Nashville, Tennessee

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
Renfro Valley, Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee

200.1 miles
Heavy rain

I seriously considered not driving today, because the weather was really nasty, but I had tickets to the Grand Ole Opry tonight, with Alan Jackson headlining!!! Couldn’t miss that one!!

So I headed out – I really wish it wasn’t so rainy and dreary and gray – the rolling hills in central and southern Kentucky offer the most spectacular fall colors I’ve seen yet! There are a lot of evergreens amidst the colors, so the contrasts make it all the more gorgeous. Tried a couple pictures, but it just doesn’t come thru. I’m just glad I’ve taken so many other photos over the last few weeks to help me remember how magnificent the display can be!

A few places I passed are good indicators of how the reputation of the area came to be – like the “Longhollow Coon Club” and “Piggy’s Corner Bar”. Such a difference from the elegant horse country to the north! Thankfully, mostly it was the lovely countryside!

Reminds me – yesterday, I had to laugh (to myself, of course) – the mechanic, Brownie, and all his family (his mother, his son and wife and three young boys, who were all underfoot the entire day), had such heavy back country accents that I could hardly understand a word they said! Especially the kids – I said a lot of ‘uh huhs’ and such, simply because I had no idea how to respond. And they never stopped talking! I finally took Penny back to my bedroom area and closed the door, “so Penny wouldn’t get in their way”, because I simply couldn’t figure out what they were saying most of the time!

Back to the drive thru the rain drenched countryside, and oh how I wish I could send the rain to southern California.

There are a number of huge manufacturing plants and technology centers in Somerset and Pulaski County – I’m sure the costs to operate are way lower than many other areas – for instance, Valley Oak Technology Complex “is located on 150 gently rolling acres, covered with lush bluegrass, framed by majestic oak trees and profiled by natural limestone rock. Ponds, trails, flowerbeds and gazebos will further enhance nature’s postcard beauty. The deed and covenant restrictions assure that future technology buildings, daycare facilities, food courts and utilities maintain the image of a high tech oasis in one of America’s most desirable, rural settings.”

Saw quite a few Corvettes in the area, and soon passed the turnoff to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

And then came Nashville, nestled in among the trees. Music is big business here! And it’s obviously a favorite stop for the RV set – there are at least 5 or 6 big RV parks in a row right here on Music Valley Drive, just a couple miles from the Grand Ole Opry.

As I mentioned, I had a ticket to the Tuesday Night Opry – a two hour live radio broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House. I lucked into a terrific night – there are usually 8 entertainers, playing about 15 minutes each. There truly is a special spirit in this place, and the entertainers obviously take the honor of being a member of the Opry seriously.

This night opened with Jeannie Seely - “”best-known for her 1966 Grammy award-winning Country hit, "Don't Touch Me", which peaked at No. 1 on three major Country charts. She was one of Country music's most successful female vocalists of the 60s. . .she’s rated #11 on the list of the Most Influential Females in Country Music History.” She’s showing her age, as we all are, but puts on a great show, and is a great opener, telling funny stories and getting the audience into the show right away!

Next came Rebecca Lynn Howard who’s vocal and songwriting talents have drawn critical acclaim both within and outside the boundaries of country music. Pretty young thing who writes songs for many top talents.

Mel McDaniel, with his long blonde hair and black hat, is known for “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On”, #1 in 1984 and still popular, being used, among other things, for a ring-tone on cell phones! Known throughout the music industry for his high energy shows, he offered us his signature performance of “Stand Up,” where he encourages everyone to “Stand up for the U.S.A.”, then walks off stage with the flag waving, with everyone in the Opry house standing up cheering enthusiastically with patriotic spirit.

The Grascals came up next – they just earned their second consecutive Entertainer of the Year award at the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Awards show, with terrific musicians doing fun and serious bluegrass songs. They surprised us by inviting Dierks Bentley, who was to sing for us later, to join them on stage for a song.

Bill Anderson, “Known as “Whispering Bill,” a nickname hung on him years ago as a result of his breathy voice and his warm, soft approach to singing a country song brought out several old favorites. “His credentials shout his prominence - one of the most awarded songwriters in the history of country music, a million-selling recording artist many times over, television game show host, network soap opera star, spokesman for a nationwide restaurant chain, and a consummate onstage performer. His back-up group, The Po’ Folks Band, has long been considered one of the finest instrumental and vocal groups in the business.”

Dierks Bentley had the girls in the audience screaming in ecstasy. He’s cut his hair, and I didn’t recognize him until he started to sing. I didn’t know he was born in Phoenix until looking him up just now online! His first hit, in 2003, was “What was I thinking” and anyone who listens to Country knows it – perfect country song – he won my heart with that one!

Little Jimmy Dickens charmed the entire audience. “Little” because he’ less than five feet tall! A master of the country novelty song, as well as a renowned ballad singer, he’s the Country version of Liberace, with his affection for flamboyant, rhinestone-studded outfits and humor. Sweet, diminutive, positively funny and everyone loved him!

Alan Jackson needs no introduction – gorgeous, handsome, sexy, and oh yes, he can sing! He was in town to record a cut for a new gospel album, and sang that one, among others. And he had something in his pockets, maybe candy?, that he was tossing out into the audience. The girls were rushing the stage to get pictures and whatever it was he was tossing out. I tried to put a video I took of AJ singing in here, but after 10 hours I lost the signal and lost all the work. Oh well!

What a grand night at the Grand Ole Opry!


Wish I could justify staying til Saturday when Josh Turner and Vince Gill are on the playlist! I’m almost glad the only show with available tickets is at 11:30 or some such late hour, which I’d have trouble staying awake for!

Two Rivers Campground
"Where you enter as customers and leave as friends!"
2616 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, TN  37214
615-883-8559
www.tworiverscampground.com