The southern states of the United States of America proudly claim ownership to the origins of country music. Extracted from different genres as folk, Celtic, gospel and old-world music, it reached its prime in the 1920s. It was originally branded as ‘hillbilly’ music, but in the 1940s the word was considered demeaning and the label ‘country music’ was used. Though the younger generations are not familiar with this genre of music, the sprite of it is kept alive by the generations who remember it in towns all around the world.
Nashville made its mark in the world with its openness to promote country music. In the 1950s, when the essence of country music was being mixed with pop music, RCA Records and Columbia Records created The Nashville Sound. They replaced the basic traditional style of fiddles, steel guitar and nasal lead vocals with more polished styles of the 1950s pop music. Artists such as Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and Charlie Rich belonged to this style of music. However, it does not mean the original ‘honky-tonk’ country music has completely disappeared. There are many places still offering live country music all around Nashville.
The Grand Ole Opry has been playing country music since the 1920s, but the live show on stage is something you MUST see. The Ryman Auditorium had stars such as Johnny Wright and Earnest Tubb leaving their mark. It is called the ‘Mother Church of Country Music’ for its originality and history. You will find an amazing collection of Country Music Memorabilia at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It is another must see pit stop as you will find the guitar shaped pool and the silver dollar studded Cadillac of Webb Price. The Hatch Show Print Shop is also owned by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which did art work for legends such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.
For the dancer in you, Wildhorse Saloon is highly recommended as it offers 66,000 square foot of space for you to dance, dine, drink and learn the two-step. Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Woofy’s, The Stage and Rippy’s give you a chance to experience a real taste of the old honky-tonk. Don’t forget that it is the home of the country music folk, and dressing up is just a waste of your time. Get into those jeans and your comfy shoes, and get ready to dance your way to country music in Nashville.
To truly experience the southern hospitality you would look to stay in a Nashville hotel that is close to the main attractions and also lets you sense that you are truly in the country music territory. The Millennium Maxwell House Nashville, located next to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Opry Mills, gives you a chance to stay blissfully in the only music-themed hotel in Nashville.
