I Am a Motorcoach . . .

. . . wishing I had some capacity for rhythm and rhyme. This honky-tonk town – known to many as Music City – has a look of foot-stompin’ fun on just about every street and around every corner. The town appears to be all about vibe, built on vibe, fueled by vibe. And the vibe is always expanding, a fact proclaimed by ever-present cranes making vertical impressions on the cityscape like overused exclamation marks. They welcome every return to Nashville, some having shuffled around to new locations, but always there.

With state of the art electronics, I can fulfill the vibe requests of my passengers (“It’s a little loud, can you turn it down a bit?” “A little more volume please, I can barely hear it and I really like this one.” “No, no, down a notch or two.” “Can we skip this track? I don’t really care for this one.”). But that’s about all I’m able to contribute to the music scene. I wasn’t designed for responding to the vibe myself. An intentional omission, I’m sure. A motorcoach must at all times proceed in a controlled, sensible and orderly manner.

Selfies

(which by definition means I’m in them . . . though you might have to look for me)

OK . . . there was the one time at 11th and Laurel . . . maybe just a wee bit of reaction to the vibe. This is about as close as I get to emoting.

Oh, and there was that recent evening at Night Life Theatre. As usual, the folks returned from the show all smiles. But they were especially lit up about some champion fiddle player named Tigar, who apparently oozes the vibe.

Of course, many of my passengers are country Music fans. But one recent Nashville trip included numerous experienced Country Music performers. They did an open mic thing and spread the vibe from St. Louis to Nashville.

The buzz during a late spring visit was about Nashville’s hockey team. The team caught the vibe of late, and it’s helped them to a place among the NHL elite. Predators they’re called. Here I am at the Predators’ VIP entrance outside Bridgestone Arena (via Music City Center reflection). I tried, but I’ve got no predatory ferocity in me; my pose produced the same happy red statement as always.

And here I am enhancing the image of VIBE-CENTRAL. Everything you ever wanted to know about the origins and movements of Country Music is at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Demonbreun St and 5th Ave. Right across the street is Music City Walk of Fame Park. A block north is Ryman Auditorium, “The Mother Church of Country Music.”

MEETING THE NEWS on the roadways of America, first-hand, real time, real world news—going out and discovering the news . . .

THREE-STAR NEWS: The symbol sits in a field of red on the Tennessee state flag and is found throughout Nashville like branding to rival the Nike Swoosh or the Golden Arches: three stars in a round field of blue. The three stars represent East, West, and Middle Tennessee, the three “Grand Divisions” of the state. The blue circle binding them represents their unity.

MOTHER CHURCH NEWS: The Ryman Auditorium was famously celebrated as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. But it opened in 1892 as Union Gospel Tabernacle. Founded by Thomas Ryman, a prominent riverboat businessman, the original intent was a large indoor place of worship where the citizens of Nashville could hear the preaching of Samuel Jones, preaching that had radically changed the course of Ryman’s life. From its earliest use the auditorium proved ideal for various forms of musical entertainment and well known public speakers, secular and religious. Union Gospel Tabernacle was renamed Ryman Auditorium at the memorial service of its namesake in 1904. Not only has the Ryman provided a stage where many of the greatest names in Country Music gained national and international renown, it has also been the location for memorial services for Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, and numerous others. Aside from Country Music greats, the Ryman has hosted Louis Armstrong, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Cold Play, and many others. Attendees of shows at the Ryman today still sit in pews.

(Unlike selfies, these are not about me, but about travel discoveries I think you’d like to know about.)

The Grand Ole Opry. While it is now in a beautiful modern venue, the Opry is a one-of-a-kind showcase tradition. It is a fun, fast-paced experience filled with Country Music history, culture, and talent.

Quote Of The Day samples

“The sad part about happy endings is there’s nothing to write about.” – Tammy Wynette

“I’d rather be politically dead than hypocritically immortalized.” – Davy Crockett