Country music and Elvis

[danes-on-tour]

In the autumn we have decided to take a trip that will take us to Nashville and Memphis. We want to hear some Country music and also what to see if we can spot Elvis who allegedly is hanging out around the Memphis area.

We have been looking for tickets in Nashville but it seems like there is nothing much about when it comes to famous artists. We like the modern style country mixed with a bit of rock and roll ( Trace Adkins style music). Can anyone point us in the right direction where to look, please? There are without a doubt places that we would find interesting - we just don't know where to start looking.

Looking forward to hear your advice.

Thanks

[SD Traveler]

We love both Nashville and Memphis and there is much to see and do. In the fall, several "name" entertainers do appear at the Ryman Theater which was the former home of the Grand Ol' Opry. Just check out their web site.

Since you are not a fan of more traditional country music I would suggest you settle for a visit to the Broadway area. There are several bars that will have bands playing continuously and most of these are new talent looking for a break. Most play country rock with a mixture of more traditional tunes. Of course the Opry is great for the classics and the Country Music Hall of Fame is a great visit as well. Make sure you drive down to the Loveless Cafe for a good old country meal.

Memphis is a different city altogether, more blues and rock than country. Beale St. will have all the entertainment you need. Eat at the Blues City Cafe and catch their entertainment at the same time. BB Kings across the street is also excellent. I would drive down to Clarksdale and hit Morgan Freeman's blues club for a good time. While in Memphis do the Rock & Soul Museum and of course Sun and Stax Studios.

Nick

[MikeandClaudia]

A good placeto stay in Memphis is T.O. Fuller State Park. TN State Parks: T.O. Fuller State Park

Although it is in a "not so great" area of Memphis, we found it to be a great park--clean and well maintained; and percieved no problems.

I don't recall what the rates were, but I remember them as being very reasonable.

[danes-on-tour]

EXCELLENT INFORMATION

This is exactly the information we was hoping for.

[MonacoMama]

Henrik... when will you be in the area?

[danes-on-tour]

Hi MM

"She who must be obeyed" informs me that I will be in Nashville from the 19th to the 23rd of October, and in Memphis from the 24th to the 26th of October.

It would appear that many campgrounds shut down at the end of October when it starts to get cold.

From here we plan to go down Natchez Trail and spend a week around New Orleans before heading south into Texas.

Any chance that we might run into you and SacsTC? We would really like that.

[MikeandClaudia]

I checked with T.O. Fuller SP and they said that their campground would indeed be open in October.mw

[danes-on-tour]

Thanks Mike and Claudia

We will take your advice and make a booking at T.O. Fuller SP.

[stegosaurus]

If you have the time you may want to visit Renfro Valley Kentucky. here's a link to a Wikipedia article about music in the region: Music of Kentucky - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You could travel through the area on the way to or from Memphis and Nashville, depending on where you start. Kentucky has some very distinct regions; the Eastern mountain area is the part of KY known for the coal mining and "hillbilly" culture. It is still an area of proud but poor Scots/Irish. The Bluegrass area is home to the rolling hills and horse farms as well as Bourbon distilleries (check out the KY Whiskey Trail). The western part of the state is more like Louisiana and the cypress swamps as well as Land Between the Lakes - an excellent sportsman's paradise between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Finally the northern area where I live borders the Ohio River. It holds the Huck Finn river towns and the early settler landings where the pioneers entered Kentucky and Ohio to explore and settle in the 1700's. This is where Daniel Boone Simon Kenton and Tecumseh once roamed.

There are beautiful areas like Red River Gorge, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area as well as Mammoth Cave and Kentucky Horse Park that you can explore also.

Whether you can come now or make a separate trip later, you won't be disappointed.

Wherever you go, travel safely and have fun!

Steg