Review

So after reading about just a few of the incredible experiences I have had music wise that have changed me, don;t forget to go out of your way sometime and have your own experience sometime, I promise it will change you forever.

There truly are no words to express how much music means to me, and how much it really can change your view of just about anything, Let it be love to drag you there, let it be heartbreak, let it be a moment of vulnerability, or just a spontaneous idea to let yourself go for a while and enjoy yourself, let it be whatever it may be draw you to this musical experience of  a lifetime. But whatever you do, don't pass it up.

Music shapes us more than we know, don't deny it. Don't believe me? Go ahead and try it and find out for yourself, I promise whatever the experience is, it won't let you down.

The Opry

Okay, so while I'm on the subject of being a little bit off the subject (of my blog that is) I decided to share another musical experience, which happened on the same week of Beale Street believe it or not.

Now we are in Nashville Tennessee, at the ever so famous Grand Ole Opry. We had originally just stopped there too look around (or that's what my parents told me). One Direction happened to be in town that week so there were a good amount of people walking around, trying to soke in the experience that hundreds of thousands had before them. My favorite part of that day wasn't taking a picture in front of the guitars though, it was the shocking announcement my dad made before we left, we were going back that night to see a show, specifically featuring Carrie Underwood and Trace Adkins.

That night we went out to eat before the show, and boy are the restaurants in Tennessee different than any other place in the country. The way people talk to you and the accents thrown out are an experience in themselves. After we went to eat and enjoyed a rather bitter sweet discussion with our waiter, we were off to see the Opry show.

That night the show just happened to be one that was going to be broadcasted all over the world, and how incredible it was to hear the roar of the crowd and see the ever so famous "On Air" sign light up bright, just as it has ever since the Opry first began. Seeing the circle from the original Opry stage was one of the most breathtaking moments of my life, and knowing that I get to preform there in just one short year (for show choir nationals) made the moment even more incredible.

I remember Carrie sharing that the Opry was home to all of the existing country singers and all that came before them and between that and knowing that every country performer EVER has preformed on that stage made me realize how special of a place it really was. 

That night Sam Hunt had his first ever performance at the Opry, and I have never seen a famous person more nervous in my life, what and incredible experience it was to see just how important this really was to all that take the stage. Even Carrie said that she still gets nervous walking on that stage, knowing all of those that had come before her. Wow.

After the show, we walked through the gift shop and I got a pin for my Happiness jacket and a coffee mug that said "The Grand Ole Opry" on it. I will never forget how it felt to even walk through the gift shop. You could feel how important it was to that of many incredible people, and how much of a home it really is. No matter how many hundreds, thousands, millions, billions of people that walk through it, it will never lose it's value. And that alone, is truly inspiring. 

Beale Street

Now, I know this isn't one of my normal posts and it doesn't exactly fit the description of my blog title. But it is a "musical experience" I want to share so, close enough.

Beale Street, Memphis Tennessee. Sounds like just another place a car drives down or people walk by, but it is so much more. In fact, no people can drive down it because it is too much of a tourist attraction. There you will find BB Kings, where some of the most famous Blues singers have played. There you will find some of the greatest undiscovered talent playing on the corner. There you will find Blues groups playing their music empty grassy spaces between restaurant or shops. But most importantly, there you will find soul. 

Walking down that road for the first time, made me feel like a changed person (as weird as that sounds). It takes you back in time, where people share a deep passion for Blues and no one is afraid to get up and dance and enjoy themselves. Being surrounded by such positivity totally changes your outlook on life, and just for a little while get away from any negativity of your world.

I remember going into BB Kings and sitting down, listening to an amazing undiscovered talent singing with his guitar alone. I remember sitting down and seeing smiles on every single persons face that sat in that restaurant. Even biting into one of the best rack of ribs I have EVER tasted changed my experience. By the time we left we had talked to the waitress who told us that Elvis had preformed on the very stage we were sitting next too, and we had bought the CD of the man (Will Tucker) who had been preforming the night we were there.

As we walked down the street we stopped at tons of shops, some antique, some tourist inspired, but nonetheless all unique in it's own way. I remember stopping and watching a Blues group preforming and seeing people getting up and dancing, sharing their happiness with everyone around them, what a sight. We also stopped and listened to a man with a simple pair of drum sticks and a bucket, and man, he was one of the best drummers I have ever laid eyes on.

All of this happened within a few hours, but changed my look of music forever. It's incredible to see how much music can bring people together, take you back in time, or spread joy right within the moment. I will never forget Beale Street, and hope to go back again one day. If there is anything I have learned in my short experience there it's that no matter how lost you are in the world, you will always be able to find yourself back on Beale Street.