Photos by Stephanie Struyck Elgin
With my cowboy hat in tow, I packed my bags, put on my boots and headed on over to the land of good ol’ country music…Nashville, Tennessee. And while most country crooners are known to get their start in the city, I quickly realized Nashville isn’t just about country music. In fact, its diverse musical culture is why it’s been dubbed Music City. From rock to jazz, bluegrass and more, music isn’t just a way of life in Nashville…music is life.
Only in Nashville can you stand in the very room where Elvis Presley recorded over 250 of his hits, or sit at the piano where the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would play. Located on renowned Music Row, take a tour of the Historic RCA Studio B, one of the world’s most successful recording studios, where more than 35,000 songs were brought to life, including hits from Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Don Gibson, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton and many more. Feel the music, experience the magic and relive the memories of the legends at this truly remarkable landmark. For a complete country music experience, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where the story of country music is told.
New to Nashville is the Johnny Cash Museum, located in downtown just off Broadway. The museum, which opened in spring, is complete with artifacts, paying tribute to the “Man in Black”, the beloved Johnny Cash.
Hailed as The Mother Church of Country Music by Nashvillians, the Ryman Auditorium, formerly the home of the Grand Ole Opry, has hosted world-class performers throughout history. It was on that stage where a young Earl Scruggs took the mic and played the five-string banjo with Bill Monroe, giving birth to what we now know as bluegrass music.
One of the longest-running broadcasts in history, the Grand Ole Opry left its home at the Ryman and moved to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The Opry is Nashville’s number one attraction, and has been called country’s most famous stage. You can catch an Opry concert and be a part of The Show That Made Country Music Famous.
One of the most active recording orchestras in the U.S., the Nashville Symphony has made its name internationally, and is the largest performing arts nonprofit in the state of Tennessee. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened in 2006, is a 197,000 square foot architectural gem. Its remarkable acoustics will provide you with the ultimate musical listening experience.
When the sun goes down, the lights turn on and the music turns up on Lower Broadway, which means it’s time for a little boot stompin’ fun at the honky tonks. A thriving nightlife, take a stroll down Honky Tonk Row, and see where some of the great musicians first took stage, and listen to live music from artists who are trying to make it big in the business. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, one of the historic honky tonks, has hosted performers like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, to name a few. Saddle on up at the Wildhorse Saloon or visit Robert’s Western World, a boot store by day, and honky tonk by night, or have a beer with some of the legends at Legend’s Corner, another popular honky tonk on “Lower Broad”.
Not only is Tennessee home to music icons, it’s also home to the oldest registered distillery in the U.S., the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Just an hour or so drive from downtown, head south to the smallest county in Tennessee to a little town known as Lynchburg. A dry county since Prohibition, the distillery is home to the world famous Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey. Each bottle is made with the same ingredients: corn, rye, barley malt and iron-free water from their limestone cave spring and matured in handcrafted white oak barrels. Take a trip to the distillery and learn about the 5’2” Jack Daniel himself, the milling, yeasting, fermentation, distillation and maturation of his smooth southern whiskey that is sold all over the world.
While the distillery may be in a dry county, you can certainly enjoy the tastes of award-winning wines at Arrington Vineyards, located just 25 minutes south of Nashville. The former 25-acre hog farm was founded by country music artist Kix Brooks and transformed into a vineyard. Experience “wine country” with beautiful views and fine wine at Arrington Vineyards.
What makes Tennessee so special? Just about everything…and when you visit, you’ll understand why. You just can’t help but fall in love with the south. I know I certainly did.
For more information about Nashville, Tennessee, go to www.visitmusiccity.com.
 
 
 
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