I’m on vacation, but the miracles of the Internet allow me to write today’s column and get it to you, dear readers.
I’m in Nashville! I have been here a few times before, working the CBA Hospitality for the IBMA World of Bluegrass event when it was in Nashville. Those prior visits were helpful in helping me to know my way around town a bit for this visit, but I didn’t realize until I got here this time that I had never been on Nashville’s Broadway at night!
While on the CBA’s IBMA crew, we had free time in the early afternoon to explore, and I walked all over town. I knew where all the honky tonks were downtown, and had been in them, but while they almost always had live music, even in the early afternoon, there’s no comparison to the energy and excitement of the live scene.
In my experience, only New Orleans rivals the sheet volume of music venues, and like New Orleans, the main drag is totally full of throngs of people enjoying themselves. Some enjoyed themselves a little too much – I’ve seen more well-dressed passed out people in the past 2 days than I’ve seen in the past 10 years.
But, while I like my fun, I LOVE music and there is live music all over the place! Most of the honky tonks have multiple floors and a band playing on each floor. In general, the musicians here are terrific – and why not? This is where thousands of aspiring musicians come to “make it” in the music business.
In between making it or not making it, is a huge netherworld of “working, gifted amateurs” and this where the overwhelming majority dwell. These musicians are working HARD, and playing strange hours, and sometimes strange venues. I saw one fine singer, during her brief break, attack a plate of food with great vigor, trying to fuel up for the next set.
Watching carefully, I was able to determine which bands are well-set lineups and which were thrown together to back up a singer. I expect band’s form and break up like crazy out here. Great singers and great guitar pickers abound – backed by great drummers and great bassists. Oddly, very bands had 3 part harmonies, and very few dressed very well. It seemed to me if you want to rise above the clutter, learn some killer harmonies and dress for the job you want – not the job you have.
Still, it must be thrilling to play these bars and honky tonks, and everyone I saw playing and singing seemed to know they were on hallowed musical ground.
