We wandered through 2 floors of exhibits, with several video performances of some of the old stars (yes, including Elvis). It was all quite interesting. The third floor contains the "ever-exchanging permanent exhibit tells the story of the music from its pre-commercial roots in the nineteenth century through the vibrant 1960s." There was also a nice Lee Greenwood exhibit with some of his patriotic costumes. He is known as the "God Bless the USA" artist. The second floor "details country music's recent history, examining trends and emerging talent from the 1960s through today." And of course the first floor has the box office, gift shop, Ford Theater which I don't think we saw, a grill, etc.
Next, we drove around downtown for a little while (kept getting lost, but it didn't matter since we didn't have a destination). Nashville is an up and coming city, and there's some big money here. We crossed one of the bridges a few times. The Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers come through here. It was the Cumberland that flooded in May 2010, when almost 14 inches of rain fell in 2 days, and it flows right past the Grand Ole Opry area. The Opry had to relocate its performances until they were able to get it back in shape. There was a lot of concern that the famous "circle" would be destroyed by the flood, but they were able to restore it and it was in place when the Opry reopened on September 28, 2010.
We found Broadway, where most of the shops and bars are located, and Printers Alley. Here is a bar with Elvis still hanging around. And an awesome guitar on a corner.
We finally headed back to the campground. Mike had recommended a restaurant just down the road from the campground, so we stopped there and had a nice meal.
Tuesday -- we have baby news today. Andrew is one month old today, and he had a doctor's appointment. He is almost 10 lbs., and almost 22 inches long, so he seems to be absolutely thriving. He certainly looks like he is filling out in his pictures. Sure would like to hold him.
We were the first ones picked up, so we got front row seats.
This was a drive-by tour, with a restroom stop at the Ryman Auditorium, so we did get to see inside it. We will have to come back tomorrow for a tour here. Our driver, Tommy, pointed out some of the significant buildings in downtown Nashville, these two are referred to as "R2D2" and the "batman building."
Next up on the tour was a drive-by of the rich and famous homes -- most of them were well hidden behind wonderful trees in the front, curving driveways, gates, etc., and I can't begin to remember who lived where, but some of them belonged to: Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Lea Ann Rimes, and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. If I remember right, they just sold their place for $27 million and are building a new home. Other wealthy people lived in this area as well, not just singers, songwriters and musicians.
The Grand Ole Opry has a lot of history. It moved to the Ryman Theater in 1943, and then moved to where it is now in1974. They cut a big circle, approximately 5 feet in diameter, from the Ryman stage and incorporated it into the stage at the Ryman. The "six-foot circle of dark, oak wood in the Opry House stage is shiny but clearly well worn. Cut from the stage of the Opry's famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, this circle gives newcomers and veterans alike the opportunity to sing on the same spot that once supported Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, and others." I copied the following article about this famous circle and the flooding.
"The six-foot circle of oak was cut from the floor of the Ryman Auditorium and placed in the floor of the new Opry house in 1974, when the Opry moved to its present location. The lighter oak really shines amidst the dark teak that has been installed around it.
After the piece was in place, Brad brought out his guitar and he and Jimmy [Dickens] sang a verse and chorus of ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken.’ “I thought of that last night, that I should bring a guitar,” the singer explained. “I didn’t think this piece should sit here silently for the next month, waiting for the Opry to come back here.”
We had dinner at the Opry Mills Mall right next to the Opry, then headed over A young Minnie Pearl was outside greeting people, then we went in and found our seats.
It was all very good. I was probably the only one in the audience who is not a fan of country music, but I did enjoy this, especially when they sang a song I recognized. It was definitely an Excellent Adventure.
