Tennessee

     We took a week off from farming to drive to Tennessee.  We spent most of our time in Nashville where we met my brother and wife and my sister and husband.  The occasion was a Fierce Bad Rabbit appearance at The National Underground in Nashville.

     Chris Anderson of Fierce Bad Rabbit is my nephew, son of my sister Ruth and Jim Anderson.  CD’s are available.

  We arrived on Saturday June 9.  The CMA Awards event was in full swing.  Ear plugs a necessity anywhere downtown.  Live performers appeared everywhere.  The big stars performed from the barge. 

     We were too late to get tickets for the big events.  So, Saturday evening we took a riverboat cruise which included dinner and a show.

      It was a great time.  Too bad I didn’t get any good pictures.  It was pretty.

As was the night scene.

       Sunday we visited Belle Meade Plantation.  Monday we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Ambassador David Allen greeted us.  A most amazing man, he can play a Chet Atkins number on his guitar and keep up an intelligent conversation at the same time.

      Here he answers a question for Patti, Dave and Ruth.  We bought a CD. The Hall of Fame was great.  You need the most of a day to see everything.

     We tried twice to hit the Bluebird Café, but we weren’t up to waiting in line.  A long line.  Of course, I had to visit the headquarters of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

     Too bad I never managed to be there between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

      Tuesday, we visited Opryland where the Grand Ol’ Opry performs.  The Hotel is huge, with 2800 rooms.  The glass dome is impressive. 

      We toured the auditorium.  We sang on stage. 

  Note the circle we stand on--a piece of the old Ryman Theatre floor.  Sorry, nobody in the audience and no recording contract.  Then Tuesday evening, Fierce Bad Rabbit.

    Wednesday, we were off to Memphis.  We didn’t have time to do it right, but we did visit Beale Street.  Wednesday nights are motorcycle nights. 

     Fancy machines line both sides of the street for two or three blocks.  It was ear plug time again as every eatery, including BB Kings, sports live music.

      Thursday we made it to Oklahoma City.  No, we didn’t have tickets to the Heat/Thunder contest. And finally home.  The windmill people have been busy.