Music City Notes (from a weekend in November)

Country Music Awards weeked in Nashville

Saturday, November 4

A glorious day that was the perfect fall day that we enjoyed on a 4.5 mile walk through the Warner Parks. After working up a really good appetite we went to P.F. Chang's for dinner. The food, service and ambiance were top notch.

We wandered downtown aferwards and stumbled across a concert in front of the Gaylord Entertainment Center and there we saw Josh Gracin perform for the first time in Nashville with his full band. What a show they put on! He worked the crowd like crazy and kept them interested and excited. He did his own songs that most everyone knew but also did some cover tunes as well. They covered the songs “Working For The Weekend” by Loverboy and "Jump" by Van Halen and the whole place was loving every second of it.

His whole band was really good but the ones who got my attention were the guys on bass, drums and lead guitar. They were were incredible and the lead guitarist looked just like Jeff Daniel’s character in Dumb and Dumber. Big difference though this guy had talent and the ladies seemed to love him.

Gretchen Wilson played before Josh. She was a surprise guest and I don't believe she had a large crowd. We missed her entire show but heard that it was really good from a guy who went staggering past us.

The night was beautiful with a beautiful moon and all the lights on in Nashville to show off all the beauty we have.

After the concert we went over to Past Perfect and had a really nice time there listening to a local singer/songwriter who had a really soulful voice and provided great music for the setting. Talked a little bit to Matt Buttel, the owner, who was a wonderful host. Past Perfect has really blossomed into a nice place to stop in for a visit while downtown and you will always feel welcome there.

Nashville was truly alive all day Saturday!!

Monday, November 6, 2006
We went back to the G.E.C .to see Sugarland as well as Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora perform live for Good Morning America. We arrived at 5:45 and had to wait until around 7:45am before Sugarland finally walked out on the stage. They did wave a little to the crowd but that was about it. I was surprised at how the didn't really try to work the crowd like I expected but the boys from Bon Jovi had the crowd all worked up when they came out. Richie was hanging around the backstage area talking to people and seeming to be having a really fun laid back time while Jon hid in the tent until time to hit the stage. There were quite a few folks disappointed with that but once he hit the stage no one seemed to care. It was a lot of fun to see them in such an intimate setting and to feel the buzz off the crowd. I know I may not do that sort of thing all of the time but it was fun to be out there so early with everyone and watch it all happen.

I think as "Music City" it would be nice to have that sort of thing more often. Fun, talented bands that jam out on the weekends. Count my vote in for that.