I have not been so excited to attend AU in a long time. Welcome to my home state of Tennessee. If you have spoken to me in the past, you will know what to expect by the way you will be greeted with a Southern drawl. You will be called sir or ma’am regularly. This is a courtesy, not a slur as to your age. A man will hold the door for a woman; it is the chivalrous way. Hospitality oozes out of most everyone from the South. We want you to have a good experience in our home.
I want to give you a few hints and hacks to make you feel right at home in Nashville.
Let’s start with a street name that runs right next to the convention center, Demonbreun. The pronunciation is duh-MUN-bree-uhn. Don’t worry about it too much, some people have lived that for years and don’t know how to pronounce it. See me if you want a lesson in this one.
If you don’t have boots, there are several stores on Broadway where you can purchase some. Broadway is the main drag through the part of Nashville we will be in. It is always fun to watch some guys get their first cowboy boots, they walk a little differently when they wear boots.
Y’all can be you, you and one other person, a lot of people, or any number of people. Please do not mess things up with saying You-all. That is an absolute no-no in the south.
If you want a coke, that is any type of soda drink. “What kind of coke do you want,” means which brand. It could be Pepsi, Sprite, or the general “Coca-Cola” as we call it. Diet Coke is different than Diet Pepsi here also.
Southern cuisine is an experience all it’s own. Look for biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, and home-made pies. They are the staples of southern eating. It is hard to find a place that makes any of these poorly.
Now the really big one, Bless your heart. It has gotten a bad reputation in recent years with folks thinking it is a negative phrase. Not always the case. When said about someone having problems or is sick, it is heartfelt and almost like praying for them. If said to you about tripping, or making a mistake it is almost like saying “are you ok?” If said with a huge eye roll, and some dripping sarcasm, you need to figure out what you’ve done.
Lastly, don’t be fooled by the accent. We may talk slow but that does not mean we are not intelligent. We just have a slower way of living in the South and that includes or speech cadence.
Now, if you have some free time in Nashville, let’s talk about a few things to do while you are there. Try to get tickets early for these activities.
The Grand Ol’ Opry
Link: https://www.opry.com/
There are shows most evenings at 7p.m. Tickets run from $150 upwards depending on who is there. They also have deals with tours that are not too much money. It is not near downtown so you will need a ride there.
The Ryman
Link: https://www.ryman.com/
The Ryman has the most iconic stage for country music. A circle of it was cut out to be placed in the Grand Ol’ Opry so they had a touch of Country Music History continuing on there. The history of this place is truly iconic. There are tours and shows held here. The tours and not expensive, mid $30’s to less than $70 apiece. Shows depend on who they are as to the price. It is downtown just a few blocks from the convention center.
The General Jackson Showboat
Link: https://generaljackson.com/
This an event whether you take a lunch or dinner cruise. There is a show onboard to entertain you. I checked the calendar and there were no evening cruises during the conference so don’t be surprised if you get an invitation to a private party on the General Jackson. This is found at the end of Broadway.
The Country Music Hall of Fame
Link: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/
Besides the Hall of Fame, this is also a museum. There are exhibitions, guided tours, and other experiences. During AU, there is a Dolly Parton exhibit going on. It is called Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. General Admission for an adult is $31.95. This one is on my list this trip to Nashville. It is a couple of blocks off Broadway, so walking distance.
The Opryland Hotel
Link: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/overview/?...
https://www.simon.com/mall/opry-mills
I know that first link takes you to the hotel site, but it is a hotel after all. Check out the Opry Mills mall also. To visit the gardens at the hotel, you can go to the Opry Mills mall and park for free. Then you can walk over an take a walk through the gardens with fountains, restaurants, bars, and places to just sit, relax, and have a Mint Julep. Again, it is a drive to get there but those gardens are a beautiful experience.
Bars in Nashville
Link: https://nashvillego.com/activities/guides/all-the-bars-on-broadway-in-nashville-the-complete-guide
Everything from the classic Tootsies Orchid Lounge to Jon Bon Jovi’s place will have music, drink, and food for you to spend your money on. Many of these establishments hold a lot of history of Nashville. Do take note, most of these will be country music. Don’t be fooled by some of the names on them, like Kid Rock. If it says Honky Tonk in the name, it is country.
Tours of Nashville
Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g55229-zfg11873-a_contentId.41026622561+714410115-Na...
That is the best link I have found for tours. You can go by comedy bus, double-decker bus, tractor pulled party wagon, trolley, golf carts, Segway, monster truck, walking, and even haunted hearse. Get your group together and make your reservation early.
One last thing to remember, as with any conference, you must always have your badge for anything related to the conference. Your badge is not necessary when going to the local establishments for food or adult beverages, or just a walking tour. It is best not to advertise that you are a tourist anywhere. You do not want to be singled out as not being a local. Be safe no matter where you are, and bless your heart.
