just leave me a comment and I'll be glad to help you plan your trip! ;-)

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Music! Music! Music!

We didnt do any of the regular Tin Pan shows this year.  We looked for stuff off the beaten path .... wanting to avoid the typical frenzy that surrounds the Tin Pan events.

Wednesday night we went to 3rd & Lindsley.  They have good food (yeah, I said food! LOL), and we checked out the music lineup online and decided to give it a go.

I've already posted about Wednesday evening, so I wont rehash it here.

On to Thursday.  We just hung out with friends that night at Dan McGuinness' Pub.  Many of our friends performed several songs each, and the rest of us just enjoyed the music, and visited.  We only see each other once a year ... sometimes even less often ... so it's just a casual laid back affair with everyone eating drinking and singing/playing.  I didn't make any pictures or recordings that night.  If anybody is interested in singer/songwriter type stuff, let me know and I'll point you to where you can hear some of it.

Friday night .... The General Jackson Showboat!   The show that night was called "Country Music USA" and it took us on a musical journey from the 40's right up til the current music.  Hank, Patsy, Lorretta, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Dolly, Tanya ... to Garth, Martina, Strait, Jackson ... right on to Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift .... (though I'm not a big fan of RF, S, or TS, the show was really great!)

Here are several random pics from Friday night.  Some from the iPhone and some from the camera.

I took this one for BabyBrother ... he's a fireman.

The band on deck before dinner.  

It was very windy and quite chilly. 

Inside the dining hall.

 

Some of our new friends and tablemates. 

Random pictures from the show.

I shot so much video, I had to break it up into three sets in order to upload it.

Now ..... let's move on to Saturday night!! 

We went to Puckett's in Leipers Fork (remember the shrimp?) to hear our friend Thom Shepherd.  Thom is a great guy, and a phenomenal songwriter, having written hits like "Riding With Private Malone", "Redneck Yacht Club", "Beer Season" and more.  He is one of BoyChild's favorite songwriters (Wynn Varble being the other favorite).  

Thom is often part of a writer's round (a Nashville term for when three or four songwriters take turns "going around and around" the circle - or sometimes a straight line) for two to three hours singing their original songs.  This night Thom had the whole two hours to himself.  He brought along his "banjer" player Robin Ruddy (who recently was on a two year tour with Rod Stewart) and a young'un (just barely 16) Forest Miller on fiddle.  

Here are a few shots from the show.

And a video montage:



So ....... that was our trip to Nashville.

Yikes!!  My blog posts are almost as long as our trip was!