In Downtown Nashville, Play Something Country.
Living in downtown Nashville, it's not hard to find something to do on the weekends, or any night of the week for that matter. I think sometimes I take for granted the fact that I live in the heart of Music City, a stone's throw from the Ryman Auditorium and mere blocks from some of the world's greatest honky-tonks. So, last weekend, my friends and I ventured out for a Tennessee Saturday night and some live country music.
Inevitably, we had to wait in line to receive our obnoxious hand stamp, and since I always manage to get to Broadway right at band change time, we had to wait once more. But, I was sure the spiky-haired brawny young man approaching the mike would not disappoint and we'd soon be enjoying our cold brewskys along with some toe-tapping country favorites. As he sang the first notes of to his off-key version of "Dixieland Delight," people didn't seem to mind and continued to sing along and toast the occasional "holler ‘n' swaller." But if their second-rate version of an Alabama fan-favorite wasn't bad enough, it soon turned to a ghastly cover of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and only got worse.
Needless to say, we weren't the only ones confused. This was downtown Nashville on a Saturday night? I understand not being able to do justice to the common bar songs like "Devil Went Down to Georgia" or "You Never Even Call Me by My Name," but when you mix in Metallica and Green Day, it simply doesn't work. When people go to the honky-tonks in Nashville, they want to hear country music. They expect it.
My friends and I soon high-tailed our way out and instead made our way in to our favorite honky-tonk on the corner. Ahhh, some George Jones and Merle Haggard songs. "Yaaaaa Wooo Hooo" -- they played something country.
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Dave says:
“Country” means different things to different people. I don’t mind that there are a number of bars playing types of country (and other) that I don’t particularly care for, as long as there are bars that play what I like. As long as Robert’s Western World stays open (and the Station Inn, if you’re venturing off-Broadway), there is always the opportunity to hear some fine “traditional” country music.
Emma says:
Whitney, I’ve ben all over this country, but one place I haven’t been is Nashville. Even though, I can’t see how someone would come to Music City for COUNTRY music and mix in Green Day and Metallica’s music. While I intend to go to Nashville sometime or another, I just pray we have good luck finding good music to listen to.
kayefun says:
Hey Whitney, I’ve not been to Nashville, but if I ever get there I want to ‘joyfully waste’ as much time as possible at the ‘Bluebird Cafe’(observer, listener),see what other places might be like the ‘Bluebird’ then on to anything about the ol’ time country music. Of course listening to the new ones writing, singing, and trying to break in - all will not sound ‘perfect’.
At my (yes I’ll say it)age (gasp), I’m not so much into the ‘mixing’ of music genres? (spelling suspect) but I really did enjoy CMT Crossroads with Maroon 5 and Sara Evans. I have it taped and am gonna replay it - the one that really got me was that duet with the words, “….she will be loved”, it was haunting. I’m thinking the point is if folks are gonna mix the music when playing out at a bar in anytown, (but especially Nashville) they should do it with skill.
Randy says:
Whitney, you are lucky…here in the Bay Area of California ( most all of California, for that matter )…you cannot go to any club or former honkytonk without hearing Hip Hop music blaring out.
Count your blessings
Kate says:
I have to say, the mixed music would be a bit confusing. When we come to visit Nashville, I guess we’re just some of the many that “expect country” as you say! We really enjoy the live music atmosphere and love country music! It’s why we come so they should definitely stick to it.
BRENDA says:
We here in Indiana have to drive to Nashville to hear something country. Can we come live with you? I love reading your blog it is very entertaing.
sunkie says:
Awe, Capitol of country Misic-Nashville. City of the Good Ole’ USA and down home living. I remember back in the early 90’s, someone once wrote about Branson Missouri being the new country capitol of the U.S.A. In fact it was stated, “Would the last person in Nashville, please turn off the lights?” Well, let me tell you did that writer get it all wrong. Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds with music surrounding the entire city. Writers like Whitney keep the country music alive and draw all of us into the music scene. What a wonderful blog. Keep up the good work and let me see, “Would the last person in Branson, for God’s sake, please turn off the lights.”
Thommy King says:
Whitney,
As you stated in your first paragraph, you live in the heart of “Music City”, I note you did not say you live in the heart of “Country Music City”. Yes Nashville is the home of country music, but since you live in “Music City” USA you should be open to other forms of music coming from there. For example there are some great rock acts coming from the area like Paramour and Kings of Leon. So Nashville’s nickname “Music City” does not pertain only to country music. Nashville is called “music city” becasue there is a great blend of country and rock music coming from the same area.
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