So, picking up where we left off. This was the third trip trip Nashville I have taken with Valerie. There is still a lot we haven't seen, but there are also some things we must do each time we visit. One of those is eat at Jack's.
Jack's is my favorite barbecue place in Nashville, and possibly anywhere. When it comes to BBQ I am a rib guy. The meat at Jack's doesn't fall off the bone...the whole bone falls apart. The sauces are tremendous and the helpings are huge. One does not go hungry. Food is subjective and I know that others may not be as impressed by the place as I am but for me Jack's is the only way to go.
Another must do is, of course, the Grand Ole Opry. I always try to find out who's performing before I get tickets. I am a fan of traditional country music and like very little modern country, though a few songs here and there aren't too bad. Basically I think Garth Brooks killed it, and he, along with certain others, I would try to avoid paying to see if at all possible.
But the truth is, it doesn't matter who is playing. The Opry is more about the experience than the artists performing. On a good night you get some classic artists, a few up and comers trying to get a foot hold, one or two big names and a few head scratchers as well. For those who don't know, the Opry started life as a live radio show and is still one today. It is broadcast throughout the US on radio and satellite radio, and also on satellite TV if I'm not mistaken. As such, the format is quite a bit different from your usual concert.
The show is split into four parts. At the beginning of each the curtain rises and you are introduced to the "host" for that portion. The host plays one song, introduces the other acts (who do two songs each), does one more song, the curtain closes and then the cycle repeats with different hosts and performers each time. And the whole thing is interrupted at least once per segment for a live commercial. A bit odd perhaps but all a part of the fun that is the Opry. Any music fan should go at least once if they have the chance. We have always enjoyed ourselves and this was no exception. We met new blonde singer girl Maggie Rose and got to see legend Charley Pride. Not too bad.
Adjacent to the Opry house is the Gaylord Opryland resort and hotel. One word: big. It is the largest convention center in the country and has a river running through it (!) along with lots of shops and restaurants. We toured it on Friday but did not stay there. Perhaps some day when we are bajillionaires...
Saturday was our wait in line day. Not planned, but that's how it worked out.
First stop after sleeping in (amazing how no kids enables that) was tourist destination the Loveless Cafe. You go expecting a long wait. The cool part is that the cafe is on what used to be an old motel. So all the other rooms have been remodeled into shops so you can walk around and look at stuff while you wait. Genius business plan. The trouble was that a few locales were empty and waiting for new tenants when we were there. So after the gift shop, kids shop, and odd antiques and jewelry, we sat on a wooden bench and watched two guys play cornhole (no, I'm not making that up, it's a real game. Google it. Carefully.) until it was time to eat.
The food was very good, and once again came in huge portions. Awesome biscuits, the largest eggs I've ever seen in my life and bacon that would make you punch your mama.oh, and dig this, Jalapeno bacon. I thought it would be gross too, but nope, one of the best things ever.
Now, Saturday also happened to be Record Store Day, a holiday for us music geeks. A full report and reviews coming soon on my music blog. Suffice to say we stood in line for hours and I spent too much money. Also got my scalp sunburned. Of all the times not to have my straw cowboy hat!
After a brief rest back at the hotel we decided to take it easy and went to the Opry Mills mall to shop for the kids' souvenirs and grab a bite. In case you were wondering the Opry Mills is a mall, just like St. Louis Mills only good. We found ourselves unable to eat in a timely fashion and went out to a surf and turf for rednecks called the Caney Fork. Cliche decor but there was a bluegrass band playing, a real live catfish pond and the Alligator nuggets were great. This was about 10:00 at night, which is how filled up we were from the Loveless. After all the walking and standing we did the downtown bars held little attraction so we slept.
Sunday was the last day in town so to keep ourselves occupied we did a little more shopping. We went to Cooter's Nashville which is a small museum dedicated to the old Dukes Of Hazzard TV show. My inner 8 year old was thrilled. Unfortunately the Nashville location is not a restaurant like in Gatlinburg, so I missed out on that...but I did buy the official series soundtrack and it is as cheesy, terrible and awesome as one would expect.
Then it was off to Earnest Tubb's records, a Nashville institution specializing in new, classic and hard to find country music. They have recently moved into vinyl as well, so I added to my plunder. A very happy guy indeed, but it was a bit difficult taking all that vinyl as a carry on on to the plane.
Back to the airport and then home. While it was not quite was hoping for as to the amount of live music, we did have a fun weekend together, and that's really what this trip was about when you get down to it. Valerie and I run after the kids pretty much all the time. And that's okay, we enjoy being parents and love our children. But after work, kids, household stuff and bed there's not much time for us...as individuals or as a couple. This is something we are working on and Nashville was the first step. It was nice to have some time to enjoy each other's company and just hang out again. Talking, laughing and being a couple.
And that's what I will remember most about Nashville, April of 2013.
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