Newspaper Page Text
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Braselton News
Page 5B
Social
Tours, museums and festivals all highlight music scene in Nashville
On the Road
with
Angela Cary
AngieEditor@aol.com
Gathering around a songwriter in
the Bluebird Cafe as he performs
a hit song that he wrote. Walking
through the world famous Studio
B where Elvis, Roy Orbison and
other legends made magic years
ago. Meandering through the
Country Music Hall of Fame for
a look at some of the memorabilia
from some of your favorite coun
try stars. Taking a spin around the
floor at the Wildhorse Saloon.
These are just a few of the high
lights from a recent whirlwind
four-day trip to Nashville, Tenn.,
known as Music City USA. While
there is much more to Nashville
than music, it is the music tours
and stops that bring in tourists
from around the world.
I have heard about the Bluebird
Cafe for years but had never vis
ited. I have read interviews with
many top country artists who
fondly recall nights they spent at
the Bluebird Cafe. It was so excit
ing to make this a stop during our
visit.
It’s a lot smaller than I expect
ed, but that makes the experience
even more intimate and special.
It’s not your typical bar. It’s actu
ally quiet. People sit silently and
listen to the songwriters perform.
It’s not unusual for someone to be
asked to “shush” if they get too
noisy. Nashville is a songwriter’s
mecca and the Bluebird Cafe is a
place where they are put on ped
estal and respected.
We were at the Bluebird Cafe for
one of the “Writers in the Round”
performances. The audience sat
around the four songwriters, who
were in a circle in the middle of
the cafe. The featured songwriters
were Don Henry, Darden Smith,
Craig Carothers and Marshall
Chapman. They each take a turn
singing a song and joking with
each other. It feels like you have
stumbled in on a jam session and
the songwriters aren’t even aware
they have an audience. They’re
having such a good time that it’s
contagious. You will find yourself
singing along and laughing with
them.
I don’t know of any other venue
where you will hear original
acoustic music of this quality
from the songwriters themselves.
It’s simply amazing to see the
songwriters perform their work in
this unique setting.
For more information, go to
www.bluebirdcafe.com.
HALL OF FAME
AND MUSEUM
A tour of the Country Music
Hall of Fame and Museum
is always a treat because
there is always something
new to check out. A special
exhibit on Marty Robbins
is in place now and it pro
vides a great glimpse into
the entertainer’s career and
personal life. The exhibit
will be on display through June
2008. Among the memorabilia
on display are his guitars, stage
costumes, a racing uniform and
his high school yearbook.
Also at the Country Music Hall
of Fame and Museum are some
of my long-time favorite exhibits,
including dresses, vehicles and
other personal items from the
stars. You will also find interac
tive exhibits, films and special
presentations offered throughout
the year. The final stop on your
tour is the most moving one of
all. In the “Hall of Fame” you will
find a 70-foot high rotunda with
bronze plaques honoring all of the
members of the Country Music
Hall of Fame.
Touring the historic RCA
Studio B, the home recording
studio for Elvis and many other
legends in the music business, is
a great way to look back at what
music was like in the early days
of Nashville. The small studio
is the “home of 1,000 hits.” It
was active from 1957 through
1977 with Dolly Parton’s, “I will
always love you” and Elvis’ “Are
you lonesome tonight” among the
hits recorded there.
Today, guided tours are offered
and some recording is still done.
Among the items on display is the
grand piano used by Elvis. Elvis
recorded 262 songs in Studio B.
The history in the room is simply
amazing.
Keith Wright led our tour
through the studio on a quiet
Sunday afternoon. As he told sto
ries about what went on in the
early days, it was easy to imagine
the studio bustling with the art
ists, musicians and people behind
the scenes of some of the greatest
country and rock and roll hits of
all times.
“It is one of the most important
spots in music history,” Wright
told us.
It was great to sit in Studio B
and listen to recordings made in
the historic studio and to listen as
Keith shared stories handed down
over the years. He had plenty of
stories about Elvis, including how
he came in to record on Sundays
and always after 10 p.m. He did
his best work from midnight to
4:30 a.m., and he always warmed
up by singing gospel songs and
playing the piano. As the story
goes, he performed “Are You
Fonesome Tonight” at 4:30 a.m.
with the lights in the studio turned
out. We listened to this recording
with the lights turned down low.
It’s a hauntingly beautiful song
and it was very emotional for
Elvis fans to hear it in this special
studio.
Our group even stood in a circle
and recorded our own song. As
a souvenir, we got to take along
a CD of the recording. Now, we
can actually say we recorded in
Nashville. Of course, I’m not sure
anyone would actually want to
listen to our effort.
While in the area, take a drive
along Music Row for a glimpse
at the headquarters for the top
studios and country artists.
Tours of the studio depart daily
from the Country Music Hall of
Fame and Museum and are avail
able in conjunction with museum
admission. For more information
on the studio and the Country
Music Hall of Fame, go to www.
countrymusichalloffame.com.
WILDHORSE SALOON
At the Wildhorse Saloon, you
will get to sample some excel
lent Southern cooking, while also
hearing some great music and
even heading out to the dance
floor.
You simply must start your meal
with some of the wonderful fried
dill pickles. They are crunchy,
salty and perfect. Dip them in the
ranch dressing for a yummy treat.
For our main dish, we had ribs
and they were also great.
During our night at the
Wildhorse, line-dance classes
were offered and some of the
servers and other staff members
performed. They did a great job
of livening up the crowd and get
ting people on the dance floor.
A few in our group even headed
out for a little line dancing and
clogging.
For more information, go to
www.wildhorsesaloon.com.
FESTIVALS
Country, bluegrass and jazz are
just a few of the festivals to
be found in Nashville each year.
During our visit, the International
Bluegrass Music Association Fan
Fest was in town. We spent an
afternoon wandering through the
convention center checking out
live music, booths and special
displays. The weeklong bluegrass
festival is held each year in early
October and it includes an awards
show, as well as the live perfor
mances and exhibits. More than
25,000 people attend each year
and fans come from 50 states and
17 countries. Many bring along
their own instruments, and it’s
not unusual to find them in an
impromptu jam session in the
hallways or hotel lobby.
For more information on visit
ing Nashville, go to visitmusic-
city.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with
MainStreet Newspapers Inc.
Book signing planned in Hoschton Dec. $
The Northeast Georgia Writers, along with Funa
Coffee House, will host a book signing on Saturday,
Dec. 8, from noon to 1 p.m.
The event will be held at Funa Coffee House,
located in the square in Hoschton, at 20 Bell Ave.
“Our Journey” includes selections from well-
known author Gloria Stargel. Stargel has many
publications in books, such as “Chicken Soup for
the Soul” and “Guidepost.”
Braselton author Ruthanna Kilpatrick-Bass, who
is also featured in the book, invites everyone to
attend.
“Our Journey” is available at Books-A-Million in
Fakeshore Mall, Frames You-Nique in the Gainesville
square and the Northeast Georgia History Center’s
gift shop, all located in Gainesville.
‘A Hometown Christmas’ ahead December 1-2
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The Winder-Barrow Community Theatre has
announced the production of “A Hometown
Christmas.”
The variety show will consist of scenes and
songs of the Christmas season and is for children
and adults of all ages. There will be scenes per
formed by children and adults, as well as songs
from entertainers of all ages. After the perfor
mance, refreshments will be served while children
get their picture made with Santa.
Performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7
p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children
and students. A portion of every ticket sold will be
donated to the Barrow County Family Connection
to benefit needy families.
Tickets may be purchased at Pam Veader’s State
Farm Insurance Office at 41 S. Center Street,
Winder, or at the Winder City Hall. To purchase by
credit card, call city hall at 770-867-3106. Tickets
will be held at the door for guests. Purchasing
tickets in advance is recommended since seating
is limited.
Shows will be held in the Colleen Williams
Theater in the Winder Cultural Arts Center, locat
ed at 105 E. Athens Street, Winder.
For more information, visit www.winderbar-
rowtheatre.org.
The Glenn Beck
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The Jim Borne
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HOLIDAY SAVINGS
Going on now TRUNK SALE
50% Off regular pricer) Deoigner Clothing
Inside the Trunk
“The Day After Thanksgiving”
6 a.ni. -10 cun. 25% Off all Deoigner Clothing
6a.m. - 7a.m. 15% Off all B. B. Becker Jewelry
7 a.m. - 8 a.m. 15% Off all
Roman Glass/Mos aics Jcweh'y
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. 25% Off Kim Lou E
Special Designs Jewelty
10:00 a.m. - $100 Chez Femme
Gift Certificate Drawing
December 1 “Christmas In Lights ”
at Hoschton Town Center
Chez Femme will hoot a fashion show.
Bring the kids to see San ta and
Mrs. Claus. Lots of free fun activities.
December 8
Paper Lady Bugs will host a trunk show
with many more fantastic gifts for
Christmas.
P. S. Ladies - the coffee table “books ” and
collectible Christmas ornaments are in.