Every single person that we met in Nashville gave us strict instructions to visit the “Pancake Pantry” (pictured to the right) before we left town. It was an absolute mandate. So, on the morning of our last day in Nashville we fulfilled the commandment and stuffed ourselves with some of the finest pancakes in the entire world.
From left to right: Daddio, Dave Binck, BV show, Jess, Charly, Me
Charly Salvatore, our gracious host in Nashville, Tennessee has had a side job at the Bluebird Cafe for a while now. Fortunately for him, the Bluebird Cafe is world famous singer/songwriter venue and has propelled his career in the world of country music. The Bluebird is listed in a few “1000 places to visit before you die” books.
Basically, for the last 25 years the Bluebird has been a venue where songwriters can showcase some of their works in a very up close and personal way. The artists sit “in the round” facing each other. There is no percussion or bass and the artists talk back and forth and interact with the audience. Talking is not permitted at all. The physical structure and location of the Bluebird is weird. Its more or less a dive bar positioned in a shopping center.
Charly got us hooked up at the Bluebird on our night there. We saw Lari White, Chuck Cannon, and Gary Nicholson. Chuck has written or co written a lot of Toby Keith’s big songs. Dave Binck, Benny, Daddio, and I are collectively far from country music fans. Nonetheless, we were all spellbound by the delicate way the music is presented in this quirky, country environment. Sadly, Jess was feeling a bit under the weather and did not make it out. She would have loved every second of the experience.
Sidenote: Although I think most people do not give a damn about the state of the music industry now a days due to song swapping and file sharing. It does hit home when you visit a place like Nashville and meet the actual songwriters. While it may be hard to feel sorry for Garth Brooks or Metallica, its fairly easy to connect with the struggles of a Gary Nicholson or a Chuck Cannon.
After the Bluebird performance we all went to “the Greenhouse”, a bar in the neighborhood that is actually a “real”greenhouse. We met up with Ruthanne and Missy whom Dave and I received Texas two step classes from the previous night. Can you believe that our new friends actually baked us cookies for our trip to Memphis the next day? How can anyone not love southern hospitality. We actually got invited to crash a real life Nashville wedding with the girls the next day. Sadly, we needed to get on our way to Memphis and could not make it happen. I am sure I would have fit right in with my Afro, tshirt, and jeans. Or, on second thought maybe not.
NEXT UP: Memphis, Tennessee
Popularity: 2% [?]
soneone seems to be taking to comfort food of the south, mmmm pancakes
I have looked in the mirror maby times since this picture and have decided that I am not nearly that fat. thankfuly.
That’s because you made your mirror face, Daddio.
You are dead wrong buddy. You are that fat. So are the rest of us. Life on the road does not make dieting easy. The first step is to admit you have a problem and either go to weight watchers or Ethiopia.
DF