Nashville with a 19 year old

I’m going to be surprising my 19-year-old musician daughter with a trip for the two of us to Nashville in a few weeks. What are places you recommend that I go with her? Restaurants, clubs… she says that she eventually wants to move there, so I really want to show her the music scene, but I’ve never been there. Is she even going to be allowed in the clubs as she’s under age?Thanks!

I have been to Nashville several times, always enjoying myself. To be honest, I haven’t been there in at least ten years, so things might have changed.

There are tons of honkytonks on Broadway.. I think they all have music going on. I don’t know the status of underage visiting these places. We would go to a different one each day, Some have a different band in each room,, it is nuts.

Probably the most famous honkytonk is Tootsies on Broadway. Supposedly musicians would leave the Ryman side door & go in the back door of Tooties & have a few drinks between sets.

You should visit the Ryman Theater, of course. When we were visiting, the Ryman was used for the Grand ol’ Opry in the winter. As weather got better with more visitors the Opry would move to the newer & much larger, Grand Ol’ Opry. We preferred the Ryman, it is smaller. I would buy tickets in advance. We were able to sit in the second row one time, it was great.

You can take back stage tours of the Ryman & Opry.. that was fun

There is The Station Inn that I have seen online. They seem to have a lot of name stars performing. I have never been there. It also looks to be off the beaten path.

Have a great time down there!

Robert's Western World - Home of traditional country music

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I hear the Western Edge exhibit is really good.

What are your dates? I'll tell you what shows I'd go see. Although I lean more traditional/Americana and I don't know anything about the stuff that's played on the radio.

The January 10 lineup at the Opry looks good to me.

I'd go see The War and Treaty with the Nashville Symphony (several dates in January). If you're not familiar with them, here they are performing Chris Stapleton's "Cold" at the Academy of Country Music 2023 Awards. They played a big role in breaking down the color barrier in country music. 

Enough for now! I'm full of opinions on the subject.

kthnry said:

Robert's Western World - Home of traditional country music

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I hear the Western Edge exhibit is really good.

What are your dates? I'll tell you what shows I'd go see. Although I lean more traditional/Americana and I don't know anything about the stuff that's played on the radio.

The January 10 lineup at the Opry looks good to me.

I'd go see The War and Treaty with the Nashville Symphony (several dates in January). If you're not familiar with them, here they are performing Chris Stapleton's "Cold" at the Academy of Country Music 2023 Awards. They played a big role in breaking down the color barrier in country music. 

Enough for now! I'm full of opinions on the subject.

Thank you! We get there late a Jan 9 and leave Jan 12.

andreamms said:

Thank you! We get there late a Jan 9 and leave Jan 12.

For such a short trip, I would definitely get tickets for either the 1/10 or 1/11 Opry show at the Ryman, and also do the tour. Both shows feature big-name female artists (Kelsea Ballerini and Ashley McBryde vs. Lainey Wilson). You might casually strike up a conversation with your daughter about women in country music and what artists she likes and see if she mentions any of those names. 

Are you a fan of Steve Earle? He's performing on 1/11 but I'm not sure he would appeal to a 19-year-old girl. Me, I still prefer the 1/10 lineup. I'm a big fan of Hayes Carll. Old Crow Medicine Show is great. They're performing both nights. 

On the other night, I would start at Robert's, then just explore the town.

I'd love to see this show on 1/9, but you might not get into town on time. Also depends on if your daughter likes folk/bluegrass music. I don't know if she wants to see shows or just check out the scene. 

Thanks for this chance to travel vicariously! Just to establish my country music cred, here's the show I went to night before last. Yeah, it got a little rowdy.