Lowell's Blog
Updates from the road

Being a southwest desert family who has never visited Tennessee we were excited to visit Nashville and the  Country Music scene. Neither of us really appreciated the classic stuff favoring alternative Country / southern rock. The thing we didn’t realize is that Nashville is one of the top 3 music meccas in the country for every kind of music with a huge concentration of musicians. We skipped the Grand Old Opry and instead saw Los Lonely Boys, Shawn Mullins, Bobby Keys as well as listening to lots of young artist down on the Broadway music strip.

 

 

Nashville Street Shots.

Broadway is where all the bars, restaurants and shopping are focused. This first photos were shots in the downtown area. Check out these cool dudes riding a Harley. Their hair dresser does some nice work.

As expected there’s lot of photo ops..

Frankie shrunk in the photo right..

Printer’s Alley and Broadway bars in the photos below.

 

 

The Famous Tootsies on Broadway ^^^

Frankie hanging with some pelicans at Margaritaville. Cadillac Ranch piles the crowd in for late night dancing.

 

 

Our first night out we meet Marilyn’s friend Courtney Smith who’s a young singer hoping to get a break in Nashville. Courtney was our Nashville ambassador, thanks Courtney.  Later on to a huge free concert featuring Los Lonely Boys.. Great concert with a local harmonica player jamming with them. Taylor Swift was in town for two nights.. We skipped that to see Shawn Mullins at a local grill with a huge stage. He preformed with a lead guitar player mesmerizing  the audience. Awesome show.. It turned out there was a 2nd show after Shown.. Who is Bobby Keys we asked the waitress?? Turns out he’s the saxophone player for the Rolling stones. Born in Texas he started playing young for Buddy Holly and then moved on to the Stones. He was performing with pickup local musicians who had only rehearsed one time. Lots of great stones & rock & roll music. Only in a music mecca.

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Country Music Hall of Fame

Visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame was a highlight for Nashville. It’s amazing what they have been able to create. We’ve become lovers of history and it comes alive here with displays videos and classic audio. Cool building and how things are presented.

 

 

 

A Russian tailor was responsible for creating many of the over the top country bling.. 

Elvis’s gold piano.. Walls of gold albums from the Nashville music industry.

Left, Southern Rock group POCO

The actual Hall of Fame.. and one of Dad’s favorites Kris Kristofferson.

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Historic RCA Studio B

The actual pianos played by artist in all those hit from the past… Right.. The Everly Brothers.

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On down the road to Memphis

Memphis.. Beale Street filled with Blues, Jazz & Rock & Roll. Great musicians everywhere. Fun Fun !!

 

These pictures give a good idea of Saturday night on Beale St. We actually had to head home on our hotel shuttle at 11:30 just as things really got rolling. Boy did 11:30 seem early.

We started the evening with dinner at BB Kings Blues Bar where a 17 year old Blues master looking like Justin Bibber and playing like Stevie Ray Vaughn totally amazed us.. I guess he is considered a BB Kings prodigy opening for BB King when he’s in the area. His name is Will Tucker and has released CDs.

Walking the streets music was coming out every doorway and we didn’t have time to checkout much.. I guess we will have to go back.

Frankie holding my Beale Big Ass Beer while she shops the merchant tables..

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Music in every nook and alley. Drinks sold out of every window as you walked the street. No problem getting a drink here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frankie was entertained by these sweeties as I shopped for a t-shirt. That’s a decorated buggy… ^^

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Graceland

No trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland. We actually stayed at the Heart Break Hotel RV park and took advantage of all the Graceland hotel amenities. We used their shuttle to Beale street and were able to walk to Graceland.

Graceland draws Elvis fans from all over the world and even in September was very crowded.

 

 

I guess I’m a little sappy, it was a little emotional visiting the mansion. Mirrored stairway down to  bar and lounge area of the house.  >>

Lots of Cadillac’s on the property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pool room with fabric wall and ceiling.

Gold, Gold everywhere along with performance costumes..

The mansion tour really moves everybody, especially as you pass the family grave site.

 

 

 

Wow.. lots of memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our final night in Memphis.. A city loop ride on the trolley, back to Beale St for dinner and finally a visit to the National Civil Right Museum…

Some of my favorite photos follow. You might not recognize the Loraine Motel. It’s where Dr. Martin Luther King was shot and killed. Taking the photo at night made the visit feel more intense. No other people there, low level lights and the cars setting in the driveway. Almost felt like I should duck incoming bullets. The motel has been turned in to the National Civil Rights Museum. We’ll make it by day next time.

Lots of great Tennessee memories…

Another great summer..

Now it’s time for Big Fun in Cholla Bay.

Until the next Update.