We spent two days in Nashville! And it wasn't enough!
We left the Dueling Grounds Distillery, bottle of bourbon in hand, and headed to our next Boondockers Welcome spot. We wanted to take a look-see during the daylight to get a feel for the route and the space, because we would be in late. We had big plans for the day and night!
It was a nice big lawn, a little worrisome for rain coming on the second night, but they said we could park on the driveway if so.
We got to a sports bar early afternoon so that Trish could watch Notre Dame women's basketball March Madness (they lost), and then we headed downtown.
Wow! It was so lively and vibrant!
Music from every honky tonk, tons of people all duded up in their fringe, sequins, boots, and cowboy hats.
We ended up at Tootsie's. There was a line, so we thought this must be the place.
Here's a little video of our experience.
Soon, we headed to the Grand Ol Opry for a show and backstage tour!
The line-up for the evening:
When I booked the tickets for the night we wanted, I was thrilled that one of my faves, Steve Earle, would be playing. They had not announced the rest of the line-up, so we didn't know until we sat down that we would be treated to Whispering Bill Anderson, the oldest member of the Opry (since 1961); Laci Kaye Booth, who was making her debut at the Opry; and Vince Gill! Why is Welsh actor Rob Brydon there? He was filming a documentary about country music throughout the south and used this opportunity to film himself for content.
Whispering Bill Anderson, still going strong at 87!
Lacy Kaye Booth, in her debut performance
The Opry Square Dancers, who clogged rather than squared.
Steve Earle
Vince Gill
And we had a backstage tour. Very cool!
All 230 living and dead Opry members have a plaque
Dolly's mailbox is #163. Yes, you can write to members at the Opry, and yes, they collect their mail when they are in town.
Several dressing rooms, each honoring a person, or a group of people.
The Green Room. There was a flood in 2010. You can see the flood line through the bottom third of this mural, as well as the marker in the next photo.
View from the stage!
Their photographer took our pic in the circle, which is the performer's spot to stand. The wood making up the circle was taken from the original stage at the Opry's first 50 years' location, the Ryman Auditorium.
We're on the stage of the Opry!
The artists who perform can bring their own instruments or borrow a guitar from the music room. The backing band and backup singers are amazing. They rehearse one time through with each performer and perform flawlessly night after night.
The Opry Band uses a unique number system for their music notation. I know nothing about music and less about interesting notation systems. The guide did not really know, either. But here it is, for what it's worth.
Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl are the mom and dad of the Opry. You see their images everywhere.
Celebrating 100 years this year!
The rehearsal space.
Miss Dolly <3
The back corner held the set of "Hee-Haw" for the last 13-ish seasons.
It was a great day! Next up: Music City's museums!
We left the alpaca farm and did a little grocery shopping before we went to Cheney's Dairy Barn for some ice cream. Our host of the previous night recommended it highly. Ice cream? Yes please!
It was a lively place! Lots of families were enjoying ice cream, and some of the kids were playing on the playground on site.
Bourbon crunch. Yum!
Then we headed to South Union Shaker Village in Auburn, Kentucky. Shakers lived here from 1807 to 1922. Do you know much about the Shakers? I did not. Such an interesting, forward-looking sect! They were progressive, giving women and men equal power and, though complicated, were generally anti-slavery. They welcomed Black individuals into the community.
Much of the village was torn down by the buyer after the remaining members left in 1922, but there were a few buildings standing, and they had many wonderful pieces of furniture and other artifacts.
There are two remaining Shakers still alive, both in their 80s, living in a village in Maine.
A demonstration of the pigments. The Shakers liked color!
School room desks. Though the Shakers were celibate, families would often join, or they would welcome orphans.
Peg boards were in every room and hallway
We drove the short distance to our last distillery, which was also our Harvest Host for the night.m, Dueling Grounds Distillery. A tasting (two bourbons) and a Manhattan. Plus pizza!
