March 5 to 8 Nashville TN

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Jerry spent most of today installing a back-up camera and a WiFi booster antennae/router on the trailer that we bought back in November.  Both seem to be successfully working.  The camera should help for backing up but also seeing what's going on behind us when towing.
Antennae and camera at rear of trailer






WiFi Booster Antennae


The WiFi booster antennae is held on with a big suction cup and comes down when on the road.  
Misty does not seem impressed.  This is her screen shot. LOL
Friday we hopped on a tour and saw a fair bit of the city.  Our tour guide was not overly informative but we did visit the Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium.  It was originally a place of worship - the Union Gospel Tabernacle was built in 1892 by Thomas Ryman (1843–1904), a Nashville businessman who owned several saloons and a fleet of riverboats. The story goes that he was converted to Christianity by revivalist Samuel Porter Jones.  The theatrical film presentation on the history was excellent.

 The Ryman is the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and is called "The Mother Church of Country Music."  In 1925, the first Opry broadcasts started on WSM radio from there. The radio show is still being broadcast regularly though now from the Grand Ole Opry House.  In 1974, the show was moved to a newer state of the art 4500 seat theatre built exclusively for the Grand Ole Opry.

 The Ryman was in bad shape and it remained dormant with only a few films made there until 1991, when Emmy Lou Harris recorded her album "At The Ryman" because of the incredible acoustics. This was the impetus for the renewal and rehabilitation of the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman has a long and rich history if you want to know more check out Wikipedia.




Next we toured The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.


Kris Krstofferson





That evening we went to the Opry WSM broadcast and saw a variety of amazing artists and musicians.  Very professional ... incredibly fast change-overs and I give credit to expertise of the sound, lighting and backstage crew.  

We left early for the show and took some time finding our parking area.  There is a covered walkway to the Opry House front door and as we walked along, a couple was rushing ahead of us.  I remarked on this because there was lots of time yet.  Since we were so early, we decided to visit the almost empty gift shop first.  As we entered a TV screen was displaying a great concert. (Jerry spent most of the time watching the TV). We wandered about, went through security and visited the washrooms.  I noticed that the place was pretty quiet but figured it was still pretty early.  As I came out of the ladies room (quite nice BTW) Jerry told me that we had missed almost an hour of the show! The show started at 7:00 pm and we thought it was at 8:00 pm!  Yikes - dummy us not paying attention to any of the clues we passed.  HOWEVER, and we have to emphasize that the customer service here in Nashville is incredibly good ... one of the hostesses arranged for us to take a free post show back stage tour! 



Saturday we took a shuttle into the city (because Jerry didn't want to drive in the downtown) and walked to Gruhn Guitar about 5 miles - uphill.  Along the way, we stopped at Carter Vintage Guitars.  Here and at Gruhn, Jerry compared his 1968 Fender Telecaster to others in the stores and was pleasantly pleased that it was fairly more valuable than he thought.  He'll have to have it re-appraised for insurance. 

At Gruhn, a very nice guitar shop indeed, we went to the second floor by invitation accompanied by staff to view "higher price range" guitars like this Les Paul for $98,000 USD and the ones beside it.  

$98,000USD.  The Fender Telecaster beside it is a 1969  $8,000USD (My Tele is a 1968)

I was able to sample (play) a Martin acoustic listed at $48,000 USD, the most expensive guitar I've ever touched/played.  Very nice.  Jerry left with two Gruhn pics (free) and a fleece with the Gruhn logo that Elizabeth said could be a Christmas present.  NICE STORE!

We then went to Broadway street via Uber and, well, just check this short clip:  

https://youtu.be/eUnH-Rl-YTQ

We went to the Downtown Presbyterian Church which was designed in the Egyptian Revival style.  Unfortunately, it was locked up tight.  No touring right now.


We visited Roberts - a jam packed bar, listened to a great sounding band and had a hamburger/grilled cheese lunch.



Exciting and interesting day.  You could spend hours in the Broadway street area alone.  This town is ALL about music.  




A short tour around the walk of fame.  Elizabeth noticed the windows on the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum were laid out in the form of a piano keyboard. 


Back home, in the office/store, Willie is waiting...tired like us!  
Traveling tomorrow 9 March...

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