When I was just a tyke, my parents took us out to California. I don’t know if I’ve been as excited for a trip in my entire life. We went to Disneyland, the La Brea Tar Pits (how that ever got to be a popular tourist destination, I’ll never know). But, for some reason, the Walk of Fame really sticks in my memory. Maybe it’s because when I stood on George Reeves’ star, I felt like Superman for just a minute.
I’ve got to say, I do get the same kind of rush when I’m on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, one of Nashville’s best attractions, in my opinion. When I’m surrounded by all the greats—Randy Travis, Martina McBride, Little Richard, Elvis (of course), and so many more—I’m reminded of all the great music I’ve seen in this city of mine over the years.
The Walk is an easy one-mile stroll that connects to downtown’s Music Row, and it’s a great way to while away an afternoon, and start up good arguments about who was the greatest.
Years ago when Dora and I had been married just a few years, we (she) decided that we needed to start having a “date night” each week. We took turns. When it was my choice, we ended up at a Titans game or honky-tonk or whatever. When Dora was making the plan, we checked out a new restaurant or gallery. It was always something interesting.
Recently, Dora mentioned starting it up again. I shocked her by offering to go first, knowing exactly what I’d do. The hotel has this “Do Not Disturb: Romantic Notions Package.” We’ll head out to dinner, and then I’ll tell her I need to stop by the hotel for something. Instead, I’ll take her to the room, where there will be a bottle of wine, chocolate-dipped strawberries, bath salts and an aromatherapy candle waiting. The next morning we’ll get breakfast and a late check-out. I want to see how she’ll top that!
One of the only things that makes the end of summer in Nashville less painful is that fall brings October, and October means Oktoberfest – a great event anywhere, but Nashville does it right. The big one is in Germantown, of course, and is hosted by Church of the Assumption and Monroe Street United Methodist Church. It’s free and is one of Nashville’s best.
There’s live music on three stages, including Die Musik Meisters, Music City Swing, Steff Mahan Band, and Ted Guillaum, polka dancing, street performers, arts and crafts booths. There’s “Fun Land” for the kids and a tour of historic churches (for those who like that sort of thing). Last year there were also some booths with some cool German antiques, something I haven’t seen before.
Saving the best for last, there’s all that German food and beer. Give me a grilled bratwurst on a fresh-baked roll with spicy mustard, a stein of pilsner, fresh-baked streudel for dessert, and I got no complaints.
I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this green Nashville music event yet, and now there are only two more nights (Oct. 1 and to check it out. On Thursdays, at Public Square Plaza, you can listen to great music, FREE, at Live On The Green. If you haven’t seen Public Square Plaza yet, it’s worth going for that alone.
The Plaza is as green as they come. It’s a 2.25-acre green roof on top of a five-level underground parking garage. It has its own irrigation system, using 50,000+ gallons of collected rainwater. In keeping with the theme, the concert series has incorporated several environmentally conscious elements: Nothing is sold in plastic bottles, a free bike-check is available, leftover food is being composted—you get the picture.
And, oh yeah, the music. October 1 is Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Maureen Murphy and October 8 is Citizen Cope, Ricky Young, Next Big Nashville. It’s never been so easy to go green.
to check it out. On Thursdays, at Public Square Plaza, you can listen to great music, FREE, at