Nashville
Campground
Nashville KOA Resort
A typically well-kept KOA. This is a "resort", so there were many amenities; pool, "live" entertainment, store, outdoor games, etc. One of the really nice things is that a shuttle that runs from this part of Nashville to downtown - for $10! Can't beat that.
Things to see
Broadway Music Scene
Without exaggerating too much, every bar has a band. Just walk in. Quite often, multi-story bars have a band per floor! This was so much fun and you see so many different bands and people walking around. They block off a few blocks from auto traffic so just wander around! Did you know Nashville is the top destination for bachelor-ette get-aways? So many "pedal pubs" and party buses driving around.
Country Music Hall of Fame
There is simply so much to see, read and learn here. It can be overwhelming to see all in one visit!
Grand Ole Opry
We saw the Gatlin Brothers and Lorrie Morgan, among others. It is such an interesting experience to be a part of their live show.
Nashville Palace
This is a famous bar and dance hall not far from the KOA near the Grand Ole Opry grounds. This is where Randy Travis was discovered! They have a huge dance floor where they teach line dancing so we were so totally IN!
Old Town Trolley
One of the first things we do when we arrive in a new location is check out if there is a trolley tour available. The Old Town Trolley tour of Nashville did not disappoint. We learned a lot about the history of Nashville and Music Row.
Shelby Street Bridge
The Shelby Street Bridge spans the Cumberland River and offers a great view of downtown Nashville.
Yoga at Van Gogh Exhibit
While here, we started looking around at what other exciting things are in Nashville and we found this! Not only is the exhibit awesome, but to do yoga too! Count us in!
To make a long story short ...
Love, Tom
Tom Douglas is a member of the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. Prior to his admittance, someone had written him a letter. The writer was down on his luck and asking for advice. Tom's acceptance speech as, basically, a response to this letter writer. It was a letter of inspiration and reality and he signed it "Love, Tom".
Tom wrote so many songs for so many people during his career. He turned that acceptance speech, which can be found on YouTube, into a very intimate show where he tells that story and adds stories about some of the most recognizable songs he's written. Songs such as Tim McGraw's "Grown Men Don't Cry", Collin Raye's "Little Rock", and Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me". He performed all of these songs and it was so emotional to listen to these songs after hearing the stories that inspired them. I (Mark) have always known and played these songs but the performance of them now have so much more meaning.
Michael Mahan
Michael became a friend of ours when we lived in Hastings, MN. In about 2016, a new country bar opened up called "Country Nites Saloon". Their goal was to be like a typical bar Nashville, where music is performed every night of the week. There was a nice dance floor and plenty of different performers. Michael became a mainstay. I (Mark) played there quite a bit too, and we would often go in when Michael was playing, shoot some pool, give him some crap, etc.
Michael is a singer-songwriter and has spent quite a bit of time in Nashville. His mom was also a singer-songwriter and he has plenty of stories about the people he's crossed paths with. Michael still spends a lot of this time in Nashville but splits time in MN too. Ah, love. Love will make you travel across the country, right?
Since we were staying in Nashville, I just had to see Michael. He is a nut-case, in the most complimentary definition possible. He is one of the most intelligent people we've ever met and he's got that "mad scientist crazy" thing nailed. We're hoping to see him when we're in MN this August.