An American experience
Recently my wife, Heide, and I were privileged to participate in a seven day trip to Nashville, Tennessee with the Hamlin Senior Citizens group. Under the capable leadership of Linda and Don Rabjohn, assisted by Eileen Preston, we enjoyed quite a variety of sights and sounds in “Music City” USA. Departing Hamlin at 8 a.m. on September 27, I recall the sound of a few voices including mine, attempting to sing the well known country song, “On the Road Again.” The guy really on the road was our capable driver, Don Saltsman, who we would learn had left home in Florida on August 20 and wouldn’t get back there until mid-October. He said it was his practice to volunteer for a few weeks driving up north each summer, but this year it got extended due to another driver having to back out for health reasons. In response to my question if there was better pay as opposed to shorter trips, he said no, but on these trips they are paid a salary every day, regardless of how much or how little they drive.
After three or four short stops on the way, we arrived at our first overnight in a motel just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. Following breakfast in the morning we were on our way south again, crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky and then on to Tennessee where we stopped for several hours at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum. Among many items there was a Wall of Fame for people who were involved in research and development of Farming. One of them was a gentleman who created the first variety of field corn that would produce more than a single ear on each stalk. Then it was on to a hotel, a few miles north of Nashville which would be our home for the next four nights. A few hours later we were taken to a restaurant for dinner.
The next day, our first event was a tour of the current Grand Ole Opry House, which seats 4,400 people, about double the size of the original Opry at the Ryman Theatre. Lunch was on our own at the Opry Mills, the largest outlet, dining and entertainment destination in Tennessee. From there we left with a step-on guide for a tour of Nashville and some of its environs, returning for dinner and departing at 6 p.m. for the Grand Old Opry Show.
The following day we started with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame which as expected had all sorts of items played, used, driven or worn by the CMA stars. Of special interest was information that showed the evolvement of Country Music from its origins in Blue Grass music created by settlers, based on the folk music of the countries they had come from which were mostly northern European. A recent addition was a section devoted to Sam Phillips (Sun) recording studios which produced many stars. Sam had a knack for recognizing basic talent in young performers and helped them develop it. That evening we enjoyed a delicious buffet and stage show at the Nashville Dinner Theater. The performers there were for the most part unknown to us but the consensus was that they were as good, or better than some at the Opry Show.
A visit/tour of the Belle Meade Plantation Antebellum home was our first item the next morning. This plantation was instrumental in breeding and development of race horses but fell on hard times after many years, in part because Tennessee had prohibited betting on horse racing. Kentucky did not and horse breeding and development industry moved there.
From there we went to historic downtown Nashville where we could explore on our own the many venues in an area known as “The District.” The success of this area is due at least in part to the city creating a 501c-3 tax exempt entity of the entire District that helps property owners maintain, improve and/or redevelop their sites. After a brief stop at the Willie Nelson & Friends General Store and Museum we were off to the Inn at Opryland for another great buffet dinner and show.
Regardless of your background or interest in country music, the things we experienced told a lot about how our country evolved and became what it is today. Music played a big roll but the faith, fortitude, ingenuity and work ethic of its people were the drivers. It was truly a great American Experience.
