WLAY Radio neon sign - Muscle Shoals, AL WLAY Radio AM 1450 is an influential station in developing the "Muscle Shoals Sound." The decades-old sign was refurbished in 2023 for the stations 90th Anniversary. The best I can tell, this sign features a mascot of a microphone-person (or perhaps a DJ behind a Mic) named Mike W-LAY featuring a tall hat with a 4-leaf clover. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLAY_(AM)
"The Judges Court" - Stan Gill The man depicted on this statue is J. Stanley Gill. As a retired judge, he worked as a youth golf instructor. This statue is located at Little Course at Conner Lane, which is located along US31 on the north side of Franklin. Stan Gill is also the father of Country Music star Vince Gill. He is wearing a hat which says "Vinny" as Vince Gill's Vinny Invitational was held at this course.
Gruhn Guitars mural - Nashville, TN located along 8th Ave. (US31) in Nashville's Waverly neighborhood.
Legends Corner Mural - Nashville, TN This mural of country music starts is located at one of the most prominent intersections in downtown Nashville, along the Honky Tonk Highway. This specific establishment at the corner of Broadway and 5th Ave. is called Legends Corner
Bill Mack plaque - Shamrock, TX Bill Mack was a country music radio DJ and songwriter with a hometown of Shamrock, TX. Here, he is depicted with a microphone from KWFT in Wichita Falls where his career took off in 1958. He was best known for his time as the Midnight Cowboy show broadcasting during the overnight hours from the powerful WBAP in Fort Worth. This plaque is accompanied by a detailed marker seen here: www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=164026 This plaque is located at the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn along Route 66 in Shamrock, TX.
Roger Miller Mural - Erick, OK noted singer-songwriter Roger Miller was from Erick, OK - a town also crossed by Route 66. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Miller Following Miller's death, his widow opened a museum in his hometown. The museum is located along Route 66 in the main intersection in town. This road in town is also known as Roger Miller Blvd. Although the museum is now closed, the mural remains. The mural's artist is Jeks One: www.instagram.com/jeks_nc/?hl=en
Charlie Daniels Mural - Mt. Juliet, TN This 2023 mural is located in the historic center of Mt. Juliet at a new commercial development named Charlie's Place. It was painted by Michael Cooper of Murals & More. Daniels and his wife lived in the community for 55 years. News article: www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/mt-juliet/2023...
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge neon sign - Nashville, TN This modern neon sign is located at one of the most prominent establishments along downtown Nashville's Honky Tonk Highway.
Bill Monroe Statue - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN I like the detail on this statue, such as the Gibson logo on the mandolin to the "Father of Bluegrass" belt buckle. nashvillesites.org/records/bill-monroe-statue Address 116 Fifth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219 Coordinates Latitude: 36.1613 Longitude: -86.7789 Description Commissioned in 2017 by the Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc, this bronze statue of Bill Monroe (1911-1996) was made by sculptor Ben Watts. Monroe’s life size statue statue stands next to the Tennessee Historical Commission historical marker commemorating the 1945 “Birth of Bluegrass.” Monroe is holding a mandolin, an Italian stringed instrument used in folk music around the world and popularized in the United States in the 1880s. The mandolin is central to the high lonesome sound of bluegrass music, named after Monroe's band, the Blue Grass Boys. This statue was unveiled in commemoration of the Ryman Auditorium's quasquicentennial.
95.9 The Ranch FM neon sign - Ft. Worth, TX This neon sign for a country music Radio station is downtown Ft. Worth. I don't have a date on the sign, but the station started broadcasting in 1970 but switched to Country Music in 1981.
Leon Russell Mural - Nashville, TN This is one of a series of Nashville musician murals in the Pie Town area of downtown. It's somewhat hard to find on the Industrial Fire & Safety building at 608 Ash St., in a parking area along at the end of an alley. It's close to the rebuilt Division street, which also adds to the difficulty. These murals are six years old, have fading and chipping paint, while some have vandalism. The murals feature: The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson), Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton and Leon Russell. nashvillepublicart.com/2018/07/21/fire-and-safety-part-2/
Patsy Cline Mural - Nashville, TN This is one of a series of Nashville musician murals in the Pie Town area of downtown. It's somewhat hard to find on the Industrial Fire & Safety building at 608 Ash St., in a parking area along at the end of an alley. It's close to the rebuilt Division street, which also adds to the difficulty. These murals are six years old, have fading and chipping paint, while some have vandalism. The murals feature: The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson), Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton and Leon Russell. nashvillepublicart.com/2018/07/21/fire-and-safety-part-2/
The Highwaymen Mural - Nashville, TN This is one of a series of Nashville musician murals in the Pie Town area of downtown. It's somewhat hard to find on the Industrial Fire & Safety building (hence all the fire extinguishers) at 608 Ash St., in a parking area along at the end of an alley. It's close to the rebuilt Division street, which also adds to the difficulty. These murals are six years old, have fading and chipping paint, while some have vandalism. The murals feature: The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson), Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton and Leon Russell. nashvillepublicart.com/2018/07/21/fire-and-safety-part-2/
Minnie Pearl Made Out of Chicken Wire I believe this is an amazing piece of Southern country culture. Ifrst, it's part of the legacy of how the town of Centerville has honored the local legacy. But it's also from a local artist using a rare art form and it appears in a quaint location. The story begins with this statue from 2005: flic.kr/p/h243t Unhappy with the way city leaders treated the town square traffic leading to the statue, it was moved several times. The city fixed town square traffic and in 2016 then commissioned this chicken wire statue to placed in the same spot as the first. Recently, a more traditional statue was placed on the square: flic.kr/p/2pvxXxq The Chicken wire statue needed a new home. A local garden club had the perfect spot. On the east side of town where highway 100/48 cross the Duck River, there's an intersection with the old highway runs between a rock bluff and the river. At that intersection is the Centerville Bluff Garden and this art has been moved to a natural ledge halfway up the bluff. Map: www.google.com/maps/@35.7851792,-87.4571496,3a,75y,354.66... The Artist is Ricky Pittman. He intended to make more or Pearl, but the project was unfunded. However, he was commissioned to make a Dolly Parton out of Chicken Wire for the Graduate Hotel in Nashville. He has a website here: egrapevinestore.com/blog/
Loretta Lynn Statue - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville Loretta Lynn was the third (now there's a fourth) statue located outside of Ryman Auditorium along their Icon Walk. The statue was placed in 2020, a couple of years before she passed away. 60 years before the statue was placed, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut - and the night before, she and her husband slept overnight in their car just a few feet away from this spot.
Modern Coca-Cola Mural - Layman Drug Store - Nashville, TN This 2016 Mural is painted on the side of a historic drug store in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Nashville. The building was in disrepair for a while, until about 8 years ago it was refurbished into a recording studio. The mural above the Coke Mural is vintage and the older layer us estimated to be 130 years old. the white paint layer says: ANDREW MARTIN -- DRUGGIST -- PRESCRIPTIONS CALLED FOR AND DELIVERED -- CIGARS CANDY & FOOD. On top of that, in yellow letters says LAYMAN DRUG CO. -- PHONE 255-5127
Hank Williams Jr. Boogie Bar neon sign Part of the Honkey Tonk Highway - the touristy areas around Broadway in downtown Nashville.
Charley Pride Statue - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN Charley Pride is the the 2023 addition to Ryman Auditorium's Icon Walk - the 4th statue on display on the Ryman grounds. www.ryman.com/story/check-it-out-the-rymans-new-statue-ho...
Johnny Cash's Tour Bus Temporarily on display at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. You can go inside with a tour ticket. On loan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Has a JCASH1 Ohio license plate. Originally built 1979 by Motor Coach Industries (MCI) MC9. Nicknamed J.C. Unit One There were 4 compartments for Johnny, Wife June, son John and the bus driver. It is estimated Cash spent $553,000 for the bus, including customizations. Cash sold the bus two months after June died. He couldn't stand to have it once she was gone since it was filled with so many memories of her. He died two months later.
New Minnie Pearl Statue - Centerville, TN The town of Centerville loves their local Grand Ole Opry celebrity Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, better known by her stage name of Minnie Pearl. In the last two decades, there has been an interesting saga of Pearl artwork on the Centerville town square at the old Hickman County Courthouse. It started when a 2005 statue was placed on the town square. (2006 photo: flic.kr/p/h243t ) City leaders were concerned visitors to the statue were blocking town square traffic. The town wanted to move the statue further from the road and closer to the building, but the situation caused friction Rod Harris who commissioned the statue. (Ironically, the issue was resolved a few years later when all traffic was routed on the other side of the square.) In 2009, the statue was moved to the lobby of the Commodore Hotel in Linden. Then, it was moved to the Grinders Switch Winery, and then the museum at Murray State University. I suppose he got tired of moving the statue, so it's back at the Commodore Hotel, maybe for good. The square needed replacement Minnie Pearl art, so in 2016 local artist Ricky Pittman created an eight foot tall statue of her out of Chicken Wire. Four years later, it was moved out of the middle of town to a rock bluff which overlooks the river and the main road into town. It was moved to make way for the newest project seen here. In 2020, the newest statue of Pearl was unveiled as she sits on a bench. This one was created by Columbia artist Jennifer Grisham. Read more about the creation of this one here: www.columbiadailyherald.com/story/lifestyle/2020/11/02/co...
Downtown Nashville Taco Bell Guitar Sign This Taco Bell is located in the tourist area of downtown Nashville along 2nd Ave. The inside was also a small music venue. They also had a poster of a guitar with the tuning knobs replaced by tacos.
Nashville Musician Mural - Frankie Pierce Park side A This mural was painted in August 2023 in Downtown Nashville's Frankie Pierce Park, which is home to several great murals. This mural is painted on the inside of an arch bridge with the painting completely covering the inside. The sun appears at the top, with six musicians on each side. (This was photographed with my cell phone's ultrawide camera.) The musicians are: (Help me if I'm wrong on these.) Martina McBride, Minnie Pearl, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Ernest Tubb, Tina Turner. Here's the artist's view: www.instagram.com/p/CwP7aE0uVG8/?hl=en More details on the bridge: It was built by L&N railroad (today CSX) in 1925 for one track to cross over Gay Street. It is a closed spandrel arch bridge with 5 concrete arches. There are beams which run between the arches which create the horizontal lines in the picture. I'm not sure what the beams are made of. The railroad tracks form a Y here at the end of the gulch, so there are two train bridges near each other for three consecutive streets. Although it's downtown, it's corporately undevelopable space so turning it into a park was a great idea. While the parallel streets (Nelson Merry and Josephine Holloway (aka Jo Johnston)) are open to traffic, Gay St. is now closed to traffic here, and is instead part of Nashville's Gulch Greenway.
Nashville Musician Mural - Frankie Pierce Park side B This mural was painted in August 2023 in Downtown Nashville's Frankie Pierce Park, which is home to several great murals. This mural is painted on the inside of an arch bridge with the painting completely covering the inside. The sun appears at the top, with six musicians on each side. (This was photographed with my cell phone's ultrawide camera.) The musicians are: (Help me with the three I don't know.) Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Hank Williams Sr. Here's the artist's view: www.instagram.com/p/CwP7aE0uVG8/?hl=en More details on the bridge: It was built by L&N railroad (today CSX) in 1925 for one track to cross over Gay Street. It is a closed spandrel arch bridge with 5 concrete arches. There are beams which run between the arches which create the horizontal lines in the picture. I'm not sure what the beams are made of. The railroad tracks form a Y here at the end of the gulch, so there are two train bridges near each other for three consecutive streets. Although it's downtown, it's corporately undevelopable space so turning it into a park was a great idea. While the parallel streets (Nelson Merry and Josephine Holloway (aka Jo Johnston)) are open to traffic, Gay St. is now closed to traffic here, and is instead part of Nashville's Gulch Greenway.
Dolly Parton Acme Feed & Seed Mural - Nashville "If you want the rainbow... you've got to put up with the rain." This Dolly Parton Mural was painted by Mackenzie Moore in Oct 2022. It is located on the side of Acme Feed & Seed in downtown Nashville along 1st Ave. and faces the Cumberland River. There's also a huge light pole three feet in front of this mural, so this view is only possible with my cell phone's super wide angle lens. Uploaded in honor of Parton's new Rockstar album.
Alan Jackson's Good Time Bar The modern neon sign for Alan Jackson's bar is located on Broadway in downtown Nashville.
Fox & Locke neon sign - Lieper's Fork This is a rather new neon sign for the Leiper's Fork establishment which had formerly been Puckett's Restaurant and Grocery.
Sparta Tennessee Home This mural by ExploreSparta.com is located in the middle of town along Bockman Way (US70). I like how the top half of the guitar is made to look like a scenic road through the hills.
Patsy Cline's Dream House - Goodlettsville, TN According to the historic marker: This is the "dream house" of country music icon Patsy Cline, born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932. Roy Acuff offered her a job by the age of 16, but she opted to sing with a local group back home in Winchester, Va. She changed her name in 1953 and debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1955. She got her big break in 1957 singing "Walkin' After Midnight" on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. In 1973, she became the first female solo artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is in Goodlettsville, a suburb of Nashville on the north side. She and her husband bought the house in 1962. She only lived in the house for one year before dying in a plane crash. The home was then sold to Wilma Burgess. The home was up for sale a year ago. Thus, many pictures from the inside were available on real estate websites. tasteofcountry.com/patsy-cline-house-home-pictures-nashvi...
Roy Acuff marker - Maynardsville, TN Country Music Hall of Famer Roy Acuff grew up in the town of Maynardsville, TN. The Union County History Museum in town also has many Acuff display pieces. This plaque (as well as one for Carl Smith) is located on a wall in front of the Union County Courthouse.
Chet Atkins Statue - Downtown Nashville After Chet Atkins’ death in 2001, Bank of America commissioned Tennessee sculptor Russell Faxon to create this statue in his honor. The life-sized bronze statue of Atkins is situated outside their Nashville headquarters at the corner of Fifth Avenue (Now Rep. John Lewis Way) and Union Street. Atkins is depicted sitting on a stool and playing a guitar. There is a second stool (not pictured) to the right so you can have a photo opportunity as a duet.
Dolly PartHEN - Frizzle Chicken - Pigeon Forge Frizzle Chicken is a one-of-a-kind tourist restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN. The highlight is dozens of animatronic chickens which surround the patrons. Each chicken is named after a celebrity with a poultry pun like Dolly PartHEN, Dwight YOLKam or Elvis PresLAY. Then, every so often they sing together, as you can see in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zTAfGPEW-E
Dolly Parton BLM Mural - East Nashville This mural is located on the side of Spot, which is about a block away from Five Points in East Nashville. It was completed in August 2020 by local artist Kim Radford. Learn more from this AP story: apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-music-entertainment...
Dolly Parton Statue - Sevierville, TN This statue of Dolly Parton was placed in front of the Sevier County Courthouse on May 3, 1987. According to the plaque, the Sculptor is Jim Gray and it was made possible through the generosity of the people of Sevier County. Recently on a TV interview, Dolly shared this story: After my dad died, one of my brothers told me that daddy used to put a big bucket, a big oil drum, of soapy water and a broom in the back of his truck and late at night he’d go down to the statue and scrub all the pigeon poop off [the statue],” Parton admitted. “It touched me. I cried my eyes out! My daddy’s gone but the pigeons are still there – I’m not sure who is doing that now.”
Loretta Lynn's tour bus Hurricane Mills, TN If you look closely, there is a coal miner painted by the door.
Chet Atkins plaque - Maynardville, TN This plaque dedicated to Chet Atkins is located in front of the Union County Courthouse in Maynardville, TN. Chet Atkins Internationally acclaimed guitarist, musician, business leader and humanitarian Born June 20, 1924 Corryton-to Luttrell Road Union County, Tennessee
Carl Smith marker - Maynardsville, TN In front of the Union County Courthouse in Maynardsville, TN are marker for locals who became famous. This one is for country music star Carl Smith.
Hank Snow's Rainbow Ranch - Nashville, TN This is the long-time estate of Country Music star Hank Snow. He lived in this house in the Madison neighborhood for 44 years until his death in 1999. While the house is called Rainbow Ranch, there is also a barn in the back yard which was used as a recording studio and has the words Rainbow Ranch painted on it. I took the picture at this angle, which is the only way it can barely be seen from the street, along with a tour bus. You might need to view the picture at full size to see it on the right. This home is now available as a vacation rental: hanksnowsranch.com/index.html The Rainbow Ranch was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. I was inspired to upload this photo today because of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary.
Tex Ritter Statue - Carthage, TX Carthage, TX is the home of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. The most prominent musician from the museum is the "Singing Cowboy" Tex Ritter who lived in Carthage. This statue of Ritter and his horse was sculpted by Bob Harness and is outside the museum. I was inspired to post this photo today because of the Ken Burns Country Music Documentary. On a personal note, I lived in Carthage when I was a toddler while my dad taught at Panola County Junior College for a couple of years. I hadn't been back to Carthage in over 35 years, when I had an opportunity to pass through town this summer. My wife and I drove from Nashville with minimal stops for 10 hours so we could find my old house before sunset. There was enough ambient light left for me to see one thing, and I chose this statue. Ironically, my parents never told me Ritter was from Carthage, and instead would mention Jim Reeves. Unfortunately, his monument was too far out of town for us to get to.
Jimmie Rodgers Museum - Meridian, MS I was inspired to upload this photo after watching some of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. Since Jimmie Rodgers had an early railroad career, someone thought it fitting to put his museum inside a vintage train station which I assume was moved here. This museum is located inside Meridian's Highland Park. Text of the historic marker: Birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers Born Sept. 8, 1897, at Meridian, Miss. Known as the “Singing Brakeman,” Rodger's recordings of Southern blues and ballads greatly contributed to the world-wide popularity of a distinctly American musical form.
Home of Hank Williams Caboose The Boyhood home of Hank Williams is in Georgiana, AL and this caboose is on the property.
Wedding of Hank and Audrey Williams Mural - Andalusia, AL Hank Williams was 19 years old in 1943 when he began dating Audrey Sheppard who played stand-up bass in his band. They were in Andalusia on Dec. 15, 1944 when Hank was having car trouble. They stopped at an auto garage owned by John G. Wright, Sr. one block east of the town square (E. 3 Notch St. @ Central St.). In the auto garage, they were married by Justice of the Peace M.A. Boyett that day. Many decades later, artist Wes Hardin painted this mural to commemorate the event on the side of the same building which used to be Wright's Auto Service.
Hank Williams' Boyhood Home - Georgiana, AL Text of the marker: Hiram Williams lived in Georgiana from age 7 to 11. In 1931, Mrs. Lillie Williams moved Hiram and his sister Irene from rural Wilcox County to this house owned by Thaddeus B. Rose. When he was 8, his mother bought him a guitar for $3.50. Black street musician Rufus (Tee-Tot) Payne became his teacher. Hiram practiced guitar under the raised-cottage house and sang on the streets for tips. The family moved to Greenville in the fall of 1934 and then to Montgomery in 1937 where, at age 14, Hiram began calling himself ‘Hank.’
Grand Ole Opry guitar Outside the gates of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN are two guitars for tourist photos, one acoustic and one electric.
Grand Ole Opry electric guitar Outside the gates of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN are two guitars for tourist photos, one acoustic and one electric.
Site of Dottie West's Fatal Car Accident This cross marks the spot where Country music female vocalist Dottie West was in her fatal car accident on the way to a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the story: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dottie_West On August 30, 1991, West was scheduled to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Shortly after leaving her apartment at Nashville's Wessex Towers, West's car, a Chrysler New Yorker that Kenny Rogers had given her following the loss of her possessions at the IRS auction, stalled in front of the old Belle Meade theater on Harding Road. West's 81-year-old neighbor, George Thackston, spotted her on the side of the road and offered to drive her to the Opry for her scheduled appearance. Frantic about getting to the Opry on time, West had urged Thackston to speed. Thackston lost control of his vehicle while exiting at the Opryland exit on Briley Parkway at a speed of 55 miles per hour; the exit ramp was posted for 25 miles per hour. The car left the ramp, went airborne and struck the central division. West did not believe that she was as badly injured as her neighbor had been and insisted he be treated first. Officers who responded to the scene incorrectly reported that she did not seem harmed at the time. West herself was under the same impression, however she suffered severe internal injuries and proved to have suffered both a ruptured spleen and a lacerated liver. Her spleen was removed that Friday and, the following Monday, she underwent two more surgeries to stop her liver from bleeding; these ultimately failed in that effort. Doctors said that West knew the extent of her injuries and even visited with Kenny Rogers shortly before her last operation. On September 4, 1991, during her third operation, West died on the operating table at 9:43 a.m., at the age of 58.
Triangle Diner - Winchester, VA - Patsy Cline worked here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Diner The Triangle Diner is a quintessential American diner in Winchester, Virginia. It was built in 1948 by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company of Elizabeth, New Jersey. It is one of the best preserved classic diners in America, with close to 100% of the original features still intact. Key features include elaborate stainless steel ornamentation on the exterior, rounded interior ceiling with hidden lighting cove on all sides, a counter with stools and booths for patron seating, and terrazzo concrete floor. O'Mahony was one of the most significant and prolific diner manufacturing companies of all time and is often regarded as the company that set the highest standards for diner construction quality and craftsmanship. Every aspect of the structure's form and function was very carefully designed and optimized. O'Mahony is considered a father of the American diner and builder of the "Cadillac" of American diners. His company's work served as an inspiration for other diner manufacturers throughout the 1940s and 1950s. The Triangle Diner is an outstanding example of "Moderne architectural features" that are representative of the stainless steel prefabricated diners of the post–World War II era. The entire diner building – approximately 43 by 16 feet – was built at the O'Mahony Diner Company factory in New Jersey and once fully complete was then transported by train nearly 300 miles to Winchester, Virginia. It has been at the same busy intersection in Winchester since it first arrived there, more than 60 years ago. While diners of this design somewhat resemble and are often confused with railroad cars removed from their wheels, these buildings were never railroad cars. The Triangle Diner was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior on March 31, 2010, and was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register on December 17, 2009. The building is currently closed pending completion of a very comprehensive historic restoration, including roof repair, and upgrades to plumbing, air conditioning/heating and electrical systems. It will also feature an upgraded and enlarged kitchen in the rear of the diner building. The Triangle Diner is the older of only two stainless steel O’Mahony diners in Virginia. Of the more than 2,000 O'Mahony diners once built, only a few dozen still remain nationwide. Country music legend Patsy Cline worked at the diner for three years after dropping out of high school to help support her mother and siblings.
Gibson GuitarTown - Driving Force in Entertainment In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The Driveing Force in Entertainment guitar by artists Barbara Coon and Brad Gaidos was originally placed at the William Morris Agency in 2004. Now it appears at Nashville West shopping center.
Roy Acuff's Opryland House In the early 1980s, after the death of his wife, Mildred, Roy Acuff, then in his 80s, moved into a small house on the Opryland grounds and continued performing daily at the Grand Ole Opry. He arrived early most days at the Opry before the shows and performed odd jobs, such as stocking soda in backstage refrigerators. Seeing the exterior of the house is part of the Grand Ole Opry tour, but anyone is able to walk up to it at any time.
Roy Acuff's Opryland House Plaque In the early 1980s, after the death of his wife, Mildred, Roy Acuff, then in his 80s, moved into a small house on the Opryland grounds and continued performing daily at the Grand Ole Opry. He arrived early most days at the Opry before the shows and performed odd jobs, such as stocking soda in backstage refrigerators. Seeing the exterior of the house is part of the Grand Ole Opry tour, but anyone is able to walk up to it at any time.
Grand Ole Opry House From Wikipedia: The Ryman Auditorium was home to the Opry until 1974. By the late 1960s, National Life & Accident desired a new, larger and more modern home for the long-running radio show. Ryman Auditorium, already 51 years old at the time the Opry moved there, was beginning to suffer from disrepair as the downtown neighborhood around it fell victim to increasing urban decay. Despite these shortcomings, the show's popularity was increasing and its weekly crowds were outgrowing the 3,000-seat venue. The Opry's operators were seeking to build a new air-conditioned theatre with a greater capacity, ample parking, and the ability to easily serve as a television production facility. The ideal location would be in a less urbanized area of town, providing visitors a more controlled, safer, and more enjoyable experience. National Life & Accident purchased farmland owned by a local sausage manufacturer (Rudy's Farm) in the Pennington Bend area of Nashville, nine miles east of downtown, and adjacent to the newly constructed Briley Parkway. The new Opry venue was to be the centerpiece of a grand entertainment complex at that location, which would later come to include Opryland USA Theme Park and Opryland Hotel. The theme park opened to the public on June 30, 1972, well ahead of the 4,000-seat Opry House, which debuted nearly two years later, on Saturday, March 16, 1974. Opening night was attended by sitting U.S. President Richard Nixon, who played a few songs on the piano. To carry on the tradition of the show's run at the Ryman, a six-foot circle of oak was cut from the corner of the Ryman's stage and inlaid into center stage at the new venue. The artists on stage usually stand on the circle as they perform. While the theme park was closed and demolished following the 1997 season, the Grand Ole Opry House remains in use. The immediate area around it was left intact through the construction of Opry Mills, which opened in May 2000. The Opry continues to be performed every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at the Grand Ole Opry House from March through November each year. The Grand Ole Opry House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 27, 2015. In May 2010, the Opry House was flooded, along with much of Nashville, due to the Cumberland River overflowing its banks. While repairs were made, the Opry itself remained uninterrupted. Over the course of the summer of 2010, the broadcast temporarily originated from alternate venues in Nashville, with Ryman Auditorium hosting the majority of the shows. Other venues included the TPAC War Memorial Auditorium, another former Opry home; TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall; Nashville Municipal Auditorium; Allen Arena at Lipscomb University; and the Two Rivers Baptist Church. Much of the auditorium's main floor seating, the backstage areas and the entire stage (including the inlaid circle of wood from the Ryman's stage) was underwater during the flood. While the Grand Ole Opry House's stage was replaced thereafter, the Ryman circle was restored and again placed at center stage in the Grand Ole Opry House before shows resumed. The remediation following the flood also resulted in a renovated backstage area, including the construction of more dressing rooms and a performer's lounge.
Legends of Country Music race It seems like these days many baseball teams have some type of mascot race between innings. I think it started with the Milwaukee Brewers and their Bratwurst races. Ever since the Nashville Sounds have played at First Tennessee park, they have the Legends of Country Music Race. Johnny Cash is out to an early lead, followed by George Jones, and finally Reba McEntire - who eventually wins the race on this day
Gibson GuitarTown - Twang In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The Twang guitar by artist Doug Jones was originally placed downtown in 2004 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now it appears at Nashville West shopping center.
Gibson GuitarTown - 50 Years of George Jones In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The George Jones guitar was created by artist Brooke Sisco and was originally placed in 2004 at Bobby's Idle Hour Tavern on 16th Ave. Now it appears at Nashville West shopping center.
Ryman Auditorium Stage from the Balcony I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage. The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium Backstage Tour View I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage (This view). The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium Stained Glass I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage. The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium Stage View from floor I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage. The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium Balcony I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage. The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium 1897 Confederate Gallery I am one of those people who has always said 'I've lived in Nashville m entire life but has never been to the Grand Old Opry." I still haven't been to a show, but at least now I have taken a tour of the historic concert venue. I do think the self-guided tour is well worth the money. This includes the opening video, which was far more interesting than a typical tourist site video. The guided backstage tour is probably best suited for the biggest country music fans as photos are not allowed except for one backstage view of the stage. The place is full of history, from the architecture, wooden construction, Opry barn backdrop, stained glass windows and the Confederate Gallery. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium
Williamson Branch Here are a couple of members of the bluegrass playing family Williamson Branch. This was seen at the Franklin on the Fourth 2016 celebration
Gibson GuitarTown - Carter Family In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The Carter Family guitar is named "They Started it!" which is written down the neck. Other messages are "Keep on the Sunny Side" and "You owe us Big!" The Artist was Sheila Bartlett and was originally placed in 2004 in front of the CMT building on Commerce St. Now, it appears along Music Row in front of Curb records next to the Johnny Cash guitar.
Hatch Show Print neon sign (2016) Hatch Show Print is the famous poster manufacturer that makes prints the old-fashioned way. Today, they are located inside of the Country Music Hall of Fame along 5th Ave. Previously, when I had photographed their sign, their shop was on Broadway.
Johnny Cash Museum neon sign During Cash's lifetime, his museum was located at his business office in Hendersonville, TN and was known as "House of Cash." This modern museum is one of the top museums for country music fans in Nashville where it is located along 3rd Ave. in downtown. This neon sign was not here on my previous walk through the area in the Spring of 2015 www.johnnycashmuseum.com/
Gibson GuitarTown - Johnny Cash In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The Johnny Cash guitar was made by Marsha Rusk and is located in front of Curb Records along Music Row. it is next to the Carter Family guitar.
Opryland's Country Christmas Snowman Musician Opryland Hotel doesn't have just any snowman for their Country Christmas celebration. Their snowmen have tree limbs for arms. Plus this one can play the banjo and the harmonica!
Opryland Hotel Christmas 2015: Guitar A Suspended from the ceiling at Gaylord Opryland Hotel's original Garden conservatory are four large guitars.
Opryland Hotel Christmas 2015: Guitar B Suspended from the ceiling at Gaylord Opryland Hotel's original Garden conservatory are four large guitars. Hello to anyone who found this here: rove.me/to/nashville/christmas-lights
Opryland Hotel Christmas 2015: Guitar C Suspended from the ceiling at Gaylord Opryland Hotel's original Garden conservatory are four large guitars.
Opryland Hotel Christmas 2015: Guitar D Suspended from the ceiling at Gaylord Opryland Hotel's original Garden conservatory are four large guitars. Looking for last minute Christmas presents with one of my photos set to a Bible verse? Check out this link to my Zazzle store. Available as Prints, posters or greeting cards.
Bobby's Idle Hour Tavern Bobby's describes itself as the only live music venue along Nashville's Music Row. Fans of Roadside America will recognize this for it's 10 ft tall moldy weather-worn 2D guitar playing musician statue
Robert's Western World - Nashville Broadway Robert's Western World - Home of Sho-Bud - Honkytonk Heaven - Hillbilly Grill - Honky Tonk Grill This sign is along the touristy part of Broadway (US70) in downtown Nashville. Sho-Bud was a manufacturer of steel guitars and Robert's store was their warehouse. The neon guitar has the name Brazilbilly, which is their house band.
Birthplace of CMT, now TBN Auditorium In the early 1980's it looked like Hendersonville was going to become a prime country music tourist destination. Johnny Cash set up the House of Cash on a highway named after him. Conway Twitty built his mansion and tourist destination Twitty City. Across the street, several smaller venues opened up and collectively they became known as Music Village USA. After Twitty's death, his entire property went for sale and was purchased by the Trinity Broadcasting Network which opened Trinity Music City. The smaller attractions weren't going to thrive on their own and were also purchased by Trinity. Originally, this building was the original headquarters of CMT, Country Music Television. CMT was launched on March 5, 1983, at 6:19 p.m. They remained here until they were purchased by Opryland / Gaylord who also owned their competitor TNN. Today, this building is the Trinity Music City Auditorium where Trinity Broadcasting tapes several shows.
Ferlin Husky's former museum, now WPGD - Hendersonville, TN In the early 1980's it looked like Hendersonville was going to become a prime country music tourist destination. Johnny Cash set up the House of Cash on a highway named after him. Conway Twitty built his mansion and tourist destination Twitty City. Across the street, several smaller venues opened up and collectively they became known as Music Village USA. After Twitty's death, his entire property went for sale and was purchased by the Trinity Broadcasting Network which opened Trinity Music City. The smaller attractions weren't going to thrive on their own and were also purchased by Trinity. This interesting building with Octagonal front room was originally built to be a museum for Ferlin Husky. Today, TBN uses this for their local broadcast television station WPGD, channel 50. Inside, there is a television studio for recording religious programming and occasional local interest shows.
Marty Robbins Recording Studio - Hendersonville, TN In the early 1980's it looked like Hendersonville was going to become a prime country music tourist destination. Johnny Cash set up the House of Cash on a highway named after him. Conway Twitty built his mansion and tourist destination Twitty City. Across the street, several smaller venues opened up and collectively they became known as Music Village USA. After Twitty's death, his entire property went for sale and was purchased by the Trinity Broadcasting Network which opened Trinity Music City. The smaller attractions weren't going to thrive on their own and were also purchased by Trinity. One of these operations was this building which was a recording studio and museum opened by Marty Robbins. Robbins dies in 1982 which is right around the time it would have opened. Once owned by Trinity Music City, they have kept it as a recording studio. This photo has been used without permission, violating the crative commons license here: backgroundchecks.org/25-safest-cities-in-tennessee-2016.html The Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016
Conway Twitty Plaque - Twitty City Country Music superstar Conway Twitty built his mansion in Hendersonville, TN and then built a tourist attraction on the grounds known as Twitty City. In front of the mansion was a garden where he allowed fans to visit. Twitty died in 1993 and the property was sold to the Trinity Broadcasting Network who reopened the area as Trinity Music City. They still welcome Twitty fans and offer free tours of the mansion and grounds. Soon after his death, the family placed this plaque on the grounds of his garden.
Twitty Bird made of bricks The Twitty Bird was the mascot of legendary country musician Conway Twitty. It is a cowboy hat wearing obvious knock-off of the Looney Tunes Tweety Bird. At Twitty City, viewable from the Gardens in front of the mansion is this Twitty Bird built into the bricks of the gift shop. Twitty City was purchased by Trinity Broadcasting Network and is now Trinity Music City. They have preserved several of these Conway Twitty items around the property.
Conway Twitty Mansion - Hendersonville, TN Country Music legend Conway Twitty had his mansion built in Hendersonville, TN in the early 1980s. At the time, he had a museum and gift shop also open on the property, an entertainment complex known as Twitty City. Fans were welcomed to walk around the gardens in front of his house. Twitty City remained open until his death in 1993. The property was purchased by the religious television station Trinity Broadcasting Network to create Trinity Music City. Trinity still allows visitors to walk around the gardens and offers free tours of the mansion. My guide said they get a good mix of Conway's fans and TBN fans. Most of Twitty's belongings were auctioned off, so only one of his items, a desk, remains inside the mansion. Many of the remaining interior rooms are used for TV show filming. Around Christmas, they string up an impressive display of holiday lights.
Owen Bradley Park - Music Row - Nashville Located in a small park at the Music Row Roundabout is this bronze piano-playing statue to prominent songwriter Owen Bradley. The statue to the architect of the Nashville Sound was dedicated on October 19, 1999 and was created by artist Gary Ernest Smith. The statue is in the middle of a circle made of bricks, with the titles of his famous songs around the edge. The sheet music in the statue highlights two songs, Sweet Dreams and Crazy. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Bradley
Johnny Cash Museum During Cash's lifetime, his museum was located at his business office in Hendersonville, TN and was known as "House of Cash." This modern museum is one of the top museums for country music fans in Nashville where it is located along 3rd Ave. in downtown. www.johnnycashmuseum.com/ Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/incredible-tennessee-ex... These 12 Incredible Places In Tennessee Will Bring Out The Explorer In You or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-adventures/ 7 Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventures You Can Only Have In Tennessee
The Johnny Cash Parkway sign A five mile stretch of Gallatin Road (Highway US31E) through Hendersonville, TN was dedicated as the Johnny Cash Parkway on Jan. 9, 1982. Cash lived in Hendersonville and his museum "House of Cash" was located on his Parkway. Now, Cash is buried at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens which is also along this Parkway
RCA Studio B with Historic Marker Hello to anyone who found this in the book: Amazing Tennessee!: Fall in Love with Tennessee through Interesting Fun Facts and Trivia for the Entire Family. amzn.to/3CiS2xU Perhaps the most famous site along Nashville's Music Row is RCA Studio B. According to the historic Marker: RCA Records established a recording studio in this building in November 1957, with local offices run by guitarist-producer Chet Atkins. Its success led to a larger studio, known as Studio A, built next door in 1964. Studio B recorded numerous hits by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbinson, Don Gibson, Charley Pride, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton, and many others. Along with Bradley Studios, Studio B is known for developing "The Nashville Sound." Today, the studio is opened as a tourist attraction: studiob.org/
Music City's Microphone Bike Rack Located along Nashville's Music Row, this public street art microphone doubles as a bicycle rack. “Microphone Rack” by Franne Lee, Keith Harmon and Mac Hill of Nashville, is located at the northeast corner of Demonbreun Street and Music Row. The rack, made of stainless steel in 2010, represents Nashville’s history as a communications, broadcasting and music center. My favorite detail is the audio jack that plugs into the ground.
Roy Orbison Guitar at RCA Studio B In 2004, Gibson Guitars started the Nashville GuitarTown project which placed decorated Guitar statues (such as this one) around town. Then in 2006, the guitars were auctioned off for charity. The Roy Orbison guitar was painted by artist Rob Hendon and originally was placed at the GEC plaza (now Bridgestone Arena). Now, it resides at the historic RCA Studio B along Music Row.
George Jones Memorial Legendary Country Music artist George Jones died in 2013. Later that year, his memorial was unveiled at his final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Melrose / Berry Hill area of Nashville. Atop the monument is an arch with his last name Jones atop the title of his most famous song "He Stopped Loving Her Today." Down the left side is Jones story where the right side is blank for his wife. In the middle is an acoustic guitar above his nickname "the Possum." At the foot of the monument covering his burial site is a large metal plaque with multiple etched likenesses of him.
Music Valley Wax Museum of the Stars neon sign a.k.a. the only Wax Museum I've ever been to, albeit it was 20+ years ago when it was still open. Music Valley is the touristy side of Nashville around Opryland Hotel.
Unknown Performer, Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree 2009 Every once in a while, I come across an old photo of mine that now looks interesting when I didn't think much of it back when I took it. Here's an example.
Texas Troubadour Theater - Nashville For several decades the popular Grand Ole Opry was broadcast from Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville on Saturday Evenings. Soon afterwards, WSM started a follow up show a block away at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. The Midnite Jamboree would feature up-and-coming country artists, and really start at Midnite. Then, the Grand ole Opry moved out to Opryland, and the tourist area that sprang up around it became Music Valley. Ernest Tubb Record Shop followed the Opry out here with shop #2 and their adjoining theater at Music Valley Village. (Tubb was nicknamed the Texas Troubadour.) For good measure, this country music venue doubles as the Nashville Cowboy Church on Sunday mornings.
Jackson, TN Rock-a-Billy Stage Since Jackson is home to the International Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame, this small park has a stage and the Rock-a-Billy Mural. The backdrop of the stage includes an oversized Sun Records 45 and the message "Happy Birthday Carl (Perkins)! Also there's a note: "Help support the construction of Jackson's Largest Outdoor dance floor."
The Rusty Metal Musician Family I'm always happy to see old things saved from the trash heap and converted to art. This was seen outside of the WC Handy Home and Museum in Florence, AL. In fact, it was the only thing I saw there as I didn't double check what hours they'd be open before I got there.
Rockabilly Highway Mural - Selmer, TN This 20 foot tall by 120 foot wide painting on the side of a business in the middle of Selmer's central business district was the creation of artist Brian Tull in the first half of 2009. A stretch of Highway US45 running from Interstate 40 in Jackson down to the Mississippi state line was given the designation Rockabilly Highway in the summer of 2008. The painting depicts a couple of musicians (based on Phil Hummer & The White Falcons) performing at the WSM microphone at the Grand Ole Opry. In the Summer of 2012, a second Mural was added a few buildings down, but I haven't been back to town yet to see it.
Rock City's Gnome Valley #1: Musician Gnome Valley is a newer feature at Rock City, seen early along the Enchanted Trail where the white fallow deer used to be. According to their sign, "Rock City Gnomes have long inhabited Lookout Mountain. A number of these rare creatures have recently been spotted migrating into this tiny valley." Rock City has long had a history with gnomes, dating back to when founder Frieda Carter imported many of the gnomes from Germany and had them placed around the grounds of the attraction, some of which are seen in Fairyland Cavern. However, The gnomes seen here populating Gnome Valley are new. In 2011, artist and Rock City Employee Matthew Dutton sculpted them so that they would be on display for the yearly Garden of Lights. Each whimsical creation is unique and hand-crafted with a durable resin so that they will be enjoyed for generations. For further reading, check the article on page 10 of this issue of Pulse Magazine: issuu.com/brewermediagroup/docs/pulse_8_24a On my website, I have created a gallery entitled "A Tour of Rock City" where I not only have tried to find all of the gnomes, but all the other wondrous scenes at the beloved tourist attraction. seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frock-city
Music City Youth Orchestra #4 To many people, Music City is just about country music, but our town has a rich and diverse musical heritage that continues to grow. The Music City Youth Orchestra is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a dynamic atmosphere for student musicians in Middle Tennessee to explore a diverse repertoire for string orchestra. This past weekend, I had an opportunity to visit them during a rehersal and take pictures of each musician. To learn more about this fantastic organization, see their website: www.musiccityyo.org/
Loretta Lynn's Mansion These days, the town of Hurricane Mills is synonymous with the Coal Miner's Daughter, however the town dates back to the early 1800s as the site of an iron furnace and a flour mill. On July 22, 1863, a civil war battle took place on this land resulting in 19 soldiers losing their lives. Then in 1876, local plantation owner James T. Anderson decided to build this mansion. (The columns were added to the front in the 1930's) The Classical Revival mansion and grounds, and the city at large had enough history there that the area was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Hurricane Mills Rural Historic District. In 1996, Loretta and Mooney Lynn fell in love with the mansion and the small town and bought the whole area, making this mansion their personal residence. After living in mansion for about two decades, they had another home built behind the mansion and opened the area up as a tourist attraction. Even part of the movie Coal Miner's Daughter was filmed here. Today, paying customers can take a tour of the inside of the home, or cheapskates like me can stand on the curb and look at it from here. While the rags-to-riches story make Hurricane Mills and the Mansion a top ten visited tourist attraction in Tennessee, there's something else that gets people talking. People say it's haunted. Loretta Lynn and all of her children have seen multiple ghosts. There's the stories of the ghost of James T. Anderson, the ghost of a lady who died while giving birth and ghosts of Civil War soldiers. For the whole haunting story, look here: www.ghosteyes.com/haunted-hurricane-mills-plantation Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/movie-views-tn/ These 15 Breathtaking Views In Tennessee Could Be Straight Out Of The Movies
Roy Acuff & Minnie Pearl share a Ryman Auditorium Bench This statue named "Oh, Roy" is inside the lobby of Ryman Auditorium, downtown Nashville. Sculpted by Russ Faxon.
World's Largest Guitar - Interstate View This has been several things over the years, but is currently vacant. Most recently, it was Joe Merrell's Grand Guitar Museum and Gift Shop. This spot is strategically placed where you can see it from the Interstate, I-81 from a rest area, near the TN/VA border in Bristol. The street running along the other side is US11W. The Guitar is 70 feet long and three stories high. More info: www.talentondisplay.com/grandguitar.html
Birthplace of Country Music Mural - Bristol, TN In 1927, Ralph Peer of Victor traveled to Bristol to record some of the local mountain music on the advice of Ernest "Pop" Stoneman. During these sessions 76 songs from 19 artists were recorded, including The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and the Stoneman Family. In 1998, the U.S. Congress recognized Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music, Soon a birthplace of Country Music Museum will open in Bristol. This mural was painted in 1987 by local artist and musician Tim White. from left to right is Ralph Peer, the Carter Family, the Stoneman Family and Jimmie Rodgers who is giving his double thumbs up pose. The mural serves as a backdrop for a stage making for a popular music venue in town.
Birthplace of Country Music Mural - Bristol, TN In 1927, Ralph Peer of Victor traveled to Bristol to record some of the local mountain music on the advice of Ernest "Pop" Stoneman. During these sessions 76 songs from 19 artists were recorded, including The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and the Stoneman Family. In 1998, the U.S. Congress recognized Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music, Soon a birthplace of Country Music Mueseum will open in Bristol. This mural was painted in 1987 by local artist and musician Tim White. from left to right is Ralph Peer, the Carter Family, the Stoneman Family and Jimmie Rodgers who is giving his double thumbs up pose. The mural serves as a backdrop for a stage making for a popular music venue in town. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: mirandalambert17.blogspot.com/2012/12/country-music-is-mu... or here: www.movoto.com/tn/moving-to-tennessee/ 23 Things You Need To Know About Tennessee Before You Move There or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-first/ Some People Don’t Know That Tennessee Was The First To Do These 10 Things 3) Birthplace of Country Music or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/not-the-same-without-tn/ 10 Undeniable Reasons Why The World Wouldn’t Be The Same Without Tennessee
Patsy Cline Plane Crash Site This image is available as a post card On March 5, 1963, the plane carrying Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes on their way back to Nashville ran into bad weather, crashing into a secluded area. There were no survivors. Decades later, if you now travel US641 through Camden, TN, a large green sign has been put up pointing the way. To get there, you have to follow Mt. Carmel Rd. West out of Camden, as you pass a residential neighborhood, an industrial area, and then finally make it into the rural woods. After a couple of miles down this drive, another sign points the way; it's a turn down a short gravel drive. From there, it's pretty simple - a small wooden entrance marks the start of a gravel trail down to the bottom of the small ravine. About half of the way there is a small booth with photocopies of the newspaper stories recounting the tragic event. As the gravel path goes a bit further, there are two more things to see at the end of the walk. I don't know how long this area has been open to the public, but there's a large stone etched simply with the date, the names, the event and a few music notes, as if to remind us that this was another day the music died. This stone was placed in June of 1996. While the gravel stops at the stone, something else is hiding behind the trees. While you can see it in my picture, it might be different on the day you choose to go. A group of rocks have been formed into a pile to serve as a cairn for Mrs. Cline. Different mementos have been left by the adoring fans as the complete their journey, and when you go, there's likely to be different items that what can be seen on this day. Hanging from a cross (which I didn't see in older pictures) are some prayer beads, a bandanna and a belt and all of it's covered in flowers. This photo now appears in print as part of the TN Trails and Byways brochure "Screaming Eagle Trail" which you can see here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/9522319352/ Hello to anyone who found the photo here: www.atlasobscura.com/places/patsy-cline-crash-site-memorial or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/weird-places-in-tn/ These 15 Weird Places In Tennessee Are As Strange As It Gets reposted here: murfreesboro.com/news/local-news/weird-places-in-tn/6/ or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/weirdest-tennessee/ Here Are The 12 Weirdest Places You Can Possibly Go In Tennessee or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-off-the-beaten-path/ 11 Places In Tennessee That Are Off The Beaten Path But Worth The Trip
Patsy Cline Plane Crash Site Cairn On March 5, 1963, the plane carrying Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes on their way back to Nashville ran into bad weather, crashing into a secluded area. There were no survivors. Decades later, if you now travel US641 through Camden, TN, a large green sign has been put up pointing the way. To get there, you have to follow Mt. Carmel Rd. West out of Camden, as you pass a residential neighborhood, an industrial area, and then finally make it into the rural woods. After a couple of miles down this drive, another sign points the way; it's a turn down a short gravel drive. From there, it's pretty simple - a small wooden entrance marks the start of a gravel trail down to the bottom of the small ravine. About half of the way there is a small booth with photocopies of the newspaper stories recounting the tragic event. As the gravel path goes a bit further, there are two more things to see at the end of the walk. I don't know how long this area has been open to the public, but there's a large stone etched simply with the date, the names, the event and a few music notes, as if to remind us that this was another day the music died. This stone was placed in June of 1996. While the gravel stops at the stone, something else is hiding behind the trees. While you can see it in my picture, it might be different on the day you chhose to go. A group of rocks have been formed into a pile to serve as a cairn for Mrs. Cline. Different momentos have been left by the adoring fans as the complete their journey, and when you go, there's likely to be different items that what can be seen on this day. Haning from a cross (which I didn't see in older pictures) are some prayer beads, a bandana and a belt and all of it's covered in flowers.
Patsy Cline Plane Crash Site Inscription On March 5, 1963, the plane carrying Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes on their way back to Nashville ran into bad weather, crashing into a secluded area. There were no survivors. Decades later, if you now travel US641 through Camden, TN, a large green sign has been put up pointing the way. To get there, you have to follow Mt. Carmel Rd. West out of Camden, as you pass a residential neighborhood, an industrial area, and then finally make it into the rural woods. After a couple of miles down this drive, another sign points the way; it's a turn down a short gravel drive. From there, it's pretty simple - a small wooden entrance marks the start of a gravel trail down to the bottom of the small ravine. About half of the way there is a small booth with photocopies of the newspaper stories recounting the tragic event. As the gravel path goes a bit further, there are two more things to see at the end of the walk. I don't know how long this area has been open to the public, but there's a large stone etched simply with the date, the names, the event and a few music notes, as if to remind us that this was another day the music died. This stone was placed in June of 1996. While the gravel stops at the stone, something else is hiding behind the trees. While you can see it in my picture, it might be different on the day you chhose to go. A group of rocks have been formed into a pile to serve as a cairn for Mrs. Cline. Different momentos have been left by the adoring fans as the complete their journey, and when you go, there's likely to be different items that what can be seen on this day. Haning from a cross (which I didn't see in older pictures) are some prayer beads, a bandana and a belt and all of it's covered in flowers.
Oversized Guitar - Bristol Located at the Bristol Chamber of Commerce on the TN side of State Street is this large over-sized guitar. (I forgot exactly how big, so I'll say 8 feet.) It should not be confused with the World's Largest Guitar, also in Bristol.
Uncle Dave Macon Monument - McMinnville, TN This brick monument to "Uncle Dave" Macon is on the Warren County Courthouse lawn in McMinnville, TN. It reads: Uncle Dave Macon 1870-1952 This great country music star was born 300 yards east of Hickory Creek on the Lawson Mill Road, 6.6 miles SW of here. David Harrison Macon was the son of John and Martha Ann Ramsey Macon. His Grandfather, Harrison H. Macon, settled in Warren County ca. 1820, and descends from a prominent North Carolina family. This monument is constructed of brick from the John Macon home, built 1855, where Dave was born. One of the home's entrance steps serves as a base of this marker. Moving to Nashville in 1884, Dave Macon eventually settled in the Kittrell Community of Rutherford County.
Country Music Mural - West Jefferson, NC
Smoky Mountain Music History This lovely mural is painted on the side of Roy's Record Shop, a brick building facing a parking lot in the center of Maryville, TN Artist: Henrietta Foy Muralists: Walt Fieldsa & Katie Gamble If I knew my country music a little better, I could identify more of the people depicted here. I think we have: Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn in the bottom corner near the WSM Grand Ole Opry stage. Sixteen Tons mine in the opposite corner. Minnie Pearl dancing with someone. Lester Flatt. Earl Scruggs. The Carter family. A moonshine still and some Indians. Knoxville's WDVX. Harmonica. Banjoes.
World's Largest Guitar - US11W view UPDATE: This is now gone. This has been several things over the years, but is currently vacant. Most recently, it was Joe Merrell's Grand Guitar Museum and Gift Shop. This spot is strategically placed where you can see it from the Interstate, I-81, near the TN/VA border in Bristol. The street in front is US11W. The Guitar is 70 feet long and three stories high More info: www.talentondisplay.com/grandguitar.html Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/incredible-tennessee/ 11 Incredible, Almost Unbelievable Facts About Tennessee or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tennessee-wants-you-to-... 12 Things Every Tennessean Wants The Rest Of The Country To Know Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/cheap-road-trips-tn/ 10 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Tennessee That Won’t Break The Bank or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/longtime-vs-newcomers-tn/ 10 Things Longtime Tennesseans Wish They Could Tell Newcomers
The WSM Radio Tower This is the famous WSM 650 AM 50,000 Watt radio transmitter just off Interstate 65 and Concord Road south of Nashville in Brentwood, TN. When it was constructed in 1932, it was the tallest radio tower in America. In fact, at the time, you could purchase a post card that stated its height at 878 feet and then pointed out it was 323 feet taller than the Washington Monument. This tower turned WSM into the radio blowtorch which helped much of America be able to hear the Grand Ole Opry and cement Nashville's place as the home of Country Music. WSM remains the only "clear channel" in the U.S. to still play music. From a technical perspective, this is a dual cantilevered center guyed tower, a.k.a a diamond antenna. It was made by Blaw-Knox company of Pittsburgh who went on to make similar towers until going out of business in the 50s. This tower still is the tallest Blaw-Knox tower in the U.S. but today it is only 808 ft. tall.
Burger Bar - Bristol, VA According to legend, this could have been the last place Hank Williams stopped to eat before he died - as in his driver apparently asked if he wanted a bite to eat while passing by here and Williams said no. With this in mind, my wife and I decided to eat at the popular local greasy spoon while on our vacation. When we walked in, we found they had three tables and about 6 barstools, all taken the teeny tiny burger joint was packed so we went elsewhere,
"Pop" Stoneman marker - Bristol, VA seen along Main St.
The steps to Loretta Lynn's Yard & Mansion Hurricane Mills, TN is essentially all Loretta Lynn's personal tourist attraction now. For a modest fee, one can take the tour of the mansion, of, like me, for free, one can take a picture from the curb.
Replica Loretta Lynn Homestead as part of the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN is this Log Cabin. This was recreated to look like the home in Butcher Holler, KY to portray the rags-to-riches legacy of her childhood as the "Coal Miner's Daughter"
09 TN State Fair #97: Bluegrass As a part of the Festival of Nations celebration during the Tennessee State Fair representing American culture was the Billy Smith Bluegrass Trio.
09 TN State Fair #96: Bluegrass As a part of the Festival of Nations celebration during the Tennessee State Fair representing American culture was the Billy Smith Bluegrass Trio.
Boyhood Home of Archie Campbell Archie Campbell was a country musician and a star of the Grand Ole Opry and the long running Nashville TV Show "Hee Haw." He was born in 1914 in Bulls Gap, TN (A small town with an important railroad history in the corner of Hawkins Co., TN). Next door to this homestead is the Bulls Gap city hall and the Archie Campbell Museum. Highway US11 in the area was renamed Archie Campbell Highway. Every Labor Day Weekend, Bulls Gap has an Archie Cambell celebration
Birthplace of Country Music monument This monument recognizes the first ever Country Music recording to ever be made in August 1927. At the top of the monument is The famous Victor logo of Nipper the dog looks into a Victrola as he hears "His Master's Voice" written on the monument: Erected August 16, 1971 Honoring A.P. Carter Sara Carter Maybelle Carter Jimmie Rodgers Who recorded the First Country and Western music to be distributed Nationwide in Bristol, Tennessee on August 2, 1927
Blake Shelton plaque Located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN is a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby.
Sarah Cannon (Minnie Pearl) plaque Located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN is a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby.
Del Reeves plaque Located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN is a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby.
Grinders Switch Garden Located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN is a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby. Established 10-30-2004 (but on this day, the grass was a little tall.)
Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree In the 12 and Under Banjo contest, this random contestant (on the left) was quite good. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-fishing-town/ The Quiet Fishing Town In Tennessee That Seems Frozen In Time
Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree On the other side of the town square, groups like this jam for the fun of it.
Large Crowd @ Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree Held every July in the Smithville Town Square, with the Dekalb County Courthouse as a backdrop. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/underrated-tn-places-ma... 10 Underrated Places In Tennessee To Take An Out-Of-Towner or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-fishing-town/ The Quiet Fishing Town In Tennessee That Seems Frozen In Time
Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree main stage With the Emcee killing time.
Random young fiddler contestant
random Senior Guitarist
A man and his bass
Sign to Loretta Lynn's Kitchen If you've driven along I-40 through western middle Tennessee, then you've seen the signs for Loretta Lynn's mansion, museum, dude ranch, cafe, campground, gift shop and flea market. If you're time is limited and can't make the 8 mile drive to Hurricane Mills, then you can catch 1/10th of the experience at the Loretta Lynn Kitchen, which is right off the Interstate and up the hill. You can't miss it. I bought a post card of her husband riding a jeep. This photo now appears in print as part of the TN Trails and Byways brochure "Screaming Eagle Trail" which you can see here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/9522319352/
Inside Loretta Lynn's kitchen The smaller dining room has a small bit of Loretta Lynn memorabilia, including a life-size mannequin. It's a fraction of the Loretta Lynn experience for none of the cost (unless you eat at the buffet.)
Robert's Western World sign Downtown Nashville on Broadway Home of: Sho-Bud, HonkyTonk Heaven, Hillbilly Grill Brazil Billy Hello to anyone who found this here: www.michaelheise.com/blog/archives/3713
Nashville Crossroads sgin Downtown on Broadway
Bluegrass Inn sign Hillbilly & Country Music Broadway, Nashville, TN
100 Things to see at the fair #27: Leather Guitar I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. One of the contests in the Creative Arts building is Leathercraft. The Blue Ribbon winner was a guitar made out of leather. If you look closely, there are 4 midstate logos on the guitar. The first you'll notice is the Tennessee Flag. To its left is a Columbia Mule Day logo. Below that is a Tennessee Walking Horse. To the right of that one is the Grand Ole Opry. Hello to anyone who found thise here: www.environmentalgraffiti.com/offbeat-news/works-of-leath... 5 Incredible Works of Leather Art
Singer I forgot who this is.
Aspirations This country guitar duo would play for anyone who would listen. During the 4th of july festivities on the Shelby Street Bridge in Downtown Nashville.
638 Tire Company "Original Home of WSIX Radio" The station wasn't broadcast from here, but this company was the original owner of the "Nashville Sound" country music radio station, the station was an advertising vehicle for the tire company like a lot of early radio stations.
The Bluebird Cafe storefront This unassuming little storefront is for the Bluebird Cafe, which is not known as much for being a cafe but is well known for being an intimate concert venue for better aspiring songwriters. It's a place that you'd almost miss if you weren't looking there. I've never been inside, as there is always quite a line to get in. It's located in the Green Hills area of Nashville on Hillsboro Rd. (U.S. 431) It was also heavily featured in the movie That Thing Called Love along with the Drake Motel. BluebirdCafe.com Hello to anyone who found this photo here: webbspunideas.blogspot.com/2009/01/bluebird-cafe-calendar... or here: www.searchnashvillelistings.com/Default.aspx?zoom=11 or here: pegpaints.blogspot.com/2013/02/n-is-for-nashville.html N is for Nashville
Drake Motel - Stay Where the Stars Stay Quite possibly the neatest Motel sign in Nashville. (What took me so long to go over there to photograph it?) It's not in the best neighborhood anymore, on Murfreesboro Rd. Before the days of Interstates, this was in a heavily travelled area by tourists, U.S. 41 and U.S. 70S. It's doubtful that the stars stay here anymore, at least not since River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock in the 1993 unsuccessful movie "The Thing Called Love." Back in the day, it was the place for country music stars to stay (at least that's what my Mom told me the first time she drove me past it 20 years ago.) They even have a website: www.nashvilledirectory.com/drakeinn/
Country Western Bar and Grill Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here? Claire: Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western. Just turn left at the trailer park...
One of Nashville's art guitars Bring back the catfish! or maybe not. This one is on lower broad. is it bad that as a lifelong Nashvillian, I can't identify everyone here? Hello, to anyone who found this photo here: www.ifindcds.com/music-buy-B000028U0Y.html
Ernest Tubb Record Shop One of Many Nashville Country Music institutions
Dolly Parton Statue, Seveir County TN courthouse In Honor of Dolly Parton's years of service encouraging millions of vacationers to come to Sevier County tourist destinations of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to spend all of their money, They erected this statue in her honor in front of the courthouse. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: hyperallergic.com/615061/a-dolly-parton-statue-might-be-c...
Minnie Pearl Statue, Centerville, TN This statue honoring Country Music and Grand Old Opry legend Minnie Pearl is in the Town Square of Centerville, TN with the Hickman County Courthouse in the background. The statue was unveiled in 2005. It's listed with Roadside America and on this Opry press release. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: kentuckycountrymusic.com/2017/01/the-mystery-of-the-minni... The mystery of the Minnie Pearl Bronze Statue or here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/458537539/statue-of-grand-ol... Update: This statue has been moved to the Commodore Hotel in Linden, TN. A new statue was placed on the grounds of the courthouse in 2021.
Ernest Tubb Record Shop This is the original sign which used to be at the store on Broadway. It is now on the Temporary Exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum on the roots of country music. Thanks to everybody. This picture has made Flickr Explore and peaked at #182. Hello to anyone who found this here: bloggingstartup.com/2008/10-quick-tips-for-naming-your-blog/ 10 Quick Tips for Naming Your Blog This is my 23rd photo to get 1000 views. Woot! Hello to anyone who found this here: dayneshuda.com/2008/12/23/what-do-hunting-country-music-a... or here: www.jasonshadrick.com/guitar/best-albums-of-2010/
Guitar scoreboard for the Nashville Sounds This is the guiter shaped scoreboard in the outfield of Greer Stadium for the Nashville Sounds. This picture was taken during the playoffs before they won the PCL championship Hello to anyone who found this picture Here: tomcampion.blogspot.com/2006/01/guitar-scoreboard-for-nas... or here: desafinados.es/la-guitarra-marcador-de-nashville/ or here: cardjunk-automatic.blogspot.com/2008/06/harry-spilman.html or here: www.homesnacks.net/41-photos-of-tennessee-that-will-make-... 41 Photos of Tennessee That Will Make You Want to Move There
![This statue of Dolly Parton was placed in front of the Sevier County Courthouse on May 3, 1987. According to the plaque, the Sculptor is Jim Gray and it was made possible through the generosity of the people of Sevier County.
Recently on a TV interview, Dolly shared this story:
After my dad died, one of my brothers told me that daddy used to put a big bucket, a big oil drum, of soapy water and a broom in the back of his truck and late at night he’d go down to the statue and scrub all the pigeon poop off [the statue],” Parton admitted. “It touched me. I cried my eyes out! My daddy’s gone but the pigeons are still there – I’m not sure who is doing that now.”](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51195968037_beda3e6dc1_b.jpg "Dolly Parton Statue - Sevierville, TN")
