Music Cities Of Tennessee USA

Nashville and Memphis For a Giant Musical Experience

These two great cities are within a drive of each other – and their musical styles could not be more different. Check out the cheap flights to Memphis or Nashville and get to see two of the biggest and best music cities in the world.

Nashville

Nashville is the home of Country and Western Music and every summer the biggest country music event in the world, is hosted by the Country Music Association. Over the four days, there are music events all over the town, running nearly every hour of the day. You’ll find the big names of country singing there together with new, up and coming bands, which have a fresh approach to the music and the range of sound and interpretation is very wide. The Appalachian mountain songs sit alongside the saccharine sweet and predictable lyrics of songs that people strut their stuff to in line dancing! But there’s room in this town for everyone and the big gig is a memorable event.

You can visit the Ryman Auditorium, which is the original home of the Grand Ol’ Opry, otherwise known as “Mother Church” of country music. The Country Music Hall of Fame set in a modern building, houses more information on Country Music than the most ardent fan can absorb. Old films, records, and memorabilia are everywhere, together with interactive displays – it’s a great museum and anything you want to know about your favourite musicians and singers is here. Try out the Wild Horse Saloon for great live music, and visit Andrew Jackson’s historical home, The Hermitage, a gracious old mansion. A great venue for live music is one of the giant paddle boats moored in the harbour or take a boat ride on the beautiful General Jackson Showboat. Nashville has a professional, up market feel – its slick, organised, and squeaky clean.

Memphis

It’s sister city, Memphis, is gritty and has a history of rhythm and blues – its home to Sun Records – and Sun promoted the greats of the new Rock and Roll, such as Johnny Cash, an untamed Jerry Lee Lewis and of course, Elvis Presley.

Elvis turned up at the tiny Sun Recording Studio, wanting to make a record for his Mother…..he was heard and unique voice and attitude was launched. A visit to Grace land is jaw dropping – the style and taste are debatable, but as an experience, it’s great! Beale Street is a the perfect spot for a bit of live music – there are bars all the way along this stretch of road, and there is still B B Kings Blues Club to hear fresh sounds and enjoy some local cuisine.

You can try out the fried catfish, spicy gumbo, cornbread, whiskey cake and of course, Barbecue – not the luke warm concoction we are used to, but dishes made with prime beef and pork in mouth wateringly rish and piquant sauces. For the biggest experience in Country Music, keep an eye out for bargain airline tickets to Memphis, which handles a lot of international flights and hear the best in blues and country music in one trip!