Nashville Tennessee Living

CMA Music Festival - Nashville TN - Thursday to Sunday June 10-13, 2010

The CMA Music Festival brings Country Music lovers to Downtown Nashville from near and far. There are 4 days of free concerts and activities. The evening concerts are just $30/night or you can buy the package for $110-$155. Buying the package gives visitors access to the Greased Lighting Fan Fair Hall, at the Nashville Convention Center, where fans can meet their favorite performers and get autographs.

Years ago most people knew this as Fan Fair. It started in 1972 with just 5000 people attending. Last year, 2009, there were over 56,000 people each day! This is one of the few venues where Stars actually rub elbows with their fans in mass. Visitors can follow the schedule of events on-line or can get the latest updates on their mobile phones by texting the word SCHEDULE to 66937.

Watch this clip by Laura Bell Bundy. It's a little long but full of all the information you'll need and a good bit of humor!

Some Highlights include:

THE JUDDS kick off the party at 10am on Thursday at Riverfront Park. Not performing as a duo since 1991 this is an event not to be missed!

Taylor Swift will host a free 13 meet and greet at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

Josh Turner will have a dance contest from 2-3pm also on Thursday in the Family Zone.

Celebrity Bull Riding at Noon on Sunday at the 5th Avenue Plaza Stage.

And you can see: Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, the list just keeps going.

This year 50% of the proceeds will go to Flood Relief.

Summer in Nashville Tennessee - Fun things to do in Nashville that won't bust your budget!

With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer has officially started here in Nashville, like most places around the country. The pools are open, the kids are out of school and the weather is balmy!

Summer in Nashville doesn't have to bust your budget either. One just has to look around to keep themselves busy. There is truly something for everyone. I'm kind of a park person so I'll start this series here. If you're more into Cultural events or sports, we'll cover that too! Just check back.

The following are some popular outdoor things to do:

Nashville Farmers Market on Eighth Avenue North in Downtown Nashville is open everyday of the week. Shop for fresh produce or flowers. Unfortunately only the shed is open at this time but while you're there, walk over to Bicentennial Mall. Parts of it are still closed due to the flood, but you can still visit the walkway.

Franklin Farmers Market located at the back of the Factory on the corner of Franklin Road and Liberty Pike. Open every Saturday from 8am to 1pm. You can expect to find Organic vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses and LIVE Music each week!

Nashville Parks and Recreation offers several areas of the city to participate in great outdoor, and some indoor, activities.

Starting in the east one finds Stone River Greenway. It has a trail head at the Kohls on Lebanon Road and at the Percy Priest Dam just off Stewart's Ferry Pike. One can bike, walk or run on the paved walkway that runs along the Stone River. It mostly shady and very enjoyable on a hot day.

Two Rivers Park has a skate park. It also connects to the greenway where you can cross over the Cumberland on the pedestrian bridge to Shelby Bottoms. Located off Briley Parkway near Opry Mills.

Try Warner Parks if you just want a good hike. Located at Hwy 100 and Old Hickory Blvd in the south west part of Nashville. You can access Percy Warner there or at the end of Belle Meade Blvd. Edwin Warner Park is on the southern side of Old Hickory. The Nature Center is visible and accessible from Hwy 100. Picnic shelters and play areas are accessed from Vaugns Gap. They have a full calender of events.

Head to the Beach. No I don't mean drive to the Gulf. For a small entry fee most of the lakes have beach accesses. The best way to find one near you is to check out their websites. Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest.

Then if you want more excitement, you can head to Nashville Shores over on Percy Priest Lake. They have water slides, a new wave pool, and all kinds of water toys.

If sand isn't your thing, you can try Metro Park Community Pools. There are 10 different pools run by the park service. Some are indoor, open all year round, others outdoor only. Some offer swim lessons and most are free entrance.

Well that's a good start. ENJOY!

I love the holidays and the events surrounding them. People often ask me what things to do in Nashville when they're here for a short stay. I usually say act like you live here! Here are a couple of things I reccommend to do if you live in the Nashville Tennessee area.         

 My all time favorite show to see each year is Christmas at the Ryman with Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Just being at the Ryman, as we call it here in Nashville, is a treat. At over 100 years old, it's one of Nashville's favorite sites and used to be the full time home to the Grand Ole Opry! Shows are Sunday and Monday December 22 & 23.

Don't forget to slip out to World Famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge!

Then, there's the holiday tradition of Handel's Messiah. Performed this year at the still new Schermerhorn Symphony Center Dec 18-20. The Hallelujah chorus itself is enough to get me there! All performances begin at 8pm.

Finally, for 2 perfomances only on Sunday, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will play at the Sommet Center in Downtown NashvilleTN. Their 30 piece ensemble includes a full orchestra, a rock band and 9 lead singers! A narrator will walk you through an original Christmas Story, The Lost Christmas Eve, written by Paul O'Neill, the founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Be safe and enjoy the Weekend!!