Music – Gripped by Travel

“Welcome to Nashville, man what a great day / The first stop we’re gonna take you is a place called Broadway “ that how the comic duo that are Austin and Colin start off their funny, information and catchy song about Nashville. They take us on a journey through the sights and sounds of Nashville.

Welcome to Nashville – Austin and Colin.

Their first stop is Broadway and it’s a good place to get acquainted with the city. Located in the downtown area, it includes Lower Broadway which is renowned for its honky tonks and live country music as well as restaurants and a number of tourist attractions.

Honky Tonk Central – Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Austin and Colin are seen queuing outside the 100 year old former grain store, that is now the Acme Feed & Seed restaurant and music venue. Head for the rooftop bar with its views of the Cumberland River, the Nissan Stadium, the home to the Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Broadway strip.

Next on their list is Demonbreun, the area and the street are named after a French-Canadian fur trader who is known at the “first citizen of Nashville”. You can continue to follow their list which then takes you to Belmont, Hillsboro Village, Vandi, Green Hills, Frothy Monkey etc. However, you will probably be visiting for its musical connections and the museums.

Acme Feed & Seed Restaurant & Music Venue – Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Throughout the city you will find numerous music venues playing something to suit everyones taste, it’s not just country music that you will hear in Nashville. In addition you will probably want to head over to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum’s core exhibition “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music” tells the story of the origins of country music and its main contributors using artefacts, photographs, recorded sound, vintage video, and interactive touchscreens. You might want to also visit Music Row’s Historic RCA Studio B, the oldest surviving recording studio in Nashville, where landmark recordings by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and many others were made. Due to its size pre-booking is advised. Personally, I would be off to the Johnny Cash Museum by day and will be spending an evening at the Tribute to Elvis Show.

Johnny Cash Museum – Nashville, Tennessee, USA

For car nuts, just over an hour’s drive out of town will take you to Bowling Green, the home of the National Corvette Museum. On display are over 70 Corvettes displayed in periodic settings.

Memphis, Tennessee. I’m going to Graceland*“ The lyrics of the song by Paul Simon are based on his own road trip to the Graceland mansion, the home of Elvis. Simon himself drove from Louisiana to Memphis, Tennessee along Route 61 to help him deal with the heartbreak after the collapse of his marriage to the actress Carrie Fisher.

We of course want to travel for Graceland for happier reasons. To celebrate the life and music of the King of Rock and Roll – Elvis Presley.

In some ways there can’t be a better time to visit Graceland. The Gate of Graceland will reopen on 21st May and with social distancing in place that means visitor numbers are reduced to a quarter of the pre-Covid number. This means no jostling with other tourists to see everything.

Graceland isn’t just a house there is so much to experience. First and top of any visitors list is this is where Elvis lived. You feel like he could be just around the corner. See his wide range of costumes he wore on stage including the famous 68 comeback concert stagewear. Don’t miss out on seeing the famous pink Cadillac and wonder at his wall of gold records.

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