Music is Magic!
My latest adventure took me to Nashville TN, affectionately known as Music City for obvious reasons. It was just as amazing as I had imagined. I walked the streets for days, immersing myself in the culture of country music; living and loving the legacy of the legends who kicked off their careers there.
I have always enjoyed listening to music, but gained a new appreciation for observing the art of making music, and experiencing the impact it has on others. Musicians ranging in age from old enough to be my grandparents to young enough to be my grandchildren performed a plethora of classic and original tunes in the barrage of bars lining Broadway Street, the main drag downtown. At one point I heard the same song ringing from three different doorways as I stood at the corner waiting to cross the street.
I visited Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, and was fascinated by the history and aura of excellence that graced that space. Standing on the same stage where Charlie Chaplin, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Mini Pearl among many other entertainers and musicians made their debut decades ago was awe inspiring. The incredible acoustics achieved as a result of the shape of the building, still occupied by the original curved oak pews exceeds the quality of Carnegie Hall.
Of course I attended the Grand Ole Opry, adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, my home away from home for five full days. A sprawling 53 acre complex arranged around 9 acres of indoor walkways winding through cascading waterfalls and a variety of vegetation from palm trees and primrose to amaryllis and orchids artfully arranged as an indoor tropical paradise complete with a delta riverboat cruise around the half mile river.
The highlight of my trip was a visit to Dark Horse Recording Studio. Situated just south of Nashville, this world class recording destination resembles a treehouse, high on a hill surrounded by horse farms. I met the creator of this powerful place years ago when we spoke at the same conference and I told him then that I would visit him in Nashville. I was ecstatic standing in the same space where some of my favorite stars like Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Martina McBride and Faith Hill have recorded their music. I sat in with Robin (Crowe) as he did some recording and even made a video myself. Check it out on youtube: http://tinyurl.com/gailodreambig
Music is magic; it connects people in ways that nothing else can. We all have a song in our heart; unfortunately not everyone has the guts to sing it. What is your song? And how will you share it with the world? Make your own kind of music; sing your own special song. I assure you, you will be glad you did
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