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Lou Pickney's Online Commentary

Nashville Nights

Saturday
June 15, 2002

Downtown Nashville is one of those refreshingly unique places, with a nightlife that is both lively and different from most any other city. You can experience things there that you just don't see in other places, even in Tennessee.

Having lived in Nashville for the better part of 12 years, I always have an allegance and loyalty to the city. But sometimes familiarity breeds contempt, and time away from Nashville has given me a unique perspective, as a native who sees much of the decidedly Nashville-only elements with both an understanding and an appreciation for what those elements mean to the city.

But give Nashville credit, it has changed and improved in many ways since I left for college in 1995. That thought crossed my mind last night at The Stage, a country/western bar down on Broadway. Matt, Cassandra and I were surrounded by a swarm of spirited people adorned in cowboy hats and blue jeans. The country cover band on stage electrified the crowd, fitting perfectly in the motif. As Matt, Cassandra and I downed a second shot of Goldschlager, I felt both at home and out of place at the same time, with my shaved head and slick purple shirt and black pants. Not that I was getting dirty looks or anything, but a cowboy hat would've helped. And I can't remember the last time I wore a cowboy hat.

But in the past seven years, Nashville's downtown area has experience a renaissance. Second Avenue was on the rise toward the end of my run in town, but post-1995 the boom has been tremendous. Much of that has gone with the improvements that came with the building of the Nashville Arena and Adelphia Coliseum. Nashville is now a full-fledged, "major league" town.

With Fan Fair in town, there's an extra air of electricity going around, the buzz that comes any time excited out-of-towners in for a common theme get together for some nightlife fun. But again, with that twist that you'll only find here. Oh, there's the usual things you'll find anywhere, like the guy who abruptly stopped me on Second Avenue to marvel at my shaved head. One way Nashville is like Starkville is how there aren't many guys with shaved heads here (unlike Tampa, as I've lamented before, where it's almost ridiculous how many guys have the shorn look).

There are some special things Nashville offers. Last night, me, Matt, Cassandra, Jennifer (Michelle from MSU's sister), and Andy and Richard Karg saw a performance at the Bluebird Cafe. Located in Green Hills, the Bluebird is one of those treasures that makes a trip to Nashville unlike any other. The show last night featured four accomplished songwriters sitting facing each other at 90 degree angles. But instead of playing poker around a table, they performed some of the songs that "artists" in the music business played, often times taking them to #1. Richard Karg had been telling me for months that I needed to come see Bluebird, and I'm glad I did. I'm a bit embarassed in hindsight that last night was my first time there -- Bluebird is a haven for world-class songwriting talent and up-and-coming performers.

But this was less of a "country" type show and more of an MTV Unplugged, acoustic performance. Marc Beeson, Angela Kaset, Hugh Prestwood and Chuck Jones took turns playing (and backing one another up) in the setting of the cafe. It was remarkable, as the crowd was respectfully quiet and observant in the intimate setting of the cafe. Beeson and Kaset especially impressed me. Beeson played a song called "I Wouldn't Know" that he wrote that absolutely blew me away. Today I tracked down the recorded version by Shanandoah and enjoyed that version as well. Find that song -- it's worth your effort. But in a business where many songs are shallow or devoid of depth or meaning, it was amazingly refreshing to hear so many well-written and thoughtfully crafted tunes. Plus, hearing the people who wrote them perform them was nice, too. Both Beeson and Kaset should be on the radio with the songs they had last night, and Kaset has the look (and voice) that could help her break through in a major way. If there was a downside, it's that I was so tired from yesterday's sleep deprivation. But it was a fabulous time, not to mention our very lovely waitress named Vonda who is from Tampa who said she'd give me a call when she comes down to Tampa in August.

Tonight should be nice... Meet up with Nick Greco and Brian Costner and who knows who else. Some Saturday night Nashville fun with old school friends. Should be a good time...


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