USA
Nashville Shows Up!
by David J. Cox
As we drove through the city from the airport, I was struck by both the city’s cleanliness and visual beauty!
Nashville has been undergoing a renaissance since several disasters in the early 2000s destroyed much of the core. They have since become a modern day “boom town.” My exploration would uncover many of the new attractions while honoring what made the city famous in the first place: Music!
The Embassy Suites is steps away from the convention centre, Country Music Hall of Fame, and the music filled Honky Tonk row, this lavish property has enough to keep a visitor indoors by enjoying the rooftop pool and bar, the restaurant, or the fantastic guest suite. A ‘Welcome to Nashville’ Cocktail Reception in a 30th Floor room overlooking the cityscape offered food and wonderful views.
With the most impressive wall of Whiskies I have ever seen, the Black Rabbit welcomed us with a multi course meal that included great braised Brussel sprouts, a delicious couscous, and a melt-in-the-mouth lemon-butter chicken. A great atmosphere and fine dining – a good start to the trip!
Just down the street from our hotel was one of the most marvellous streets I have had the pleasure of discovering. As I stood at the intersection, I could hear a live band, but something was off as I heard conflicting music. I moved south and I see another venue with another live band! I ended up walking up and down and saw over thirty bars (Honky Tonks) pumping live music into the streets from 10am to 3am. The best part is that it does not cost a thing. Long live the Honky Tonk Highway!
After visiting the Nashville Visitor Center, we enjoyed a guided tour of the city centre. This would be one of my favorite activities as the tour was narrated by Leonard, who had a story for every locale as well as suggestions for food and leisure.
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum has an outdoor walk of fame and floor after floor of recordings, outfits, and other memorabilia celebrating the immense impact of country music. There were so many interesting sights and sound, my favorite being the temporary exposition on California Rock.
Famous for producing what is known as “The Nashville Sound.”, the Historic RCA Studio B has seen hit after hit performed and recorded within its walls. We stood on the same spot that Elvis Presley stood to record his hits!
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is a must see. With at ton of interactive exhibits and a meandering layout, it explores the influence African American composers have had on all genres of music from classical to country to jazz and hip hop. The Museum also offers guests the chance to engage in a rap battle, produce songs and sing with a choir.
Another highlight was a tour of the Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark. Originally a church, and still replete with wooden pews, it is known as the Mother Church of Country Music and was the home of the Grand Ole Opry for decades.
The Listening Room’s wide stage hosts musicians of all levels. Their acoustic sets were fantastic, and the ambiance of music aficionados made the night quite special. Food and beverages were available, and I enjoyed the local beer quite a bit.
City Visit
The Frothy Monkey cafe chain has become a staple since 2004 through good food, drinks, and a great ambiance. Each location is housed in historic buildings, ours was an old Hosiery factory and offers a unique character.
The L&L Market has boutiques offering everything from local goods and gifts to lattes and clothing. Marathon Village is a wonderful model for the re-purposing of old factory buildings as they have built retail spaces including the History Channels’ American Pickers, a Jack Daniels store and a museum containing several rare Marathon vehicles. ABLE, a store opened by women to provide living wages and safe working conditions for the women making their pieces, offers leather goods, jewelry and more while supporting female designers and creators.
The Alan LeQuire Studio offers a peek at this artist’s miniature busts and various other pieces, including mock-ups of his immense statue of Athena and the impressive “MUSICA” statue conveying the importance of music to Nashville.
At Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, which re-opened 105 years after Prohibition forced its closure, we enjoyed a gourmet lunch, a tour of the facility and a tasting of their award winning small-batch Bourbons developed from the original family recipes.
The Grand Ole Opry has seen countless stars of the music industry grace its stage, and this night we saw some great music, including a performance by Lady A. Our visit included seats and a backstage tour filled with stories and looking at legendary photographs throughout!
That night we stayed at the W Nashville, located in the hipster neighbourhood called the Gulch. Its huge pool was a highlight, and the rooms were luxurious and well cared for throughout the stay. It was a treat for the senses with a large shower and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. A good thing too, as the next day was to be filled with more activities.
Walking Tour
Once just a food truck, the popular Biscuit Love is a locally owned family business providing delicious breakfasts, including their gravy covered biscuits and fluffy pancakes.
A walking tour of Upper Broadway and the Gulch started at the Frist Art Museum located in Nashville’s former U.S. Post Office building, an art-deco masterpiece itself. It offers rotating art shows throughout the year with an artistic educational facility upstairs.
Carter Vintage Guitars contains more instruments than you can imagine. Founded in 2012 by Christie and Walter Carter, they had a vision of providing a welcoming place for instruments and the musicians who play them. We took in the vast range of guitars and even got to strum a few chords.
At the Tennessee Brew Works, the food was great, but the real treat was the varied collection of high-quality craft beer. The brewmaster pays homage to the land, traditions, and culture of Tennessee through their All-Tennessee grain beers.
Third Man Records is a combination record store, concert space and recording studio. Musician Jack White opened the Nashville location in 2009 and has the world’s only live venue with direct-to-vinyl recording capabilities. We got lucky as there was a live concert and our guide showed us all the great nooks and crannies – including the re-created motel motif in the warehouse!
At Paddywax Candle Bar where we had an opportunity to make our own personalized candles. It was a lot of fun and let us explore our own creative juices.
Our final Nashville adventure would be a full course meal at the 404 Kitchen. Run by acclaimed chef Matt Bolus, his creations always use the highest quality ingredients that are often from local suppliers, farms, and distillers.
Music, food and country charm, Nashville is a warm and welcoming city filled with history and an exciting energy.
