Downtown Nashville. The historic Ryman Auditorium is the brick a-framed building center-left.

Country Music Hall of Fame. The windows are like the black keys on a piano.

Union Station. A 100+ year old restored train station - now a hotel.

Nashville Music City

Downtown Nashville at Dusk

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. Notice the acoustic guitar.

Jack's BBQ, where we had a fantastic southern meal

Cowgirl D

Inside the Ryman Auditorium, looking across the balcony. The building is more than 100 years old and a national historic site. The Grand Old Opry started in this building but now only broadcasts from here in the winter months, when tourism slows down so it was a great time to visit and see the show in the historic building.

Inside the Ryman Auditorium. We were seated near the front of the balcony - GREAT seats!!

Onstage at the Grand Ole Opry

Jimmy Dickens. 88 years old, quick with the music and the jokes!

Diamond Rio

Randy Owens (from the band Alabama)

Marty Stuart

Vince Gill performing his new song "Heaven"

View more photos from Tennessee, Nashville and the Grand Old Opry

Our big fun here in Nashville was our evening of exploring what the downtown has to offer. Jamie and I walked Broadway Street in the older part of the downtown where there are some very lovely old buildings  that reside next to modern buildings and museums. We saw (did not tour) the Country Music Hall of Fame and the huge center where the Country Music Awards will be aired from next week. Broadway Street is peppered with little pubs, restaurants, churches and shops. There are cowboy/girl hats and belts and boots for sale all over. I was momentairily tempted by a teal pair of cowgirl boots stitched with other colours of leather in daisy patterns…but I managed to resist. The little bars and pubs we walked passed all had live music and cheap beer specials. There was a different tune coming out of every place reflecting just how diverse “country music” is, from honky tonk, to bluegrass, to more rock infused sounds.

For supper tonight we found a great authentic bbq place called Jack’s. The neon pink pig sign caught our attention as did the long line-up…you know what they say about the place with the long line-up…join it! We were not dissapointed. We got a real taste of southern cooking at its finest. Authentic Tennessee smokehouse bar-b-q is not to be missed! Between us we tried pork shoulder, beef brisket and sides including: corn bread, baked beans, cinnamon apples, mac & cheese and green beans, all paired of course with iced tea. I think a little part of us died and went to southern culinary heaven.

After our good eats it was off to….THE GRAND OLE OPRY!!!! We caught an early show in the historic old Ryman Auditorium, and what a show it was. Neither one of us considers ourselves to be a big fan of country music but are so glad that we went. The lineup included some very big country stars like, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Randy Owen (of  band Alabama) and the very charming, 87 year old Jimmy Dickens. The music and entertainment was fantastic and we are so glad to have taken in the show. The Grand Ole Opry has been running shows since 1925 which are performed live and broadcast over the radio for everyone to enjoy.

Now it is time to head off to bed as our day of relaxation has come to an end. It is back on the road for us in the morning with somewhere in Virginia as our destination. More news and pictures to follow.