Summer means sun, yes. It means getting outside, tossing the frisbee for the dog, getting out on the water. In fact, I think I can say that summer in Nashville may just about beat out any other city around.

Definitely one of the biggest reasons is all the incredible music events and festivals we get during the summer. And maybe the granddaddy of them all is right around the corner ― the CMA Music Festival from June 11-14.

This one is a true monster of an event. It’s got the stellar lineup of artists. Are you a fan of Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Wynonna, Brooks & Dunn, or Reba McEntire? How about the Bellamy Brothers, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, or Little Big Town? Well, then you best get tickets.

Get a four-day pass and free shuttles will run you back and forth to all the venues: LP Field, Riverfront Park, the Exhibit Hall, and the Family Zone/Sports Zone.

Dane

I have a colleague here at the hotel who is always giving me a bad time about being a country fan. He is more your rock dude. More cowbell, he always says. So I’m always trying to find country artists he likes too.

A recent one he couldn’t deny is Patsy Cline. At first, he tried to tell me she wasn’t country. Ha. So for his birthday Dora and I got him two tickets to Always…Patsy Cline at the Ryman. We saw it already last month and thought it was great.

I guess you could call it a musical play. It follows her friendship with a fan from Houston in the 60s who she kept up a correspondence with over the years. It’s funny and moving in spots and full of a lot of her great music.

The show runs until May 23 and I think may make my best case with that friend that country music don’t need no cowbell at all.

Dane

OK, so here’s the deal. This month is what we call Awesome April around here. And there are so many music events going on during the month that it’s impossible to write about all of them. So, here are a few teasers to get you started.

First, get your spiritual groove on and hit Gospel Music Week, with more than 100 musical performances, panels, and workshops. It runs April 18-22.

And then on the last Saturday in April, the 25th, head over to Centennial Park for the Country Music Marathon and half Marathon. There will be 50 bands playing on 27 stages.

You better take some days off work. You could be busy this month.

Dane

Dora and I have made a New Year’s resolution to get out a few times a month and be “tourists.” When you live in a place like Nashville for a while, it’s easy to forget that people travel a long way to get a look at our history and attractions.

So last weekend we went and toured the United Record Pressing plant in downtown Nashville. It’s been around since 1949 and is one of only four places in the whole country still making vinyl records. Man, I just love that some place is still doing it. It’s a really amazing process.

While you’re at it, check out their “Motown Suite” and party room, both of which have great stories to tell. But, you’ll have to visit the plant yourself to get the scoop.

Dane

OK, Santa didn’t bring me that Harley at Boswell’s I’ve had my eye on (man, they have some incredible bikes over there…), but I got the next best thing: a hand-made banjo from Cotten’s!

That one has been on my list for years. I mean, come on, handmade. It’s like playing a work of art. The guys at Cotten’s know what they’re doing. But I have to say I never thought I’d actually get one. Don’t tell me I don’t have the greatest wife in the world.

I’ve been playing the thing so much since Christmas it’s actually a little hard to type this right now. My fingers are numb. But I ain’t complaining. Hope Santa was as good to all ya’ll.

Dane

Dora actually just talked to me about that! Her mother went to see it and totally loved it. Sort of like a Vegas show, which reminds me of what we’re doing next Wed. We’re meeting some friends to see this band Burning Las Vegas at B.B. King’s who I guess play a mix of funk, rock and R&B.

They’re supposed to be incredible live performers. My friend plays the trumpet and says they have a blazing horn section. I can’t vouch for them until I see them, but B.B. King’s usually gets good acts in there.

What I told Dora was even if the music is not quite as blazing as he says, we love the gumbo there so we really can’t go wrong. By the way, Burning Las Vegas play every Wed., starting at 7.

Dane

OK, it’s not Shakespeare like you Dane, but if you’re looking for a fun show to go see this one was really great. Especially if you like good old country music. These are all songs I grew up listening to.

So the show is called The Honky Tonk Angels and it’s a dinner thing at the Nashville Dinner Theatre. If you saw Always, Patsy Cline when that ran (I missed it unfortunately), it’s the same guy who does this one.

It follows these three women who want to be singers who are all on a bus on their way to Nashville. And during their story they sing all these classics like “Stand By Your Man” and “Delta Dawn” and “Harper Valley PTA.” You’ll totally know the songs, which is fun.

It runs Wed-Sun until Nov. 23. And hey there’s dinner!

See ya!
Sabrina

I went wine tasting the other night at a place I’ve never been before that I think Preston visitors would like. I didn’t know about it, probably because I don’t know very much about jazz. When I told Dane he just shook his head and said, “Kids today.”

So it’s called F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar. I guess a lot of celebrities go there. That’s what my friend said. Like Dolly. I would’ve loved to see Dolly! But I didn’t see anyone. Maybe you will.

They play live jazz every night of the week. And the food is supposed to all be really delicious. Next time we go we’re going to stay for dinner. We were there for the Monday wine tasting but we did share a plate of the parmesan pommes frites. Yum!

Say hi to Dolly if you see her!

See ya!
Sabrina

I think good music is good music, no matter whether it’s country, or western. Ha. Or any other kind. Personally, I think some of the best, most talented people you can see in town, outside the Opry, are at the Bluebird. That’s where I’d take someone who really loves good, well-done music.

You might’ve actually heard of the Bluebird. It’s pretty famous and if you’re a songwriter I’ll bet you know of it. Everyone wants to play there because of its reputation. A lot of really well known musicians have stopped there.
Partly it’s because of how they do it. What they do is they have three or four singers sit in a circle, and then have them each play their songs. They also talk about how they came up with it, which is really interesting. And Sunday is free. Can’t beat that.

Dane

Don’t think that everyone that lives in Nashville or comes here only loves country music. OK, I do love it, but I also like rock too! They call us the Music City, not the Country Music City! Right?

So over at Elliston Place you can rock out as loud as you want. It’s just west of downtown near Vanderbilt. I guess you could call it one of the younger, trendier areas, but it’s got lots of food places and nighttime stuff to do.

And right in the middle is what we call the Elliston Place Rock Block. This a block-long area that has like five or six rock clubs. Probably the most well known is Exit/In. It’s been around since the ’70s. But my favorite is The End across the street. Told you we’re not only country!

Rock on!
Sabrina