Martina McBride and Connie Smith perform for country music fans in the Grand Ole Opry. Photo / AP
Martina McBride and Connie Smith perform for country music fans in the Grand Ole Opry. Photo / AP
You can't visit Nashville without embracing country music, writes Megan Singleton.
1. GRAND OLE OPRY Don't leave town until you've seen a show on the most iconic stage in Nashville. "The Home of American Music" was founded in 1925 as a weekly one-hour radio show. Today it is where legends and chart toppers share the stage with up-and-comers. For truecountry, bluegrass and gospel fans, add a backstage VIP tour.
2. RYMAN AUDITORIUM The original home of the Opry until they outgrew the auditorium, this building was neglected for many years and was nearly pulled down before Emmylou Harris performed here in the early 1990s and renewed interest in it. Today the Opry calls this home during winter. But this year it will begin hosting a musical of Dr Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas over the festive season.
3. RCA STUDIO B TOUR This is an add-on at the Country Music Hall of Fame and one that you might pass over if someone doesn't tell you that it's really cool. That nearly happened to me, but luckily we were saved from missing the opportunity to sit at the grand piano that Elvis cut 260 songs at and learn about all the other stars who recorded here, including The Everly Brothers, Mickey Gilley, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison and Dolly Parton.
4. NASHVILLE PEDAL TAVERN Definitely the most fun you can have on a bike. Well it's not actually a bike but a pedal car that eight to 16 people operate with a guide and plenty of beer. You'll use leg power on this two-hour bar crawl around Honky Tonk Row and the music sites while your driver/guide regales you with all things Nashville. Take your own booze as they cannot sell it, but they do provide ice and a cooler. No kegs or glass.
5. BIG BANG PIANO BAR For less energy than the pedal tavern but just as much fun, head upstairs to Big Bang and prepare to sing along, stamp your feet and whoop at the guys on two grand pianos facing each other take requests. The talent is incredible and they're great fun. Tip: they're very good at Billy Joel's Piano Man.
