Destination: Nashville
by James Langford

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When we got there she was usually watching a local TV country/western show. I think the name may have been something like Midwestern Hayride. Then at 8:00 we would watch the Grand Ole Opry with her. She loved the Opry.

If your customers truly want an American Experience, send them to Nashville.

And the reason you send them to Nashville is to attend the Grand Ole Opry. At least once. There is nothing like it. The first producers of the Grand Ole Opry literally wrote the book on presentation, timing, staging and entertainment.

Nashville is a large part of this country’s heritage, because of the music it generated and the celebrities it created.

The Gaylord Entertainment Group, which started as a group of radio and TV stations, struck a gold mine when they purchased the rights to Opryland. The Opryland Hotel, which Gaylord built north of Nashville, is not to be believed. The craziest thing is it is so easy to get there. It is right off the interstate, there is plenty of parking, and the staff is so friendly you hear yourself saying things like “no, I’m okay, and the meal was wonderful … yes, the wine was fantastic … the soufflé was delicious and so is the coffee by the way … the eggs and sausage were absolutely perfect … and I do have plenty of chocolate sauce on my sundae, but thank you for asking.”

The only thing you have to get used to is … it is huge. And by huge, I mean HUGE!

The last time my wife and I were there she had flown in early to do a site inspection for a trade show. When I arrived that night it literally took me between 15 and 25 minutes to find our room. Of course it was 10:30 p.m., I was tired, not thinking clearly, it was about 31 degrees outside and I was just a wee bit stressed.

However, the next morning I awoke to what man can achieve. And, it is awesome!

I brewed some coffee, opened our balcony door and just looked. It was freezing outside, and I was looking at green acreage inside. If your clients choose to stay there, they will love it.

It is definitely unique.

They will discover nine acres of indoor gardens, walkways, streams, riverboats, restaurants, boutiques, shops, nightclubs, and entertainments galore. And, it is a family place. Children love it, whether it is summer or winter outside, it always is fun inside.

Stop number two in Nashville is the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman is the soul of the Opry. It always was and always will be. The Ryman was constructed originally as a church. It hosted the Opry from 1943 to 1974. It is old, quaint and beautiful. This building, my friends, is where you find the religion of this country. The voices will haunt you.

The first time I visited the Ryman I just went up to the back row in what would be known as the balcony and sat down in a seat. I thought of “Mom” Price and those Saturday evenings many years ago. The memories of the music just flowed through my head.

Patsy Cline falling to pieces. Hank Williams. Does anyone still remember Roy Acuff. Then, there was Minnie Pearl just being Minnie Pearl. A young Grandpa Jones being an old man. Tex Ritter, John’s dad. A young man, by the name of Johnny Cash, talking you through a song. Brenda Lee breaking the audio operator’s eardrums. That young lady could really belt out a song.

It is amazing the number of places throughout the United States that truly define who we are as a people. Nashville is one of those places.

When you find them, sometimes, it is like taking a bath. You can soak in the history that is there or in the memories they create. For me, just sitting in the Ryman Auditorium, because of those Saturday nights spent with a sweet old lady who was infirm, dying and who loved me and my siblings, gave me the opportunity to reflect and remember and appreciate all the generations who had come before me. They all had a hand in my creation. That afternoon I thanked them all.

Then of course, at night, there is the Wild Horse Saloon just down the street from the Ryman. You can line dance there all night long … and if you’re rusty, you can even get instruction.

I love Tennessee. It is beautiful. The rolling hills just make me want to climb on a horse and ride forever. The limestone foundation is great for the growth of plants and grasses. But you have to remember that it is an area formed by the geology of the earth. State lines were created by man. Nature created the world, and a lot of the impact you get in Tennessee you also will find in Kentucky and Georgia. As residents of Florida, we constantly joke that once you’re north of Orlando, you truly are in Georgia.

If you send your clients to Nashville, you must tell them to reserve at least one day for the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art. Even one day is not enough to thoroughly enjoy everything that is there.

Approximately nine miles from downtown Nashville, there were 10 separate gardens the last time I was at Cheekwood, about four years ago. You wander at your leisure, you enjoy the smells and the sights, and suddenly, before you know it, the sun is descending.

We had to come back for a second day for the Museum of Art. As with every art museum they have a permanent collection and then special, temporary exhibitions. You can access their web site for your clients for the 2006 schedule. But, if they appreciate art, they won’t be disappointed whenever they go.

There are many things to do in Nashville. If you stick with southern cooking, the food is excellent. It is fattening, creamy and built on the premise that we have to plow the south 40 today. They also have salads that are delicious because the makins’ are fresh. I’m not going to recommend any restaurants because they are all good.

And then there is Vanderbilt University. Founded in 1873, it is worth a stroll through the grounds to just enjoy the architecture and the campus. I sometimes think we forget to enjoy the things we have at our fingertips. A walk across the campus of a university may sound frivolous. It is not. It is calming, enjoyable and a great way to spend an hour or two.

Plus, the restaurants around the university are always a pleasure.

Nashville is a delightful experience your clients will thank you for.

Jim Langford is the president of the Pharmer Group, a communications consulting firm based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.