Howdy! I have a confession to make; I cheated on Broadway with Nashville this weekend. This little New Yorker visited THE city of country music, of my girl Taylor Swift, of cowboy hats, of southern accents and fried chicken. And here's my revelation: country music brings out a different side of me. I love the uniqueness of country music and the culture behind it and I love that, like the music of New York City's Broadway, it's about telling a story and connecting with the audience. I acknowledge that all music is trying to make an emotional connection of some sort, but the brilliant storytelling in country music allows me to relate to the singer and the song on a whole different level.
I started my night out in Nashville at the trendy Adele's for some locally sourced food and southern hospitality (the people in Nashville are so unbelievable nice everywhere we went - Nashville's reputation is well deserved). I indulged - how could I not - with delicious polenta with grana, kale Caesar salad, chicken with green sauce and a watermelon vodka cocktail. Then we headed over to the Grand Ole Opry for some tutelage on the best of the best in country music. Country Music Hall of Famers Vince Gill and Connie Smith performed, and relative newcomer cuties Austin Webb and Casey James also graced the stage. I walked away with a few crushes and a deeper appreciation for country music.
After the show, we moved on to Broadway Street (how perfect, I thought, am I going to love this city or what?!). The bars are nicknamed "honky tonk bars" (love the quirky name) and as I walked along the street I could hear the music wafting out of the bars. We bar hopped (so many choices) and found some great bands to listen to. One song I heard that night (sung by a lead singer playing a guitar and sporting a few tattoos along his arms) that I related to in particular was about lessons learned and knowing when to walk away from a person, a city, or a situation. In that moment I decided that country music is a form of therapy, a therapy that we could all use a dose of every once in a while. I also discovered my new favorite drink as recommended by the bartender: cider with a shot of fireball whisky. "It's my sister's favorite drink" he said. We headed back to the hotel around 2 A.M., our bellies full of good food and drink, and our ears ringing with the sounds of country music.
It was so much fun yeehaw'ing with you Nashville; give my regards to your Broadway Street, it's time for me to return home to mine.