Music City, USA

  

I have always loved country music.  I mean, it is REAL, you know?  Recently, we took a little trip to Nashville, TN.  I was very excited, so was my oldest, Kaylei.  You see, she is my songbird.  

She sings in church and pretty much everywhere else.  She has a habit of walking up to people saying, "Can I sing for you?"  I don't know how she does it.  I do, however, know from whom she gets it. 

My Grandaddy, Leo "Lip" Lockhart had a beautiful voice.  He even recorded a few albums.  No he didn't get rich off of his voice, but he sure loved singing.  He passed away about 3 years ago.  He did not pass the voice on to me, but several of his great grandchildren possess his musical ability.  Seth, my nephew, sings, plays the drums, and plays the guitar.  My niece, Randa, sings in church, but refuses to sing for me in private.  Kaylei, my angel, sings with all she has. 

Anyway, we drove to Music City.  Five hours in a car with two girls!!  It went pretty good on the way up, just because they were excited.  We took the girls to the Opryland Hotel.  They were so impressed.  I mean, there is a river inside!!  We took the overpriced boat ride and had a ball.  Feel free to enjoy the pics. 

  

  

   

Funny thing:  They were having a  Twilight convention at the hotel.  I know, fancy that!!  Needless to say...I didn't run into Edward, Bella, or Jacob.  Booo!!  Still, it was a beautiful site to see and the girls were in awe.   

The next day, we had a beautifully sunny day.  Temps were nice, so we decided to take a little stroll down Broadway.  We saw a lot of neat things.  Kaylei stood and watched a girl sing.  She was mesmerized.  I think she still has not grasped the point that she was actually walking the same streets her favorite performers walked when they were "nobody."  She loved the historical parts of the trip.  She posed next to Elvis.  We stopped in Ernest Tubb's Record shop.   



 We drove past the Ryman Auditorium.  We drove down Music Row.  She didn't get it.  We drove past GAC.  Still not getting it!  Maybe one day....They both loved the BIG Boot, though.  Ice cream on Broadway was much more exciting.  But there was much more in store for my baby girl.  Much more indeed.  For THIS was her birthday, and TONIGHT we were going to the Grand Ole Opry!!  Although, most of the performers were not ones she was familiar with, she was still very excited.  She knew a few Diamond Rio songs, and we have been aquainting her with some Terri Clark music.

Curtain opens, and she gets her first glimpse of Little Jimmy Dikens.  She could not believe how tiny he was!  Also, she found it hard to believe he was 90 years old.  She loved the music, and Kate danced and clapped along. 

Then, Terri Clark came out.  She sang "Girls Lie Too".  Kaylei liked it immediately.  She thought she was very pretty.  I guess she has never seen her on TV.  She was even more impressed when she saw Diamond Rio and she knew the songs.  Her favorite part, however, was the video of Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley talking about the May 2010 flood that threatened the future of the Opry.  Go figure!!  All in all, it was a great night. 

  

The girls really enjoyed the County Music Hall of Fame Museum.  It was pricey, but we did enjoy seeing all of our favorite's personal items on display.  I thought Kaylei would pass out when she saw Brad Paisley's guitar!  

 

Next stop.....Wildhorse Saloon.  You know, the one where all the line dancin goes down on TV!  It turns out the lunch menu is really limited...really!  We paid way too much for our food, but my girls got to say they danced there.  They twirled each other around, and it was priceless!




Now on to the BEST part of the trip....Nothing like a beautiful sunset over Mississippi!  There really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!