Nashville

As far as cities go, Nashville has been the most fun on the trip so far.

Having arrived very late on Monday night, a nightcap in Broadway's honky tonks was required. Broadway is Nashville's main thoroughfare and downton hub of country bars - aka honky tonks - where local bands play. The band on Monday night was great, and even played a Stones song especially for us - weren't expecting 'Miss You' though! Our nightcap soon turned into a 2 o'clock stumble back to the hotel to get our heads down for the busy day ahead.

It was an early start on Tuesday - lots to fit in! First stop, Ryman Auditorium, home of the live country music institution the Grand Ol' Opry. The theatre was incredible, its history seeping from the walls. There was an opportunity to record a song there, but we didn't. We really wish we did!

The Country Music Hall of Fame was next - seeing the history of the genre from its commercial beginnings to present day, through artifacts and displays from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and many more. Personal highlights were Elvis Presley's gold cadillac - complete with TV and record player in the back, and an ice machine that could make ice in 2 and 1/2 minutes - and Gram Parsons' Nudie suit, which was tiny!

The RCA Studio B was next. This was the place where Elvis recorded almost 250 songs, as well as Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers and Jim Reeves. The studio is still in use, and features the original piano Elvis used (and wasn't allowed to buy), plus the coloured lighting he requested to set moods. BB Gunn was asked to demo the honky tonk piano - not sure the rest of the tour knew 'Alright' by Supergrass though!

We went back to Broadway after Studio B for a bit of a look round the shops - it's cowboy boots and country music and not much else!

A brief respite back at the hotel, and then it was time to really hit Nashville.

What did we get up to? Stay tuned to find out...!
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Slideshow on the blog page now - check it out!

Oops!

Forgot to tell you about the frolics on the freeway while heading out of Detroit...

Somewhere around 8 Mile Road we noticed the gas was running low in the car. BB Gunn said it'd last us the day. We asked him if he was sure, because trust us, you DON'T want to be stopping on 8 Mile...

Ten minutes later, en route to the airport, Ol' Bessie gave up on us. Cue Ladbelly, Muddy and BB walking up the freeway to the next gas station to fill up a canister...

Never did get to hear the end of BB's story about Van Halen.

PS writing this from a crackin' honky tonk on Broadway in Nashville where the band is playing The Doobie Brothers' 'Long Train Running'. I could SO live here!
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Hello Nashville!

A rather odd day in Detroit today - started with the ecstasy of finally visiting the hallowed grounds of Motown - standing on the stairs of 2648 West Grand Boulevard, aka Hitsville USA - then onto Woodlawn Cemetery to pay our respects to Motown alumni including Levi Stubbs and James Jamerson.

Heading into town it was bizarre - downtown was empty, like a ghost town, since it was Labor Day weekend. But the centre itself was jostling with the Detroit Jazz Festival - we got to see a cracking gospel performance.

From there it was time to do some work - we met up with the current line up of The Miracles, including original member Bobby Rogers, and thoroughly enjoyed an hour of talking about music, music, music.

Hopefully we can combat our technical hitches to finally bring you our videos and catch up on everything we've been up to...
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Motown...!

After our stay in what can only be described as a 'motel from hell' (complete with bloodstains on the carpet!) on 8 mile in Detroit, we made it to heaven in the form of Motown records.


Unfortunately the museum was closed but this didn't prevent the feeling of magic oozing from the studio that has produced some of the finest music the world has ever heard. This is where it all started, where Berry Gordy Jr. captured the spirit of the city through (now) household names such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye.


We then headed down to Woodlawn Cemetery to pay our respects to James Jamerson, Levi Stubbs and Erma Franklin. From there we headed downtown to sample gospel and jazz at the city's annual music festival and we're now currently sat in a hotel lobby waiting to speak with a couple of Motown legends.... will bring you more on this shortly.


Stay in touch.

The Latest

Just to update, we have left Chicago and are now in Detroit. We fly out tonight to Nashville where hopefully we can resume normal service on the blogs - we stayed in a motel last night with a wifi connection from 1997, and having problems with the conversion of videos... Expect some great footage and pix from Chess, Motown, and our interviews from both!
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Meat!

By far THE best steak we have collectively EVER eaten. Sullivan's, you have destroyed us.

If you are ever in Chicago (or Austin, Texas, where we first discovered this steak heaven) make sure you go here.

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