Summer Vacation: Nashville Part 1

So this summer, Scott decided to take all of his vacation at once.  As you know, we kicked off our summer vacation by heading to Ocean City, MD.  We came home for a wedding reception, and headed back out on the road bright and early on the following Monday.  (Well, it wasn't at all bright.  That's how early it was....)

Our next destination was Nashville, TN.  As a big country music fan, I needed to go to Nashville.  Scott had made plans to visit a high school friend who lives in Mississippi.  When I first put the address in my iPhone to find a route, it took us right through Nashville.  That's when I knew we had to go!  I seriously loved Nashville so much, that I'm going to have to break this post up into a few segments.  I don't want to overwhelm you with all of my love! :)

Unfortunately, a couple of accidents along the Interstate caused traffic to be at a stop just outside the city.  On the bright side, this gave me the chance to snap a picture of the sky line!

The first thing on our agenda was a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.  We purchased the Platinum package which allowed us access to the museum, the audio tour, and a tour of historic Studio B.  Our Studio B tour was scheduled for 2:30, and we coasted in around 1:30.  We briefly browsed the museum, and then met our group for the tour.

The Studio B tour was seriously my most favorite part of the day....and our whole stay in Nashville.  

Since you probably can't see what that says....Studio B was one of the first recording studios in Nashville.  Elvis, among many other amazing artists recorded here.

And yes, the blonde with the big hair is Miss Dolly Parton!

I don't even think I can put into words the emotions I was feeling from the minute I stepped into this place.  I am honestly shocked that I didn't burst into tears because my eyes were filled with them the whole time.  We got to go into the recording studio itself, and our tour guide, Abigail, played Elvis' version of "How Great Thou Art", which was recorded at Studio B.  She also told us that Elvis loved to create the right mood for recording sessions and had special lights put in.  During his recording session for "How Great Thou Art," he had all blue lights on.  To record "Are You Lonesome Tonight," every light in the entire BUILDING was turned off.

I got to stand in the exact spot where he (and many others) recorded songs, and I got to sit at what was Elvis' favorite piano.  He even wanted to buy that piano, and the studio told him no!

I could just go on and on about how amazing this was, but I will just leave you with the two Elvis' songs I shared about.  Stay tuned for more about the Country Music Hall of Fame!