January 27, 2004
WELCOME TO MUSIC CITY U.S.A.
Consider this an apology for a lack of posts recently, but I was in Nashville the past two days filling young skulls full of mush with delusions of journalism grandeur.
That said, I had a great time in Tennessee. I only got to go out on the town on a foggy and damp Sunday night, but I still got to see a little bit of night life.
You can tell a lot about a place by the tchochkes they sell in their tourist traps. As you can see The King is still very much alive in Nashville.
I know, I know, Elvis was a Memphis boy. But when you're The King, the whole state embraces your visage. And so do jet-lagged tourists.
I knew Elvis had made a fortune and was now in a box. I didn't know E was now reduced to telling fortunes from a box.
If Elvis trinkets aren't your speed, you can still find a few collectibles from a little scuffle from a while back. And you can pick up a tacky-but-quaint mini-license tag for the kids back home. One question: isn't anyone just named Joe anymore?
Alas, not every Nashville landmark was open. The Ernest Tubb Record Shop turned in early that night, but it still left the light on for us.
Tomorrow: Good eats at Monell's.
You haven't lived until you've experienced the candlelight vigil during Elvis' "Death Week" in August. Thanks to our local newscasters, those afraid of any impending weather can be sure to get the festivities' hourly updates without leaving the comfort of their Velvet Elvis, green shag carpet, jungle room replica homes.
"Elvis tchochke" purchased in 1991 for my college roommate: penny inside a 2 inch tall bottle (mini-cork included) with Elvis stamped on the outside. And you thought Florida had some of the worst crap in souvenir shops...HA!!!
Posted by: Charlotte at January 28, 2004 11:55 AM