I’ve really been terrible about blogging about events. And
writing about Nashville has been on my to-do list for almost two months now and
I just haven’t gotten around to it. But a new year is a great time to start
fresh and I do want to write about this trip while I can still remember the
details.
About a year ago, my parents talked about wanting to go to
Nashville, which was weird because all three of us are never interested in
going to the same place. We decided that would be my parental present for my 33rd
birthday.
The only issue was getting to Nashville. After lots of Xanax, a shot
and nearly breaking my dad’s fingers from squeezing his hand too tight, we made
it to Nashville.
We did a lot of touristy things, including visiting the
Johnny Cash museum where I wanted to sob because I never got the chance to see
Johnny live. The highlights of the trip were definitely a trip to the Grand Ole
Opry and our Nashville TV show tour.
First, the Grand Ole Opry. They perform in the famed Ryman
Auditorium during the winter months. We had amazing seats, third row (Thanks,
Mom!) The host for the evening was Ricky Skaggs, who I probably wouldn’t
recognize if I ran into on the street, but was fabulous none the less. The
environment of the old-school radio show was great and so fun to participate
in. The final performer of the evening was Vince Gill, another childhood
favorite of mine, who sounded better than ever.
The next day, Dad watched NASCAR while Mom and I went on a
tour of the Nashville TV show sets. We went to all the places that are famous
from the show, like the Bluebird Café where Garth Brooks signed his first
record contract in the kitchen. We got to see places where they film, scope out
the apartment building where Hayden Panettiere lives and even see Deacon’s
house.
The best part of the tour, though, was getting to return to
the Ryman. That place is completely different in the daylight. The way the sun
comes in through the windows is absolutely magical. We got to grab guitars and
stand on the original stage, where everyone from Johnny to Garth has stood. It
was a special moment and my favorite of the trip.
When we got back to Raleigh, my dad told me he would remember this trip for the rest of his life. That makes two of us.
