Explore Nashville: The Home of Country Music
If you’ve ever been to Nashville, you know it’s a thriving, multi-dimensional metropolis with an array of entertainment and cultural options, but it is the Music City after all. No trip to Nashville is complete without experiencing live music and some of the places that helped make music what it is today. Even if you aren’t the biggest country music fan, the history and the impact Nashville has made on music in general is fascinating, and all types of performers are part of the Nashville lore.
Even with a busy schedule of educational sessions, exploring the trade show floor, industry parties and much more, Smart Tan Nashville, Nov. 3-5, leaves some time to experience a taste of all that Nashville has to offer. If the historical element is what you’re interested in, you can’t miss these sites:
A National Historic Monument, Ryman Auditorium’s history includes much more than country music. It became known as the “Carnegie Hall of the South” in an age when John Phillips Sousa and Enrico Caruso performed, Theodore Roosevelt spoke, and Houdini escaped at the Ryman. But, of course, you can also check out dressing rooms dedicated to country legends like Hank Williams and Minnie Pearl.
The Opry is the world’s longest running live radio program, with its first show having taken place in 1925. Over the years, anyone who’s anyone in country music has been featured. Nashville’s number-one attraction, hundreds of thousands travel from around the world to see the show live each year. Be sure to check their schedule as acts are added for the weekend of Smart Tan Nashville, Nov. 3-5. Backstage tours are also available, if you can’t make it to a show.
The iconic 90-seat music club is known for intimate acoustic performances and as the place where many of country music’s biggest stars paid their dues as unknowns. Superstars from Garth Brooks to Taylor Swift are said to have been discovered there. With music seven nights a week, you can visit for Writer’s Night, Open Mic Night, In the Round (several writers take turns), or a special event. The performance schedule is listed online and reservations can be made a week in advance.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
It’s hard to explain briefly all that the Country Music Hall of Fame offers visitors. But perhaps Nashville.com does it best: “A treasure trove of historic country video clips and recorded music, dynamic exhibits and state-of-the-art design, a regular menu of live performances and public programs, a museum store, live satellite radio broadcasts, on-site dining, and fabulous public spaces all contribute to an unforgettable Museum experience.” Its permanent exhibit, “Sing Me Back Home,” uses artifacts and interactive media to allow visitors to experience everything from country’s pre-commercial roots up to modern day.
Special tip: The Omni Hotel, connected to the Music City Center where Smart Tan Nashville is located, is fully integrated with an expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on three levels. While
Smart Tan Nashville provides a full slate of education and entertainment in itself, the trip is also a great opportunity to take some time to explore an incredible city with attractions for any style. There’s so much to see in the city, even those who have been going since our first convention there haven’t seen it all. Better start planning now — we’ll see you in Nashville!
Click here for more information on Smart Tan Nashville, Nov. 13-15 2015.
