I left Des Moines with the intention of spending St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Wisconsin.
My plans were to have a Wisconsin fish fry, a great breakfast at Franks Diner in Kenosha and enjoy some St. Pat’s shenanigans.
I got as far as Dubuque.
What happened was a spontaneous adventure. I went to Tennessee instead.
Outside the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. (Photo courtesy John Naughton.)
What changed my mind? I was driving through eastern Iowa Friday night and happened to tune in to WSM-AM radio (650, one notch from Iowa Public Radio 640-AM).
A broadcaster from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville crooned, “Tomorrow night is the 50th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets are still available…”
My reaction: “What? The legendary Grand Ole Opry? A once-in-a-lifetime event? In a city I love to visit?”
At Dubuque, my wheels turned south.
An all-star cast of country musicians on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville. (Photo by John Naughton.)
I booked a ticket, parking and a hotel room. And I was on my way south.
Such is the nature of a truly spontaneous trip. And although I didn’t end up using a lot of my green hats, Mardi Gras beads and assorted other St. Patrick’s gear, I had a great time.
In order to make such a trip happen, you need to have a few things in place:
*You have to be willing to make the commitment.
*You need to have the means and the opportunity. (I did require an oil change on this drive, but I made it happen.)
*There may be some sacrifices, since you can’t be in two places at once. (See you next time, Wisconsin, sorry.)
A band plays at one of the many music clubs on Broadway in Nashville. (Photo by John Naughton.)
The 50th anniversary show was great. It was a special event, for sure. I’d never been to the Grand Ole Opry and although I was familiar with many of the country music performers, I’d hardly seen any of them live.
The list included Bill Anderson, Clint Black, Crystal Gayle, the Del McCoury Band, the Gatlin Brothers and Riders in the Sky. Three members of the lineup were on the stage in 1974: Anderson, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely.
I visited Broadway — one of America’s great entertainment streets — to hear live music from several bands on Saturday and Sunday. “Music City” is alive and well, and getting bigger all of the time.
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