Cowboy Boots!

Getting ready for the show

The Grand Ole Opry is an institution of Country Music. It started up as a weekly radio show broadcasted by WSM in 1925 and has been running as a radio show ever since. Historians agree that it had a major impact on the course of American music. It was the first time that country/hillbilly was available across the whole continent. For many this was the first time that they could hear live music and it also acted as a conduit to share musical styles from one area to another. Both whites and blacks listened and incorporated these new ideas into their own musical language.

The programme has a strange format with the DJ reading out the sponsors messages in between each act. The night’s act included Connie Smith, George Hamilton 4^th, Jesse McReynolds, Big Kenny, Little Jimmy Dickens and the current heart-throb of Country Music Josh Turner. They are all big names in Country Music and their acts were highly slick and professional. It really was a great evening. The audience was responsive and knowledgeable.

One of the great stars of the evening was Little Jimmy Dickens. He is 89 and still as sharp as anything. He delighted the audience with his jokes and innuendos.

This was exclusively a white audience and it made me think back to T Model Ford in Clarksdale, Mississippi. T Model is the same age but his life is so different. There is no Grand Ole Opry or Hall of Fame for these black legends. Who will honour and remember them?

Whatever, we had a great night and I am proud to say that I have visited the grand Ole Opry and I thoroughly recommend it.

The Girls are dressed up for the Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens

George Hamilton 4th (With George Hamilton 5th)

Josh Turner in concert at the Grand Ole Opry

Nashville like Memphis and New Orleans has a central street where all the music is played. In Nashville it comprises of the bottom of 2^nd and turning right down Broadway. The area throbs at night with most of the bars playing live music.

Our first stop today was the Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame. The Museum takes the visitor on a journey through time, identifying and illustrating milestones in Country Music. The first floor is excellent and I really understood how this music developed from all the diverse influences. The second floor was less informative, showing mainly memorabilia and artefacts from the recent stars. The museum had wonderful exhibits including the Patsy Cline’s dress and Hank William’s famous suit (shown below).

Hank Williams' suit

Patsy Cline's dress

Elvis' gold piano

What does the best-dressed cowboy wear around town? Well these intrepid travellers went to look at some cowboy boots. I was expressly told, not to bring a pair of boots home with me. Well good news, I did not buy a pair but unfortunately acquired 3 instead. Nashville salesmen are very persuasive and it’s difficult to say no! The slightly better news is that the shop was offering 3 pairs for the price of one. So we all spilt it and came away with 3 very cheap pairs of boots. Forgive me Jacqui!

What does the best dressed cowboy wear around town?

What today's cowboy retirees are wearing? Nice legs!

We met an up and coming Country Music star who had come to Nashville from Texas to meet agents in town. Her name is Deidre Thornell. Please look at her website www.deidrethornell.com. Good luck Deidre.

Aspiring Country Star Deidre Thornell

Sixty different beers on tap. Oh dear!!

The Hard Rock Caffe

True John Le Hooker style!

Our Hotel was originally built by Country Star Roger Miller but has now been taken over by a multiple and renamed. Guess what it was called?........"King of the Road Motel". Sounds netter than the Day's Inn!

Roger Miller's "King of the Road" hotel

George Hamilton 4th in concert with his son George Hamilton 5th

Josh Turner