Jamey Johnson reflects on his relationship with God, family, and fans

Jamey Johnson performing one of his many hit songs. Photo by Jessica Bray of Kentucky Country Music.

When it comes to curating a sound of traditional country music, Jamey Johnson has made a name for himself in the music community.  It has been over 17 years that he landed in Nashville after living his life running the music circuit throughout Alabama and Georgia.  The journey has taken him on major stages, but also smaller intimate settings that are perfect for the listener to take in all that is being sung through the soul of Jamey Johnson.

This past weekend, Jamey Johnson performed for a double night stay at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center.  Having performed at the venue for many years now, it and the fans have formed a special bond thanks to the power of music.

Prior to his show, I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Jamey Johnson over his journey, as well as personal encounters, stories behind songs, and more.  Below is that conversation and I hope that you enjoy reading it.  Be sure to check out Jamey Johnson’s website for future concert dates and music at www.jameyjohnson.com.

Kentucky native and distinguished member of Music Row, Norro Wilson, passes away

Legendary songwriter, producer, and singer, Norro Wilson, passed away Thursday at the age of 79.
Photo by Jessica Bray, Kentucky Country Music.

Kentucky native, Norro Wilson, made a major impact on Music Row and in the Nashville community.  Sadly, he passed away at the age of 79 years old on Thursday, June 8, 2017.  His accomplishments and versatile abilities led him to be a distinguished member of the music community.

Coming from Scottsville, Kentucky, Norris "Norro" Wilson, would attend Wester Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University).  He earned a vocal scholarship and later moved just outside of Nashville when he joined the Southlanders gospel quartet.  In the late 1950s, he sang harmony for Ferlin Husky and Faron Young From songwriting to song plugging, he always had a pulse on the sound created in Music City.

Some of the songwriting co-writes of Norro Wilson include hit songs for George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Rich, Lorrie Morgan, and many more.  Some of those hits include the following:

Delta Dawn

Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)

A Very Special Love Song

The Grand Tour

The Most Beautiful Girl

A Picture of Me (Without You)

The Door

The Battle

He Loves Me All the Way

Another Lonely Song

For a few years near 1970, Norro Wilson pursued a solo recording artist career.  He was chosen for the Country Radio Seminar’s inaugural “New Faces of Country Music.” In 1970, his recording of "Do It to Someone You Love" peaked at No. 20.  It was written by fellow Kentuckian, Tom T. Hall.  Wilson won a best country song Grammy for "A Very Special Love Song," and in three consecutive years he won BMI's Country Songwriter of the Year award.

Norro Wilson co-produced many albums along the way with Buddy Cannon, paving the path for relatively newcomers into the universe of stardom and fame.  Among those include Shania Twain's debut album, Keith Whitley, John Anderson, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Chely Wright, Charley Pride, Sammy Kershaw, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Sara Evans, Reba McEntire, and many more.

In 1984, while working at RCA Records, he signed fellow Kentucky native, Keith Whitley, and produced his ep "A Hard Act to Follow."

In 1996, Norro Wilson was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Wilson has won 39 awards from BMI, including five One Million Performance awards.  He also became a member of Western Kentucky University's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.  In 2008, he was inducted into the prestigious Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.  Inside their museum, there is a large exhibit featuring the works of Norro Wilson inside.

Who has recorded in RCA Studio A in Nashville?

From RCA Studio A - Ben Fold's Website

Ben Folds has sent out a letter to various Nashville publications with a passionate plea to save the historic RCA Studio A.  He has been a tenant of the building that Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley built with a vision.  Word has gotten out that a potential developer has purchased the building.  Thus, the plea to try to preserve real American musical history.  Nashville itself has boomed in the recent years.  Downtown is towering with skyscrapers, condos, new convention center, and much more.  Nestled down the road is Music Row with its quaint buildings that stir into that world of music.  From recording studios, to record labels, to publishing companies, to publicists, there is a lot of things that happen down on Music Row.

Even more astounding is who all has recorded at RCA Studio A.  

Peter Bradley Adams, Gary Allan, Brent Anderson, Anika, Arlis Albritton, Asleep at the Wheel, The Beach Boys, Ben Folds Five, Tony Bennett, Amy Black, Jason Blaine, Blind Boys of Alabama, Joe Bonamassa, Wade Bowen, Eden Brent, Jim Brickman, The Brothers Osborne, Rachel Bradshaw, Brentwood Benson, David Bullock, Laura Bell Bundy, Ken Burns, The Canadian Tenors, The City Harmonic, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chocolate Horse, Brandy Clark, Brent Cobb, Jesse Colter, Elizabeth Cook, Wayne Coyne, Margaret Cho, Billy Currington, Matt Dame, Danae, Ilse DeLange, Rebecca de la Torre, Steve Earle, ESPN, Jace Everett, The Fabulous Headliners, Dani Flowers, Danny Flowers, Colt Ford, The Frog Sessions, Eleanor Fye, Cami Gallardo, Billy Gibbons, Sarah Gibson, Vince Gill, Alyssa Graham, Peter Groenwald, Harlan Pepper, Harper Blynn, Connie Harrington, Hunter Hayes, John Hiatt, Faith Hill, JT Hodges, Adam Hood, James House, Sierra Hull, Alan Jackson, Joe Jackson, Casey James, Jenny Jarnigan, Jewel, Jamey Johnson, Josh Jones, Kristin Kelly, Kesha, Anna Krantz, Ben Kweller, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sonny Landreth, Samatha Landrum, Mark Lanigan, Stoney LaRue, Jim Lauderdale, Frank Liddell, LIfeway, Meagan Lindsey, Longmont All Stars Jazz Band, Lyle Lovette, Luella and the Sun, Tayla Lynn, Amanda Palmer, John Pardi, Rich Parkinson, Alan Parson, Charlie Pate, Kellie Pickler, Pistol Annies, Pretty Lights, Mike Posner, Sean McConnell, Scotty McCreery, Kate Miller Heidke, Ronnie Milsap, Miss Willie Brown, Danny Mitchell, Allison Moorer, Kacey Musgraves, Musiq Soulchild, David Nail, the Nashville Symphony, Jerrod Neimann, Willie Nelson, Joe Nichols, Sierra Noble, Natalie Noone, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jake Owen, Rainfall, Johnny Reid, Thomas Rhett, Lionel Richie, The Robertson Family, Henry Rollins, Shannon Sanders, Jader Santos, Alejando Sanz, Mondo Saez, Kate Schrock, Bob Seger, Sera B., Brian Setzer, Nikki Shannon, William Shatner, SHEDaisy, Jordyn Shellart, Joel Shewmake, Sleeping With Sirens, Jake Shimabukuro, Mike Shipp, Kevin Shirley, Anthony Smith, Joanna Smith, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Chelsea Staling, Steel Magnolia, Tate Stevens, Jay Stocker, Rayburn, RED, RockIt City, Jeff Taylor, Justin Towns Earle, Josh Thompson, Those Darlins, Josh Turner, Bonnie Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Ben Utecht, Phil Vassar, Venus and the Moon, Andy Victor, Amanda Watkins, Chuck Wicks, Hank Williams Jr., Williamson Country Youth Orchesta, Alicia Witt, Lee Ann Womack, Word Entertainment, and Charlie Worsham. 

I love this quote by Ben Folds - "We are Music City - the only city in the world truly built on music."

Come on Nashville, let's help save this historic landmark.  This is where dreams have been dreamed, songs have been created, and lives have been changed.

How to Make a Hit Country Song

Welcome to Nashville

"I used to think that lyrics were the number-one driving force in a good song, but I find that over my years writing these songs, that it's not." - Dallas Davidson.

After reading this article in Rolling Stone with quotes from "Nashville's top songwriters," I think I still shake my head at what some consider a good song.  I honestly cannot remember Billboard, Music Row, Country Aircheck, or any of those chart positions of a song.  Do you remember any of the number one songs were during the month of June in 2012? Me neither.

What I do remember are the songs, the lyrics, the meaning and more of particular songs.  We all have that song that takes us back to a happier time, a sad time, the best time of our life, the love of our life, the loss of a loved one, relationships, and more.

There is a problem with the formula of the "14 Simple Rules for Writing a Country Hit" article that Rolling Stone has out on display.  They should mention that those simple rules are annoyances among traditionalists of music.

#1: Nothing is more important than melody. (Just covered that above)

#2: Work in Groups.  Really?  Why does it take 456,987 people to write the horrible lyric "Baby you a song, you make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise."  English teachers cringe at this lyric.  What happened to someone sitting down by themselves to write an honest song of their own adventures?  Granted, sometimes a song like "Give It Away" was written by Jamey Johnson, Bill Anderson, and Buddy Cannon comes out great.  And then you have horrible songs that it looks like the room of writers put together words on magnetic sheets and slapped them against a fridge.  Sometimes less is more.

#3: Think Summer Not Bummer.  How many more beach songs, summer time songs , down by the lake songs, cruisin' in my pickup truck chasing moonlight songs, chick wearing short daisy duke songs that fit just right songs do we need to set on repeat?  Kenny Chesney wore fans out with the beach songs and they became disposable predictable songs for him.  Then he threw in "You and Tequila" and we saw another side of Kenny Chesney.  I'm sorry, not everyone is a party animal, beach bum, tailgate Saturday night party goer.  

#4: Country Tends to Follow Pop Trends — Just a Few Years Behind.  Thanks for warning us that country granny will be twerking soon.

#5. Practice Your –Ella, -Ella, -Ella. Turn that station off, off, off. Anything that repeats itself is fun the first time. Then it is annoying the rest of the time. It's not catchy, it's cringing.

#6. Don't Mince Words. Ok, I'll agree with this one.

#7. Unpack Your Adjectives. Only if it goes well together unlike the beautiful bird of paradise that will fly up your big ole huge nostrils in your nose.

#8. Listen to Music Besides Country.  I do listen to quite a bit beyond country. However, to me mixing rap with country is like oil and water. Keep them separate.

#9. Pay Attention to Words Happening Around You.  Apparently they didn't listen in English class after trying to comprehend some of the lyrics in songs these days.

#10. Write What You Know. Apparently chicks only are only blonde hair, wearing tight painted on jeans that fit just right, we all drive trucks, there is some body of water down to find your true love, and we all love Fireball Whiskey and moonshine. 

#11. Quiet Verse, Explosive Chorus Still Rules the Roost. It's all rock and roll man, don't ya know?! It's all fun and games until someone attempts to sing that explosive chorus in a talent contest or karaoke contest and it turns into explosive diarrhea of the mouth.

#12. Don't Be Afraid of Hip-Hop.  I keep wondering if someone has ever asked Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Ice-T, and other rappers their thoughts on country music.

#13. Break All the Rules!  Go on with your bad self and be an outlaw.  Don't forget the Bleeding Cowboy Font for your band name logo and all merchandise.

So there you have it.  Pack your bags, run to Nashville, gather a few friends, sip on some moonshine, drive a truck, listen to rap, and you might be able to write a hit song for country music.

Alan Jackson 25th Anniversary Plans

This morning Alan Jackson announced that he is doing a major tour in 2015 for his 25th anniversary in country music.  The Country Music Hall of Fame will have a special Alan Jackson exhibit to open August 29th. They will also host the artist in residence program at the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 8 and October 22 at the Hall of Fame.

During the broadcast on his website, you could send out tweets and they would post them on the website, as well as there at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Needless to say, I took advantage of it. You can see my tweetbombs on the screen behind Mike Duncan and the other guy. ;)

I have lost count how many times I've seen him in concert. From the KY State Fair to the Corbin Arena to Rupp Arena to a little all over.  I remember during "Where I Come From" they showed clips of around town and they had a clip of my ole truck with John Deere stickers all on the back rolling through Lexington. 

Out of all of the songs he's done, I have to say the tune that Erin Enderlin penned, "Monday Morning Church" is one of my favorites.  This is what country music is about.

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Ripping Off the Hag

You hear it all the time, bands suing others that rip off guitar licks, song lyrics, etc.  But seriously, why would someone attempt to take a guitar lick from Merle Haggard & another from Billy Squier and then destroy it?  I present to you, Locash Cowboys song "Hillbillies with Guitars" on the Mud Digger 5 album, along with and Merle Haggard's Mama Tried and Billy Squire's Don't Say You Love Me.  See if you hear what I'm hearing.

Locash Cowboys - Hillbillies with Guitars Spotify Link & Amazon Link to listen (no video available)

Merle Haggard singing "Mama Tried"

Billy Squier singing "Don't Say You Love Me"

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Nashville News Roundup - Week Ending 4/11/2014

Loretta Lynn - Fist City

This past week has been a whirlwind and now we are winding down.  Here are a few headlines making their noise down on Music Row in Nashville.  Remember, you can hear little ole me on WFKY and WKFC on Friday mornings in the 9am hour with the Nashville News Roundup.

I've added to my vinyl collection with quite a few selections lately.  I think I want to recreate this cover with Loretta Lynn for Fist City album. 

Oh Dolly

Dolly Parton is set to appear on QVC for a one hour performance on Sunday, April 27th at 7PM.  She will be promoting her album, Blue Smoke, which will be out in stores in May.  The album features a collection of bluegrass and country music songs and is her first release since 2011.

He Doesn't Dance

As you recall earlier on a Nashville News Roundup, we recommended Lee Brice's "I Don't Dance."  Brice recently revealed that the song was written as a wedding gift to his wife Sara for their first dance.  The Knot website just picked the song for the wedding song of Rebekah Gregory and Pete Dimartino.  Rebekah and Pete are survivors of the Boston bombing of last year.

Concert Notes

Eric Church is bringing along Kentucky native Dwight Yoakam on a fall tour.  They will be stopping at the KFC Yum Center with Brothers Osborne and then with Halestorm at Rupp Arena.  Stay tune on when tickets will go on sale.

Handpicked Download of the Week: This week, I highly recommend fans of Justin Moore and Blake Shelton to take a listen to east Tennessee native Jesse Watson and his song "Crazy."  It is a heartache love song that has one of my favorite lines I've heard in a while: "The reason she can't stay, she don't know how. She ain't the kind to settle down.  She's not known for hanging around for too long."  With all the travels that I do, I'm always on the road.  I settled down before and it ended in divorce.  It will take someone amazing to make me settle down again.

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1980, Cousin Emmy dies in Sherman Oaks, California. Born Cynthia May Carver in Lamb, Kentucky, she taught Grandpa Jones to play the banjo, and became a significant singer and bawdy comedian in concert and on radio from the 1920s to the 1950s

2014 ACM Award Winners

Here is a list of the ACM Award Winners in order of given out:

ACM Vocal Event of the Year
We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashville

ACM Vocal Duo of the Year - Florida Georgia Line

ACM New Artist of the Year - Justin Moore

ACM Single Record of the Year
Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

ACM Song of the Year
I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI)

ACM Male Vocalist of the Year - Jason Aldean
ACM Vocal Group of the Year - The Band Perry

ACM Album of the Year
Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Mugraves
Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: Mercury Records

ACM Video of the Year
"Highway Don’t Care" by Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban.
Produced by Tameron Hedge and Chandra LaPlume and directed by Shane Drake

ACM Crystal Milestone Award - Merle Haggard
ACM Entertainer of the Year - George Strait

Nashville News Roundup - Week Ending 3/21/2014

Gotta Love Merle Haggard!

Merle Haggard Tribute

Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard will be the focus of two tributes next month — one an album of the singer's hits recorded by current country stars, the other from the Academy of Country Music. Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Toby Keith are among the artists lending their voices to Working Man's Poet: A Tribute to Merle Haggard, out April 1 on Broken Bow Records. During the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 6 — Haggard's 77th birthday — he'll be the recipient of a multi-artist tribute segment and receive the ACM's Crystal Milestone award, honoring his 50th anniversary in country music.

Garth to Nash

Trisha Yearwood revealed this week that she and Garth Brooks are packing their belongings and heading to Hillbilly USA...that would be Nashville. With Garth's youngest daughter heading off to college, that leaves them in an empty home.  Having plans for an upcoming tour and other things, Garth and Trisha have decided to move back to Nashville. Click here for full details.

Tammy Wynette Going Postal

This week, it was revealed that Tammy Wynette is one of several music icons that will be honored with an upcoming U.S. postage stamp.  Wynette joins the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe, as well as Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke, and other music icons that are planned to have their own postage stamp. Click here for details.

Handpicked Download of the Week: Lee Brice - I Don't Dance

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: Bobby Mackey's Honky Tonk in Wilder, KY will be hosting the first inaugural "Last Honky Tonk Music Series" on Saturday night.  It is in memory of Wayne Mills who was murdered in Nashville last November.  All 50 states will host a show each month with musicians and friends of the late singer songwriter.

The Road to Waylon Jennings

A vagabond dreamer, a rhymer and singer of songs
Singing to no one and nowhere to really belong

I have been a fan of Waylon Jennings for quite some time.  There is something about his vocals, his swagger, his guitar playing, and the lyrics that makes anyone a fan of his.  This past week I was in Nashville for a few days and decided to do some exploring around town.

Then I remember the one place I've heard about, listened to it being sung in songs, and yet never knew where it was.  That place was Waylon Jennings Office and studio.  You might recall hearing about it during his song, "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit Done Got Out of Hand."

We were wrapped up in our music, that's why we never saw,
The cars pull up, the boys get out and the room fill up with law.
They came pounding through the back door in the middle of the song.
They got me for possession of something that was gone, long gone.

Nestled along the manicured lawns of offices and houses along Music Row on 17th Avenue South, there it sits.  The simple off-white/tan brick home that once was the home of Waylon Jennings office and studio. Correction: According to Waylon's son, Buddy, this house was actually the home of Road Inc.  The grey house to the left in the photo below was the home of Waylon's studio & office.

Waylon Jennings Office...to the right - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

 On the left side of the house, hidden away somewhat is the infamous flying W Waylon emblem above a stain glass window.

 Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Waylon Jennings Emblem - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Waylon Jennings Emblem - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Waylon Jennings Emblem - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

As a Waylon fan, you can't help but smile thinking about all the great memories that those walls hold inside of them.  

Living That Song

One thing I hear constantly from folks is "I hate mainstream music" or "I hate hearing the same type song over and over."  Over the years I've opened my ears and eyes to bands that you hear via word of mouth.  They may have opened up for a band that I enjoy, or a friend suggested them.  My musical tastes vary, but one thing that stays constant is that it is music that is real.  In other words, the person that is up there singing the song has lived that song.

 

Let me say that again - the person singing the song has lived that song. You believe in the song, the personality of the person, and you respect them.  Hank 3 plays songs of trucks, going mudding, hunting, playing music, and other subjects.  I'd rather listen to his version because he lives those songs as compared to someone like Luke Bryan who relies on another person to write his material in an office room, then throw in a club hip hop beat and expect people to shake their rears.

 

I'm never one to come up with resolutions for new years.  Well except the many years I wanted to meet Little Jimmy Dickens at the Grand Ole Opry and that happened about 3 years ago.  (I'll have to tell ya'll that story one day).

 

For 2014, I plan on introducing a new artist/band that you may not have heard of.  Hopefully do it on a weekly basis.  It's funny how folks that I picked years ago and earlier this year on Examiner.com as "ones to watch" are just now getting picked up by some of the major blogs/news websites as their picks for 2014.

I also hope to get down to the Muddy Roots Festival, either the spring one or late summer/fall one.  That's on my bucket list needless to say!

 

Be on the lookout for some personal picks of mine throughout 2014.  You can also listen for those "far left field" picks each week as my Handpicked Download of the Week on WFKY during my Nashville News Roundup.

 

Speaking of Hank 3, here he is live singing "Brothers of the 4x4" live at the Gas Monkey Garage Bar & Grill.  You can check out my full review of his album here.

 

 

Nashville Adventures: Twitty City, Third Man Records, and Loveless Cafe

I believe that my second home could very well be Nashville, Tennessee.  This week I had to make a trip down there for an appointment and decided to do what I love best - sightseeing.  Every time I go to visit, I usually end up doing something different.  Needless to say there is always something to do when you go down there.

 

(Click below for photos & more on my adventures)

Nashville News Roundup for 11/1/2013

Each Friday morning on WFKY, I deliver the Nashville News Roundup at 9:20 AM.  You can listen online at www.myfroggyville.com, or on the radio dial or Tune-In App.  Here is this week's discussion topics.

Froggy St. Jude Jam
Saturday is the 3rd Annual St. Jude Jam at the Grand Theatre in Frankfort, KY. Tickets are just $5 and includes the musical talents of Greg Bates, Josh Pruno, and Aly'An.  More details here.

No Show Finale
Froggy St. Jude Jam artist Greg Bates is among those that have been added to the final performer list for the George Jones Final No Show concert in Nashville on Nov 22nd. Limited number of VIP packages are available for $1000 each.  Here is the complete list of performers that will be playing at the concert.

American Picker
Be sure to check out the Grascals new video alongside Dierks Bentley.  The tune is called American Picker, and yes it is based off the hot tv show.  There is even a guest appearance by Mike Wolfe from the show. Check out the video here.

Handpicked Downloads of the Week:
Greg Bates - Fill in the Blank
Josh Pruno - Cut Offs
Aly'an - The Real Thing

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date back in 1937, Bill Anderson was born in Columbia, South Carolina. Whisperin' Bill earns a series of hits as an artist and writes more for Connie Smith, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Ray Price, joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1961 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Nashville News Roundup for 10-25-2013

Each Friday morning on WFKY, I deliver the Nashville News Roundup at 9:20 AM.  You can listen online at www.myfroggyville.com, or on the radio dial or Tune-In App.  Here is this week's discussion topics.

 

Chasing Nashville
Lifetime tv channel has introduced a new tv series called "Chasin' Nashville." The unique part is that it follows 4 young girls from Appalachia following their country music dreams.  It debuted this week.  You can check it out on Tuesdays or online at http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/chasing-nashville.

 

Let's Get Ready for a Party
Blackberry Smoke and Brett Eldredge will join headliner Hank Williams Jr. for the Storme Warren-hosted Bash On Broadway in downtown Nashville on New Year’s Eve. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Handpicked Download of the Week

George Strait's latest release "I Got a Car"

 

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week

"Howdeee! I'm just so proud to be here!" Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon was born in Centerville, Tennessee in 1912. Through her persona as Minnie Pearl, she spends 50 years on the Grand Ole Opry and becomes a regular on "Hee Haw," joining the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1975.  If you go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and view her plaque in the rotundra, you will notice something unique.  Even though Sarah passed away in 1996, she wished that no date of death would be placed on Minnie Pearl as her spirit would live on forever.

Nashville Road Trip: Johnny Cash, The Mall, Waffle House

Catch up on Part 1 of my Nashville Adventures Here

After my cousin and I stopped at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, we made our way over to the Johnny Cash Museum & Store. It was ironic as I was carrying my Johnny Cash purse that I bought a little over a year ago online.  There it sat on the shelf for sale. 

My Johnny Cash Purse - by Jessica Blankenship

After paying $14 each (little high in my opinion), we walked through the museum of various Cash memorabilia.  I was in music heaven with all the cool historic artifacts out on display depicting Johnny Cash's life and career.  It was a little packed so we didn't get to see every little thing, but I was able to capture a few photos.  It was neat seeing the tin cups Cash received when he performed at Folsom Prison. 

Cups given to Johnny Cash when he performed at Folsom Prison. Photo by Jessica Blankenship.

They also had his marriage certificate from when he & June Carter Cash married in Franklin, Ky.  I always said that I wanted a love like Johnny and June (well minus the drugs!)

Johnny Cash and June Carter Marriage License at Johnny Cash Museum. Photo by Jessica Blankenship.

You could also view furniture from his house, sitting in front of a rock wall that was taken from his homestead.  The eerie part was the ending of the museum tour.  As you sat and read over career facts, the music video for "Hurt" was playing.  Alongside it was the guitar and music awards he received from the last video he made.  You realized it was the end and how much of a huge impact Cash left on music.

Furniture from Johnny Cash's home as seen in the Hurt video. Photo by Jessica Blankenship.

Once we got through the museum, we headed back onto Broadway to visit a few shops.  Then it was off to the Opry Mills Mall.  I hadn't been inside since the major flood except to go into the Bass Pro Shop.  We literally shopped til we dropped.  Afterwards we decided out of all the places in Nashville to eat...we go to Waffle House.  No country star sightings.

The next morning, I took my cousin down for a little "tour de Nashville."  I think I should charge for these personalized tours full of history and facts.  I took her first over to the Grand Ole Opry House, then we went downtown to see the infamous Music Row.  The funny thing is that the two songs I despise hearing, Wagon Wheel and Boys Round Here, had banners hung up for their success. I even drove by the "naked people statue" because there is no way you cannot visit Nashville without taking a turn around that.

Marathon made automobiles for a short span of time. Photo by Jessica Blankenship.

George Jones touring jacket. By Jessica Blankenship

Our final stop before heading back to Kentucky was the Antique Archaeology shop.  It is where the American Pickers tv show has their shop in Nashville over at Marathon Works.  When we pulled up in the parking lot, there was a huge line of folks waiting for it to open.  The last time I was in there, there wasn't a line.  I wasn't for sure if something was happening or what was going on.  We gave it about 15 minutes after the line went inside and we ventured in there.  It was packed to the gills of young, old, and all points in between. Not for the claustrophobic or anxiety attack waiting to happen folks. Around the shop is various memorabilia that Frank & Mike have picked on their travels.  The coolest thing I saw was George Jones tour jacket - not for sale unfortunately.  We found us each a shirt and stood in line at the register. Well, at least we thought we were in line but it was a mess.  They definitely need a MUCH bigger place and organization. Or we should have waited until later to go in there.

Finally we said goodbye to the bright lights and country music of Nashville on our way back to Kentucky.  Our trip ended with my cousin wanting to go back to Nashville and see even more sights and sounds. I would say my job as "personal tour guide" was a success if she wants to return!

Don't worry - I went back to Nashville a couple of weeks after our adventures.  Stay tune to part 3 coming soon - George Jones, Bakersfield, Loveless Cafe adventures.