Confessions of a Social Media Junkie

I’m no country music fan. Flat out. I’m not.

You won’t find me line dancing* or two steppin’ my way across a dance floor (for one, I’m not coordinated enough and second, I’m just not into it).

However I do appreciate good music. Which means there are some country songs I like. A couple by Carrie Underwood. One or two by Willie Nelson. The Dixie Chicks and even good ol’ Garth Brooks have some favourites of mine.

A download of a country song here and there is all I need. No more.

Which makes the next part of what I’m going to say seem rather juxtaposed.

So I just got back from Nashville…

My company held a conference in Nashville last week. I was in Music City for four solid days. And while I didn’t get to see much of the city (because of work) I did get to go to The Grand Old Opry.

That place is pretty cool. You know you need to be invited to sing there?

So check it out, here I am centre stage at the Grand Old Opry:

The circle of lighter wood I’m standing on is cut from the stage of the original Grand Old Opry at Ryman Auditorium.

Below is a quick snapshot of the singer-songwriters who entertained us that evening:

The musicians (from l. to r.: Steve Dean, Karen Staley and Billy Montana) have written songs for the likes of Waylon Jennings, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks and a bunch of other well-known country music stars whose names I do not know. The stage lights were so bright you can’t see their faces in the photo but I think the effect is kind of cool.

Steve, Karen and Billy are talented and quite funny. It was an intimate live music experience and I liked the songs they sang. Funny enough, I’d rather download their version of their songs than any of the big name country music stars who sing them.

So not only did we get to listen to some great live music, we also got to tour the dressing rooms back stage.

Here is a snapshot of the Green Room:

It’s really comfy back stage at the Grand Old Opry; a relaxed air. Even in the dressing rooms – some of which have definite glam and sophistication. Like this one:

See what I mean? Totally glamorous. But in a calm way.

While this was definitely an experience I wouldn’t have anticipated for myself, I really enjoyed visiting this iconic place. I may not be a country music fan in the traditional sense but I can appreciate history and talent.

Yes, visiting the Grand Old Opry was pretty amazing. So here’s to new and unexpected experiences.

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* Point of clarification:

I did at this event get up and line dance. Once. After all, you can’t poo-poo something if you’ve never tried it. I could only follow the steps if the dance instructor was directly in front of me. Even though it was the same series of steps, each time we switched direction I completely lost my way. Yeah…that’s how uncoordinated I am. That’s why I don’t line dance.