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Travel
Ryman
Auditorium
Insider’s Guide to
Nashville, Tennessee
Break out your cowboy boots and take a trip to America’s
country music capital.
E
Ever since artists like Elvis and Dolly
Parton got their start in Nashville,
the city has become a magnet for upand-coming musicians and throngs
of fans. “The best singer-songwriters
in rock, country and pop come to
Nashville,” says country singer Sarah
Darling, who moved here eight years
ago to launch her music career.
L A D I E S ’ H O M E J O U R N A L | A P R I L 20 1 2
MUSIC ROW Darling recommends
you hit Broadway and check out the
small clubs, cafés and restaurants
that host live performances. She likes
Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where the
bar’s namesake served beers to Patsy
Cline and Waylon Jennings back in
the 1960s. 422 Broadway; 615-7260463; tootsies.net. Next, she suggests
R Y M A N A U D I T O R I U M : I S T O C K P H O T O.
by kate siber
you head to historic Printers Alley, a
district where you can test your
singing chops at Ms. Kelli’s, one of
Nashville’s biggest karaoke bars.
207 Printers Alley; 615-255-4423;
mskellisnashville.com.
STAR TREK The biggest must-see on
Darling’s list? The Grand Ole Opry,
where stars like Alan Jackson and
Reba McEntire have performed. If you
can’t score tickets to a concert, take a
tour during the day. For discounts and
giveaways, like its Facebook page. 2804
Opryland Drive; 615-871-6779; opry.com.
Tootsies
Orchid
Lounge
Die-hard country fans should also visit
the “mother church of country music,”
the historic Ryman Auditorium.
This downtown venue was home to the
Grand Ole Opry for more than 30 years.
116 5th Ave. North; 615-458-8700;
ryman.com.
SIT AND LISTEN You just might catch
the next big thing at The Bluebird
Cafe, where songwriters perform
their own music in hopes of getting a
record deal. Darling herself has graced
the stage and she’s in good company:
Garth Brooks was discovered here.
4104 Hillsboro Pike; 615-383-1461;
bluebirdcafe.com.
CLASSIC SOUVENIRS Take home a
one-of-a-kind keepsake from Hatch
Show Print, a working letterpress
shop where concert posters have been
created since 1879. 316 Broadway;
615-256-2805; hatchshowprint.com.
Then swing by Darling’s favorite store,
Corner Music. It’s filled with all kinds
The
Bluebird
Cafe
of instruments and accessories; the
collection of guitars could almost be a
museum itself. 2705 12th Ave. South;
615-297-9559; cornermusic.com.
HIP HOTEL Visiting bands often stay at
The Hutton, a sophisticated hotel with
attendants who can offer inside tips on
restaurants and shows. 1808 West End
Ave.; 615-340-9333; huttonhotel.com.
For breakfast, head to The Pancake
Pantry, where you might spot famous
regulars like Vince Gill. If there’s a long
line on weekends, they serve free coffee
while you wait. 1796 21st Ave. South;
615-383-9333; thepancakepantry.com.