I'm thoroughly enjoying Fresh Air's country music week, during which Terry Gross is playing old interviews with country greats. Yesterday, I heard Waylon Jennings tell her: "You ask some good questions, girl."
She plays songs as well, mostly classics. I never cared much for country music until a few years ago, when I went to Nashville for the Southern Festival of Books. One night I went to dinner with some people from the Oxford American, and heading back downtown the driver, a local, put on an old Johnny Cash CD. Hearing him and his family sing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" while riding through the nighttime streets of Nashville opened my eyes.
A few months ago I returned to the city and went to the Grand Ole Opry, which was back at the Ryman Auditorium because Opryland had been damaged by the spring flood. The place was packed - Loretta Lynn was on the bill - and the circle remained unbroken.
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Mike, I just checked and saw that Opryland is not due to reopen until November. Next week, I think, the Grand Ole Opry is being held at a Baptist church, then it comes back to the Ryman Auditorium. They do the shows now on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but the original Orpy was every Saturday night. Pauline might enjoy taking a tour of the Ryman, or going to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which has wonderful exhibits and archival films. Also, she should spend a night cruising the honky tonks on Broadway. I like Robert's Western Wear (a clothes store that turned itself into a bar) but they all have good bands, friendly crowds and wonderful atmosphere.
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