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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Grand Ole Opry

Here I am in Nashville.  A work trip.   I was supposed to work at the Edmonton Blues Fest this weekend too.  But a chance to go to Nashville.  Common.  What would you choose? 

Interesting trip down. Flew from Edmonton to Houston to Nashville.  40 minutes on the ground in Houston to get to the plane to Nashville.  In the air, the airport change the gate for the plane from Edmonton.  It was supposed to be close to our next plane, but they change to the farthest point and 3 terminals away from our boarding gat to Nashville.  On the plane they called for us and told us that we had a very short time to get to our plane.  At first the steward told us that no planes are flying to Nashville and we'd have to go to Memphis and rent a car.  That didn't sound so bad.  I could go see the old Sun Studio.   Anyway, he was pulling our leg.  Basically, they told us how to get to our next gate quickly.

Seeing that gate B67  was in two buildings away from Gate E12, we had to take the train.  40 minutes.  the plane pulls up to gate E12 - they can't get the unloading bridge to work, so we stuck on the plane.  time is slipping away.  they get the bridge working and we finally get off the plane.  We walk fast.  get directions to the train.  Catch the train to terminal B.  then its a long walk to gate B67.  Just happens to be the farthest away from the train terminal.  this is a big airport for a small town boy.  We get to gate B67 and they are just finishing boarding the plane.  Just made it.  

So we are now in Nashville.  It is hot and humid - at least for our comfort.  Nashvillians say it is a nice day.  We get to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  this is a huge complex.  Attriums all over the place.  Restaurants, bars, shops and thousands of rooms.   This is where our SWANA convention is.   And it is also where the Grand Ole Opry is.  But you got to bus across the resort lands to get to it. 

I got tickets for Friday night Grand Ole Opry about 2 months ago.  We picked up our tickets and took the bus over.   It wasn't on the web page, but Vince Gill was going to be there.  There was a lot of old country stars - and I mean old.  2nd set, out walks  Little Jimmy Dickens.  He's a funny funny man.   90 years old and about 4 foot 6.   I had to get photos.  

One thing about the Grand Ole Opry,  they encourage you to come up to the edge of the stage and take photos.  No videos though, but with all the technology today, how would they know.  I don't have video on my camera anyway. 

Anyway, I took advantage of the opportunity.  Here's a few shots that I took.

Little Jimmy Dickens

Vince Gill

Exile

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