NASHVILLE

We took a business/fun trip to Nashville last week.  A much needed break after the winter we've endured.

Although Nashville's weather in March isn't super warm, we still felt as though we were in the tropics.  Our hotel was covered by a dome and had tropical plants, water falls, fountains and a small river.  

We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Kris Kristofferson Tribute.  There were so many stars including; Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Eric Church,  Dierks Bentley , Darius Rucker, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Rosanne Cash,  Lady Antebellum, Hank Williams Jr, and Alison Krauss.  Shooter Jennings with Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson re-assembled “The Highwaymen”.  
​It was an incredible show.  I felt star struck. Unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out.

The next day while the spouses were in meetings, we got to play.  We went zip lining on  Barbara Mandrel's previously owned property. 

As you can see, some had great form.

The kids got to go, and had a blast.

It was a great opportunity to get to know each other better.

We toured Barbara Mandrel's Fontenel, as she called it.  It is the world's largest log cabin.  It is now owned by a couple of music managers and they had some things left behind by other music stars, like Kenny Chesney.  

We had to experience the night life of downtown Nashville.  It was St Patricks Day.  The streets were full of characters.

Elvis asked to get a picture with us.

We toured the country side and a large ranch, Deer Valley Farms, owed by the guy that had something to do with the guidance system on the Patriot Missile.  Needless to say, it was just a tad spiffier than Baker Ranch.

His farm house.. haha

Employee housing.

It was a beautiful place.

That night we went to the Grand Ole Opry.  Here is the next generation ready to enjoy the show.

It was quite a line up of stars.  And we had very front row seats.  It was AMAZING!

I found my dad's twin.  

Some up and coming stars.

Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum singing his new single.

Old timers like John Conlee.

William Michael Morgan

Country music giant, Trace Adkins.

What a wonderful show.

We checked out the Johnny Cash Museum.  

The down town area in the day light.  It was still a busy place and great country music could be heard in all of the bars.

This is a bar on wheels, pedaled by the customers.  I really wanted to try it, but I didn't have any brave soles with me at the time.

We had to check out Tootsie's World Famous Lounge.  It is across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry.  Stars would go across the alley to sing and drink there.  Many records were recorded there.

Of course while touring the Ryman Auditorium, Dave and I were asked to sing.  We were awesome.. 
​The Ryman is the heart of Nashville and is what started Nashville's fame of all music.  It was a great tour with so much history.

The two photos above aren't mine, but I thought it was worth showing how magnificent the place is.  

We went on the General Jackson Paddle Boat for a dinner cruise and show.

We cruised toward downtown on the Cumberland River.

They entertained us with a fun show of singing and dancing. 
Sadly it was time to say good bye.  What a great trip.