Taking a trip to Nashville...

[TelecasterSam]

It's been a couple years since we've been to Nashville and I know there are always lots of changes going on there. Do you have any good ideas for this picker and his wife? We already have the Opry on Saturday and the Station Inn on Monday planned. We usually walk around on Broadway and let our ears lead us to the Telecasters playing live in the clubs. Might also hit the Midnite Jamboree and Cowboy Church. We could use some restaurant suggestions and any other music suggestions. A few years ago a nice lady here suggested Longhorn Steakhouse...it was good! Thanks for any ideas.

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by TelecasterSam

We could use some restaurant suggestions and any other music suggestions. A few years ago a nice lady here suggested Longhorn Steakhouse...it was good! Thanks for any ideas.

The Longhorn off West End & West End closed up a few months ago. There are several other Longhorns in town, but not directly in the downtown area. Rivergate, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro Road (Hispanitoch).

But just north of the lower Broadway area is The Stockyards resturant. It's a 5-star steakhouse sort of place with TONS of "Music City History". In the 70s and 80s it was THE place to be seen, in the country music scene. Great place to eat and walk around and look at pictures and country music history.

The of course you have the Ryman. I'm convinced that it's the best live music venue in America. The sound quality there is absolutely the best I've ever heard. So make sure you seen a show there... any show... it doesn't matter the genre. I've seen people from James Brown there, to Vince Gill there... and I'm always left with my jaw on the floor... from how great it sounded. Just something about that building.

Then of course you have Jack's BBQ on Broadway... best BBQ in Nashville. Not quite Texas BBQ... but it's really good... and full of local country music history too.

And don't miss the Country Music Hall of Fame downtown. GREAT GREAT exibits... of all genres... not just country music. It would be worth looking up their website for a schedule of what may be happening when you're around.

[stephent2]

Don't miss Robert's Western World and the Don Kelly band,w/ J.D. Simo, one heck of a picker.

[ednew]

Her's a Nashville gasoline update from today's flatpick board:


For anyone headed to Nashville this week (coming in early for IBMA or
just coming) we're experiencing a gas shortage with over half the pumps
out of gas, and long lines at the stations that do have gas. Some people
are waiting two hours to fill up.

Predictions are that the shortages will last throughout the week. I
understand that only certain pockets of the Southeast are feeling this
pinch - Charlotte, parts of metro Atlanta, not sure where else - and
that other parts of TN have no shortages.

So if you're driving this way, fill up before you get here, and if you
rent a car, get the full tank option.

[gtrplr]

John A's Little Palace on Music Valley Dr. (next to the Citgo) has a musician's jam on Sunday night, 6 to midnight. If you can't bring your axe, there'll be one there you can use. John A. used to run the Nashville Palace, and knows almost everybody in town, so you never know who'll be there. Recent sightings include Jimmy C. Newman, Trey Young (Faron's son), Vince D. (former drummer for Brenda Lee) and Bill Poe (former steel guitarist for Charlie Pride).

The food's pretty good (8 oz. prime rib for $11.99), the atmosphere's relaxed, and the band is good. If you see some guy sitting in who looks like a cross between Redd Volkaert and Santa Claus, that's me.

[TelecasterSam]

Thank you for the replies. This all really helps. I'll add them to our list and hope to see/do them all. The Sunday jam sounds especially interesting :)

[robt57]

GAS; I am west of NashV actually, Exit 182 I-40. The Flying J there has gas, no shortage. In fact a lot of folks are heading out this way and there are lines, but even the price is not a big issue @ 3.85.

So this is 24 miles or so from NashV, say to I-440 which is a by pass of a sort.

So if you are comming in from the west, getting gas at 182 or 188 would be highly suggested.

[beach bob]

I just got back from NashVegas, had a heck of a good time at the Americana Music Association's conference and festival. I was a cheap SOB and didn't pay the $$ for the conference part, but I did go to the Ryman for the awards show (which was incredible, and the Ryman is indeed a really great venue), plus I got a four day wristband for music at four of the better clubs around town. It was great in every way!

Anyways, for stuff to try / do that hasn't been mentioned already, do be sure to check out Monte Good and the Honky-Tonk Heroes... they played at The Wheel, right across the street from Robert's on Broadway; I think 6p - 10p on Fri&Sat is a regular slot for them there. I know they also play Robert's, so check their schedule when you go (look em up on myspace). A fantastic western swing style outfit with all first call guys ... James Mitchell is on the Tele, and is fantastic, as is their steel guy, Mike Sweeney, and the drummer is none other than Willie Cantu of Buck Owens' Buckaroos! Top that! In a long weekend full of fantastic music, these guys were right at the top of the musical highlights of the trip. At the Wheel, there's good dancing going on, the bar staff is nice, and the beer is cold. Highest recommendation, from me

We also went to the Rose Pepper Cantina in East Nashville and had a great lunch. Good, semi foo-foo Mexican food, it's a neat place too. Recommended by both Todd Snider and me

And if you're downtown and you're hungry but you don't want to get gouged tourista prices, about two blocks down the street (towards the river) from the Wheel there's a sports bar that had decent food, and wasn't overpriced; I can't remember the name... it's a good sized place with an open front to it. It has the usual sports bar fare, plus some mexican items, and decent red beans & rice. Happy hour 11a - 7p, a buck off any of 70 draft beers.

A block over/up on Commerce, there's Demo's... serves steak & spaghetti; we talked to several people that visit Music City regularly and they always go there, good value. We didn't make it there ourselves... not enough time ... anyways it has a neon sign advertising steak & spaghetti; easy to find.

Head south on 8th Ave to Grimey's for cheap used CDs. Mike runs a live music venue there as well, The Basement, which books offbeat bands that may or may not be to your taste. Definitely worth a look though.

Lastly, check the country music hall of fame's website... they do in-store performances / CD signings with worthy artists. You can visit the store for the performance without having to pay admittance to the hall of fame.... we saw/ heard Carlene Carter AND Jerry Douglas there this past weekend . The HOF is indeed worth checking out as well, the Hank / Hank Jr / Hank III exhibit going on right now is really well done. There's serious guitar porn too. And Gram Parson's mind-altering-substance Nudie suit is on display I was quite suprised they don't whitewash over the substance / family / tragic aspects of some of the legends of country... Hank Sr.'s last days are recounted in detail, and with little equivocating on his lifestyle. That just added to the experience for me.

[freshmattyp]

+1 on Rose Pepper. Great food and margaritas, and I swear I saw Rodaney Crowell there last time I went.

[JustinWY]

Sam, a good place to grab a bite to eat is the tin roof it's on demonbruen street, on the south side of I-40 i tend to hit that place up for lunch or early dinner, later on at night it starts to get packed. I recommend the queso dip and their quesadillas are some of the best i've ever had.

Another cool place to check out is Fiddle and Steel, it's over in printer's alley, 3rd ave and church street, you just have to get past the karaoke joints. Usually got some tasteful pickers in there.

Also look into NashTrash Tours it's a comedy tour of sorts, I took it when a friend visited and I laughed the whole time. It's run by these two women who get dressed up along the lines of mimi from the drew carey show, crazy hair and makeup, they take you around and give you the gossip of country music, they showed us where various country artists got arrested for being too drunk. that sort of thing.. I highly recommend that, it's run in the daytime.

Have fun while you're visiting

[Big Smokey]

Some more:
My favorite lunch Meet & Three is Arnold's on Eight Ave just south of Downtown.
Rosepepper is OK for food, good for drinks and ambiance (and its in my Neighborhood), but I prefer La Hacienda down on Nolensville Road for TexMex.

Also for music: Check out the listings for The Family Wash, a great little pub in East Nashville. Several big name rock session dudes hang out there and play such as Audley Freed and Reeves Gabrels.

Gas situation has already shown much improvement (at least in my neighborhood - East Nashville) with more stations receiving gas and shorter lines than the weekend.

[photoweborama]

I was hoping to go to Nashville myself, but for a different reason... I applied for a job at Gibson... That would be cool!

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by photoweborama

I was hoping to go to Nashville myself, but for a different reason... I applied for a job at Gibson... That would be cool!

Start praying right now that you do not get that job. Seriously. Worst employee morale of any company that I've ever worked for. The work is cool... the management is not. And it's not something that I'd ever wish upon my worst enemy.

How a few of those guys have been able to stick with Gibson since Henry & Co. took over in the mid-80s... I'll never know.

[photoweborama]

Well, I doubt I'd get any of the jobs they have up right now. But if they were interested, they would have to bring me out from California. I'd get a free recruitment trip!

[TelecasterSam]

This is great info....thank you very much. There's so much to do in Nashville, especially for a guitar lover.

[Chikpicker]

I can't believe no one is sending him to the "Geurst Haus"(sp?)
Old Spagetti Factory(if you can get in)
Bailey's is pretty good and its on 4th and Broadway
Jack's for bbq and Robert's makes a great burger
All the great music has already been mentioned...
If you wait till November you can have your "Opry Experience" inside the Ryman

[TelecasterSam]

Thanks, Chicpicker! You have a great voice...keep at it! Best wishes for success.

[TelecasterSam]

Any other nightspots or broadway bands to check out?

[Tony474]

Originally Posted by beach bob

And if you're downtown and you're hungry but you don't want to get gouged tourista prices, about two blocks down the street (towards the river) from the Wheel there's a sports bar that had decent food, and wasn't overpriced; I can't remember the name... it's a good sized place with an open front to it. It has the usual sports bar fare, plus some mexican items, and decent red beans & rice. Happy hour 11a - 7p, a buck off any of 70 draft beers.

That sounds like the Big River Brewery - corner of Broadway and 2nd Ave South. Or at least it was last time I was there a year ago. Good place and a great selection of beers - their "Thick Brick" is/was a favourite of mine.

Nice to read about some updates to stuff I already knew. I'm saving my pennies for my next visit, I hope in Spring '09.

[TelecasterSam]

Thanks Tony474. I hope you get to come back to Music City.

[Andy R]

Hey Sam- I'm the guitar player with the Time Jumpers whom you'll be seeing Monday- be sure to say "hello"!

[cowboytwang]

I'm flying out to Nashville late tomorrow night.
I'll be there for six days; the bad part is I'm working five of those days.
Doing sound for the IBMA, helping with stage stuff and running monitor mix. Then jamming in the hotel most of the night.

I do have off all of Thursdays, so I may be running around town checkin' stuff out.

[Robbie W]

When I was in Nashville last year, Paradise Park on lower Broadway was my favorite place for artery-clogging-grease-dripping burgers and fries (sweet potato fries at that!!).

Robert's Western World makes a mean fried bologna sandwich as well.

take care,
Robbie

[TelecasterSam]

We're really looking forward to the Time Jumpers at The Station Inn!