Nashville

While existing in the cell phone free zone that is Soddy-Daisy, Miss USA abandoned her husband and child for a day of debauchery in Nashville with us. Okay, maybe not so much debauchery as all that, but we had a good time. Miss USA enjoyed a day being baby-talk free and we got to see some amazing musical talent.

We first stopped at the Country Music Hall of Fame (Of course, this is ME after all) where I proceeded to forget my camera in the car. Brilliant, I know!

The main exhibit was dedicated to the Williams family (Hank, Hank Jr. and Hank III) and their exploits over the years.

There were some amazing classic vehicles on display. One such (Miss USA got a picture of it so maybe she'll let me borrow it) was a classic vehicle once owned by Elvis which was painted a creamy, pearly white. The placard next to the vehicle informed us that the paint was custom made from diamond dust and fish scales.

Yuck.

It sure was perrty though.

From the museum we went to Broadway.



While on Broadway we went into a little bar called Layla's that Miss USA had been to before. Inside we listened to an amazingly talented group of men.



I guess the name of this group is Jim Hampton and the Hamptones but the lead was being carried by Darren Dixon. These guys were very entertaining and could play just about anything that you threw at them - well, if it were a broad enough request like 'play something with lyrics'. haha. No, seriously, they rocked out some classics like Lynyrd Skynyrd or some newer songs by Dirks Bentley.



The second band to play was Jypsi. I was trying to find one of their songs called "Mr. Officer" which was hilarious but couldn't. Anyway, they are some wonderfully talented musicians. Their stage presence seemed a little weak though - they were too busy talking amongst themselves to interact with the audience much.



We also, while in Nashville found some fun little shops to explore. Here Meg and Miss USA are trying on disguises. (And no, we didn't read the no photos until after purchase sign until after the photo.) I think these were at the Willie Nelson Museum gift shop.



Which is located, conveniently enough, in.....



Okay, maybe not IN but next door to the museum dedicated to Hazard County's most notorious citizens, the Dukes of Hazard! *swoon*



And parked right out front was the General Lee himself. I was a little giddy but Miss USA took my picture and I snapped a few of the car myself. Then, in honor of Roscoe P. Coltrain we assumed the position.



All in all I loved Nashville - the people were nice and entertainment was plentiful.

I did have one problem while here in Tennessee, it has been really difficult not to pick up a Southern accent. Maybe it's in my genes, maybe it just sounds natural to my ear - but not wanting people to think the chick from Massachusetts is mocking them, I have to really think about HOW I am speaking around here. Never had that problem in New England, so it's been interesting.