As I drove home from Nashville early this morning...this time...I felt a bit lost. Mixed emotions... I have so many friends in Nashville I didnt even get to see...but it would take a week to visit them all and be able to spend the time I want to with them...and now? Now...for many...our foundation, our home, OUR Fiddle has had to shut her doors due to big money running the show. I guess I just always thought that it would be there because it has become such a staple to that town and all. I spent my last night in town with my buddy Marc Howett. We had a great time...but suggesting a visit to The Fiddle & Steel was no longer an option. It was so nice to have somewhere to go where it wasnt always overcrowded with tourists etc. Some of my favorite times to go was during the off season! Dont get me wrong...I know how invaluable tourism is to any establishment trying to keep the doors open...but...it was OUR Cheers in a lot of ways. Where everybody knows your name and it was cozy...and you were made to feel like you mattered. Then...on my drive home...my thoughts drifted towards those that are still in Nashville. I felt so bad for some. I was one of those struggling artists once. For almost a decade I scraped by chasing a dream there and lived off of my share of the pickle jar. One of the end results of this endeavour was, more often then not, being too financially challenged to go home for the holidays and often...years on end... Every year I was there Alison had huge Thanksgiving spreads and opened her home to musicians, friends and family alike. Maybe it didnt take away the blues of not being with your family but it helped you set aside that sadness if only for a few hours. Then, of course, there were the Christmas decorating parties and the Christmas party itself. The white elephant gifting was fun and for some might be the only thing they got for Christmas...now? Even thats gone...for what? A hotel and a boutique? These big money progressives have potentially ruined a lot for some...just really sad... Whats next? The Ryman?
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 05:09:38 +0000
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