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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 W & W METAL ROOFING r**wm 30 Year ^ Paint d “We Got You Covered” Agricultural Residential • Commercial • Ship Anywhere In The USA • We Stock Your Metal Needs • Visit Our Showroom www.wwmetalroofmg.com EEZO 706-654-5836 Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga. Warranty Sales Service Installation NOW OPEN AT DUNCAN’S CORNER! Complete Nail Care for Ladies & Gentlemen St HOLIDAY DISCOUNTS Now - Nov. 30 Dec. 1 - 31 25% OFF 20% OFF all services all services with this coupon. with this coupon. 7421 Spout Springs Rd. #102 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Across Kroger, behind Waffle House 770-965-5110 Walk-Ins Welcome Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sun. 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. TnmWin|, Ojnuuatlaa ■ Ibattai ■ifctTtTTVWV Back Handspring Clinic December 15 & 16 Call Now Limited Spat cAvnilablt- Kid Zone Now Enrolling For Child oars center ■ TltTVI.lTl .Tl np TtIhu Of Aspes 6 i & Kua CaU For Maze ibra;a ilurj.' Drop & Shop November S3 Gta This UpturningBinak Fiidar Drop Yctir Kidz Off Fa A Fmt Or HaJf Dafr H-jhiJi? Yeti Sbopt also orncftnfQ: ,3tic£ ' Fce-GchiooJ m Clara* n ■ Karat* nitb Home- OckooJ Tte^-nc Academy Butting Cv« ' EiLtllduY Pcrtie-r Facility P*nci ' ■ Far Special Evwite FaraitE Night Out on Fridays c*u m-m-zoNH f'T edon Inform at Loo or visit ]c«:ai£-l to- RronslfeD, HoHbtoo ood ffimoundinp ut-sojI m ip SE Please Recycle This Newspaper! 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 Program The Jim Borne Show The Mike McConnell Show Monday - Friday ffcOO mw - 12:00 noon www.WJJC.net Monday - Friday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm WJJC Radio 1270 AM Monday - Friday 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 706-335-1270 FOR MEN ONLY! December 6 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Mr V vme ... Stjdlol' 706.654.1385 149 Towne Center Pkwy, Hoschton GA Tue-Thu 11-7 • Fri-Sat 10-7 • Closed Sunday & Monday 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.