Arrived around 7:00 PM and got a spot at the "Grand Ole RV Park" about 15 minutes outside Nashville and Opryland. Nita made reservations for Saturday Night's performance, so we spent the day going to a historic home where the James Gang had "holed up". One ofthe members got arrested and the rest plus Jesse & family left the following day We didn't go inside as there were men restoring the house. Probably damaged by the flood several years ago and just not getting to the restoration until now
We stopped in at "Johnson's bee Farm" and met Robert and Bern (wife) and bought some Bee Pollen, which is a "energy pep upper" like the 5 Minute stuff and some Wildflower Honey. It's the best of all the honey produced by the bees. We had a good conversation about the diminishing bee swarms and the probable causes. Personally, I believe the toxic chemical from the Monsanto Company is killing them off. The chemical is the one that the FDA approved for farmers to increase the size and growth of vegetation. Thus, the bees pollinate the vegetables and it in turn the toxic chemical kills them. Money and politics got the chemical approved and it prevents investigating the real damage it does..
The Opry was a good show and a mixture of old and new performers. The line up included: Frankie Ballard, Ralph Stanley II and his father Dr. Ralph Stanley. I was disappointed that Dr. Ralph didn't sing any solo's. He is now 87 and looks to be a bit frail. Also, there was John Conley, who also hosted, Riders In The Sky who certainly looked their age. They were the background music for all the Roy Rogers Western Movies. Remember them?. There was also Lorrie Morgan, who sang a few of her old songs, Jim Ed Brown, a long standing member, Aaron Tippin, Jim Lauderdale, Jeannie Seely, the Whites,and a first time appearance at the Opry, The NEEDTOBREATHE Band. They are a young gospel singing group who are gaining in popularity. After a standing ovation, they sang an extra song. Jeannie Seeley closed out the show.
Sunday, we met Joan Mc Dougal and Debbie Smith, mother and daughter, and cousins of Nita at Applebee's for a really nice visit. After being introduced to them, Debbie said "I'm a hugger" and I said I am too. What a nice way to start a friendship. They spent a few hours updating each other and reminisced about old times and relatives with promises to meet again sooner than the several years since the last visit. Joan gave us a gift for remembrance.Nita got a beautifully decorated Jade egg and I got two Buckeyes for good luck. Got one in my pocket now.
Next on the agenda was to locate Nita's Mother, Bernice Bloodsworth's grave at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Afterwards we drove to 711 Fatherland St. to locate the home where Jesse James and family was living when his gang member was arrested. Odd that there wasn't a plaque in front of the home.
From there we drove to the Union Train Station which had been restored and converted into a Hotel. The lobby was absolutely gorgeous. One of the two huge fireplaces had been restored but modernized, yet it was beautiful with the clocks above it and the same on the other end but with no fireplace. I'm told that the fireplaces were so large that a person could walk inside them. Must have taken a cord of wood at a time to heat the building. The restored ceiling was beautiful as well.
Next on the slate. was to go to the "Hard Rock Cafe" on 2nd Ave and Broadway. Have to get my souvenier pin to add to my collection. I have them from Philadelphia, Boston, Florida,Guam, Australia, just to name a few. While there we met a young lady (our waitress) and shared our trip with her. She reminded me of my grand daughter, Jaclyn ,in Melbourne , Australia. Paige Brown is a 20 year old student who has two jobs as well as a school schedule and is majoring in the Music Business Field.. She is a singer, songwriter and musician. Said she had been to Australia years ago. We talked about our going to Alaska and gave her a "Boomer Bus" blog card. She said she just may fly up there and join us for a week or so. She was a wonderful living example of the generation we hear very little about. Certainly not an "entitlement group" person. An attentive, smiling and very efficient waitress.GOD Bless her.
Can't go to Nashville without walking down" Broadway" in Music city, the home of Country Music. It's a city within a city and everywhere you walk there is a Restaurant/Bar packed with tourists/locals/star wanna be's/hookers, playing & singing country music. The streets have /druggies/beggars/singers playing country music or just begging for their next "fix". We even walked by a trash receptacle that had music emanating from it. Across the alley from the Ryman's Auditorium (original one) is "Tootsies Bar" alley entrance where legend says that Earnest Tubb (an original Grand Ole O'pry member,) as well as many others, dashed across the alley between shows to down a "quick one", I don't think very many ever get "discovered" in any of them, but they do have "already discovered/stars" who will frequent them when in town. Usually to build up their fan base or was paid to help the owner attract business.
The original Ryman Auditorrium is located on 5th Ave. They have tours (daytime) or you can just walk in without taking the tour.I was there in 1956 around August (I think) and I remember it well. Really a gorgeous auditorium. A round circle of flooring, near the microphone, was removed and laid in the center of the new O'pry house as a circle of fame.
As a treat, we stopped in at Savannah's Candy Kitchen and bought an ice cream cone and some delicious freshly made Pralines. Yum,yum
Well of course I loved this particular blog post a bunch as it had a picture of my Beautiful sister Joanie and my Beautiful niece Debbie. Thanks for the pictures Jesse & Nita! I'm trying to catch up on my FB and Blogger pages!!! love, rhonda
ReplyDelete