Things to do in Nashville, TN?

eyvindwa · #1 10-13-2008, 01:12 AM

On friday, I'm going to Nashville, TN, for a week to attend a conference (the OOPSLA, http://www.oopsla.org/). I come from Norway, so it is quite a long journey for me. Hence I'm looking for tips to make the most out of my stay there. I'm interested in:
- Bass/music-related stuff (gigs, cool shops, historic sites etc).
- General 'touristy' attractions that are worth checking out.

Thanks,

Eyvind.

Jeff K · #2 10-13-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyvindwa

On friday, I'm going to Nashville, TN, for a week to attend a conference (the OOPSLA, http://www.oopsla.org/). I come from Norway, so it is quite a long journey for me. Hence I'm looking for tips to make the most out of my stay there. I'm interested in:
- Bass/music-related stuff (gigs, cool shops, historic sites etc).
- General 'touristy' attractions that are worth checking out.

Thanks,

Eyvind.

Well, of course there is the Grand Ole Opry. Right next to that is Gruhn's Vintage Guitars, which is also world-famous. There are a bunch of clubs along Broadway (the main street in downtown Nashville). They don't look very impressive, but always have some talented musicians playing. Most are free (no cover charge), and the musicians play for tips. Check out "Tootsie's", "Legends", "Roberts Western World", etc. They're all in the same area.

If you're looking for more rockin' bluesy stuff, there are some clubs in what's called Printers Alley.

Nashville has a pro hockey team called the Predators. You might be able to catch one of their games if they play at home while you're there. I hope you have a nice time.

v-12 · #3 10-13-2008, 08:37 AM

get a burger from fat mo's!

Croox · #4 10-13-2008, 08:38 AM

isn't Dollyworld near Nashville

mrpackerguy · #5 10-13-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croox

isn't Dollyworld near Nashville

Actually, no. It's 4 hours to the east in Pidgeon Forge, near Gatlinburg.

I lived in Nashville for 6 years. The Parthenon off the West End is pretty neat. You can drive down Music Row and take in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not sure where you're staying, but the Opryland Hotel is fun to walk around. Of course the Ryman is an historic theater which predates the current Grand Ol Opry at the Opryland Hotel. The state Capitol building downtown is pretty neat to walk around. You could rent a car and head about 90 min south and tour the Jack Daniels distillery - but it's located in a dry county so you can't buy it there.

If you are adventurous, I'd drive the 4 hours east to Gatlinburg and drive through the smokies. Or, you could drive 4 hours west and go to Memphis and tour Graceland and get some good ribs on Beale Street.

There are some botanical gardens in Nashville called Cheekwood. We used to like walking through there. There's a Civil War battlefield that's pretty neat between Smyrna and Murfreesboro about 20 min south of Nashville called the Stones River Battlefield.

Is that enough?

jon118 · #6 10-13-2008, 11:15 AM

Someone already said Gruhn's Guitars, even if it is just to look and not touch, they have some pretty cool stuff there. The Musician's Hall of Fame is worth a look. It was pretty empty when we went there, so the owner came around a few times while we where there and told stories of the things that he had, very interesting with a great collection. The Country Music Hall of Fame was a lot less personal, but still pretty good, the RCA Studio-B part of that was the best part. Plenty of other good suggestions already though.

funkometer · #7 10-13-2008, 11:26 AM

The Low End Bass shop is in Murfreesboro!

eyvindwa · #8 10-13-2008, 11:38 AM

Thanks guys, some great tips here!

Calebmundy · #9 10-13-2008, 11:56 AM

Get some Barbeque. I highly recomend "Jack's" on Broadway, plus it's next door to all the clubs there.

I don't reccomend Gruhn's unless you like looking at vintage guitars. They don't have a ton of bass stuff there.

petersenbass · #10 10-13-2008, 03:03 PM

Yes, Jack's or Rippy's on Broadway both have great BBQ. If you can get to Murfreesboro, go see Brian at the Lowend. There are some decent college venues there,too.

Bourbon Street Boogie bar is on Printer's Alley, but it's hit or miss nowadays.

Emmanuel "Mani" Cole is the bassist for Stacy Mitchart. He's the house act at BB King's. He's a funky player.

Also, The Wooten Brothers still play every Wednesday at 3rd & Lindsley's for $5.
Victor is almost never there, but many amazing bass players sit in: Paul Chapman, John Billings, Keith Horne, etc...
The other Wooten brothers are badass too. Joseph on keys, Reji on guitar, and Rudy on sax.
I've seen Futureman sit in on kit a few times,but usually it's Raymond "The Iron Sausage" Massey on drums.
He is one of my favorite drummers. He's a Pearl Endorser, look him up everyone.

3rd & Lindsley's also has a live radio show broadcasted on Sunday nights. Different acts play each time, loical and national.
I recently saw J J Grey and Mofro do a show there....WOW. What a great act. Everyone should check them out.

Sambuca's, The Station Inn, and other "gulch" area bars have great music too.

PM me if you want to check out The Wootens. I may go meet you up there.

jiant. · #11 10-13-2008, 05:16 PM

Yes, +1 for Gruhn's, also check out Rock Block, they have an amazing guitar amp selection. Get a burrito from Baja Burrito, or head down the road a little further to Calypso Cafe. If you're looking for CDs or records, go to the Great Escape or Grimey's. So much awesome stuff to do there. I've only been gone a year and I can't wait to move back.

mrpackerguy · #12 10-13-2008, 05:38 PM

Bluebird Cafe was always fun, too for up-n-coming acts.

petersenbass · #13 10-13-2008, 10:03 PM

Rock Block doesn't have the bass selection it use to. Anthony Joyner used to be the resident bass man. When he was there, it was loaded with Eden, Roscoe, etc...

Still nice guys, but they don't have much except for a couple Ashdown amps.

Baja Burrito is awesome. It used to be my meal before every P.O. visit I had.

Bluebird Cafe is good if you can catch The Players. The Players also play 3rd & Lindsleys.
Brent Mason on guitar and Michael Rhodes on bass (sometimes Dave Pomeroy I believe)

The writers' night at Bluebird aren't what they used to be. There's no "garths" being discovered. It still has a no talking policy on writer nights. Don't ask for the salt during a song.

-

Calebmundy · #14 10-14-2008, 01:36 PM

Speaking of Sambucca, I am totally playing there on Sunday night.

petersenbass · #15 10-14-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calebmundy

Speaking of Sambucca, I am totally playing there on Sunday night.

Send me a myspace message www.myspace.com/scottpetersen

I could maybe try to make it. I love that place.
I played there a few times with The Karg Brothers.
I would use upright for set 1 & electric for sets 2-4.

What act are you playing with there?

Grizzly700 · #16 10-14-2008, 08:45 PM

GIBSON SHOP AND LOW END!!!!!!! YAY BASSES AND OTHER MUSIC-RELATED THINGS!!!!!!!!

petersenbass · #17 11-03-2008, 07:03 PM

Some friends of mine, The Last Straw, are playing an election party at
3rd & Lindsley Tuesday night.
They're a great upcoming southern/rock/jam band.