|
|
Nashville, Tennessee |
 |
|
|
Nashville, Tennessee |
|
|
2003 |
One of the advantages of traveling the way we do is that we can change our plans at the last minute. We discovered that Charlie and Della Akins were going to be in Nashville, but would probably leave before we planned to be there. So we rerouted our trip to make it to Nashville while they were there. Charlie and Gerry were stationed together in Corpus Christi. Charlie & Della's two sons have opened a restaurant in nearby Portland and Mom and Dad were there to help out a while. Of course we had to check out the restaurant.
The Purple Panther Charlie hard at work Charlie & Della
A trip to Nashville wouldn't be the same without seeing the Grand Ole Opry. It was especially great to go with Charlie and Della. Getting tickets at the last minute meant choosing between really great seats or upper balcony and we chose great seats. No regrets! The show lasted two and a half hours with a separate host for each half hour segment. Since its a radio show, the commercials were short and snappy and the whole program moved quickly. It was a wonderful show!
Holly Dunn Bill Anderson Connie Smith
The next day we were on our own and checked out Nashville downtown. The Ryman Auditorium, where the Grand Ole Opry was held for many years, was a must stop. You would never guess who showed up on stage.
The Country Music Hall of Fame was well worth the stop. Only no cameras allowed. Several big screens showed clips of top stars talking about their country music idols and a couple of theaters showed videos, one of Tim McGraw & Faith Hill on the road and at their concerts, another showcased the big names of country music. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
We only had time downtown for lunch on that one day, so chose the Wildhorse Saloon. It, too, is quite a place and the food was marvelous.
Come on in! One of the wild crowd Another member of the wild crowd
