Music City Convert

Before yesterday, when someone mentioned Nashville I envisioned Honky Tonks, rhine stones, Hee Haw and Baptists. 24 hours later and the reality is Nashville is a vibrant and thriving landmark that embraces all kinds of music from jazz to classical to folk to bluegrass and, of course, country. Sarge threatened to test my wits when I get back so I'm dutifully touring the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded half his #1 hits, and all of Music Row.

I'm staying at the postmodern Hilton Hotel. The building reminds me of the inside of a Borg Collective from a Star Trek episode. The height of expansive atrium lobby is outrageously high, nearly disconcerting for anyone with a fear of high places. There's exposed piping and tubing mounted on the ceiling, far far above, and 1 of 3 glass elevators rushes you to the 12 floor so quickly you can feel the G-forces. My guest suite is three times as big as a NY City apartment rental with a sweeping view of the new Schermerhorn Symphony Center, still under construction. I'm here for a hard-hat tour of the concert hall, an acoustic masterpeice before it officially opens Sept. 9th.

Last night I listened to Hall of Fame Songwriter inductee Don Schlitz at the "Shhh!" BlueBird Cafe. It's a cafe by day and a music club by night. Some of country and folk music's best artists got their start here. Don Schlitz wrote "The Gambler" way back in 1974 for Kenny Rogers but sings it better than anyone else can. We were told that if we were caught talking during a performance after the third strike we'd be tossed out. Schlitz tempted us with comedic breaks in between songs and playing up to his sweet Mom in the back row. Check out his lyrics at his website and you'll see why he received a CMA nomination for Song of the Year in 1994. Great stuff!