Friday, June 10, 2022
As fate would have it, the 2022 Country Music Association Festival (CMA Fest) is in progress this week so that Nashville is even more crazy than usual. Fortunately, we were able to secure seats in the free shuttle to downtown provided by our KOA campground. We left around 10 am and were deposited in front of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum where we were to be picked up at 3 pm. Jane & I made a beeline for The Ryman. We walked awhile before we came to the iconic former tabernacle church dwarfed by the looming modern buildings. It looked out-of-place but stubbornly claimed its historic right to persist there.
Inside we were directed to a theater room where via video, Lula Naff, who ran The Ryman for half a century, narrated the interesting story of the building’s history and association with the Grand Ole Opry. From there, we were free to wonder around two floors and take pictures while a stage crew was busy setting up for an evening show. After a while, the visitors were beckoned to take a seat in the wooden pews at the front of the auditorium while a guide gave his perspectives on Opry history. The displays downstairs had unique paraphernalia associated with Opry members including Mother Maybelle Carter’s autoharp and the talk box Peter Frampton had used to record his famous 1976 Frampton Comes Alive album. After lingering and soaking in the historic ambiance, we departed and walked across the street to an arcade of restaurants. There, we had a delicious light lunch on the outdoor deck of an upstairs sushi bar.
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| The Ryman – Mother Church of Country Music |
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| John hanging with Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, outside of The Ryman |
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| Jane taking in The Ryman Ambiance |
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| Hillbilly Dust & Tons of Chewing Gum were removed from the Original Benches during Renovation |
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| Outdoor Lunch at the Blue Sushi & Sake Grill |
After lunch, we headed to the state capitol building only to discover that the 2 o’clock tour was already full. We were allowed to wander around the first floor of the building. It was stark and decidedly unfriendly in contrast to the warm welcoming atmospheres we experienced in the Santa Fe and Cheyenne capitol buildings, so we left after a quick perusal.
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| The Tennessee State Capitol Building |
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| Judge Janie takes the Podium in the Original Tennessee Supreme Courtroom |
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| Stark Dark Capitol Corridors |
Next, we walked to, and toured, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. We enjoyed the musical history. This museum paid tribute not only to famous stars but also to their musical support personnel. Whole rooms were devoted to Johnny Cash and to Jimi Hendrix who learned to play guitar in Nashville after being discharged from military service. There was a nice display with a film about Sun Recording Studios (originally Memphis Recording) and the famous music stars that recorded there.
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| Displays in the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum |
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| Hendrix learned to Play Guitar in Nashville |
We exited the museum right at the designated shuttle pickup site only to discover via a text message that the shuttle wouldn’t show up until 3:30 pm. So, we walked a few blocks and sat inside a coffee house enjoying iced lattes and discovered that the shuttle was delayed another 10-15 minutes due to excessive traffic. We finally boarded the shuttle, and after it navigated through traffic delays, made it back to our motorhome where we had a light dinner and departed in the toad for our Grand Ole Opry booking.
After a 20-minute drive to Opryland, we drove past the designated building to pick up our ticket vouchers and had to call to get directions. After finally locating the proper spot (it was in a Wyndham Resort Complex), I ran in and snatched up the vouchers. Shortly afterwards, as we were about to enter the Opry parking lot, I discovered that I had left my wallet on the ticket counter. Jane hurriedly drove us back to the resort office, and I ran in horrified to find that my wallet wasn’t on the counter and no employees were to be found. I desperately ran around the whole first floor searching in vain for an employee to help me. Returning to the counter, I went behind it and did not see my wallet until I turned a key and opened a drawer. I grabbed my wallet and quickly jotted a note that I had picked it up then we dashed back to the Opry.
After exchanging the vouchers for tickets, we proceeded inside the Opry House and Jane immediately got in the bar line to purchase two glasses of wine for us. After being seated with time to spare and enjoy our wine, we calmed down from the frantic scurry and relaxed to enjoy the show.
Bill Cody hosted the show which is still broadcasted on WSM radio (now internationally via the internet). We were entertained by eight musical acts that each played 3-4 songs: Jeannie Seely, Riders in the Sky, Caitlyn Smith, Bill Anderson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mike Snider, Mickey Guyton and Vince Gill. All the acts were skillfully executed and entertaining. I particularly enjoyed Riders in the Sky and Mike Snider who both mixed humor with excellent musicianship. After the show, we regretfully departed and gassed up the toad on the way back to our motorhome.
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| Present-day Grand Ole Opry House |
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| Waiting for the Show to Begin |
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| Octogenarian Jeannie Seely belted out Hits with Triple-Fiddle Backup |
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| Riders in the Sky (“the 1% Western in Country & Western”) |
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| Vince Gill performed a Poignant Newly Composed Tune |
I think you've lost a wallet a million times. I think you meant the date at top to be Friday June 10 not Friday June 12. Enjoy the last few days on the road. If you wait much longer you'll need a fork lift to pick up Zorro.
I''m glad I found my wallet this time. Thanks for mentioning the date issues. I've changed it now. – John