Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???

Subject: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: FrankieB
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 03:02 PM

Hey y'all--

I'm gonna be doing a road trip from DC to Nashville and around the Great Smokies in October, and I just wondered if anybody in that area can give me some insider knowledge on the best places to hear bluegrass/old time? I hear the Station Inn in Nashville is a good place-- is that right? Anywhere else a must in the city? Also, does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Nashville to Birmingham?

Much obliged, FrankieB

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: Allan C.
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 04:12 PM

I can't help identify any venues for you Frankie, but you can get a fairly good idea of travel times by using Mapquest.com

Have a good trip!

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 05:04 PM

Nashville to Birmingham is a bit over two hours.

If you're travelling through the Smokies, Western North Carolina is a old timers dream as is East Tennessee.

A must see place is north of Knoxville and called the "Museum of Appalachia." You'll hear music and can probably play along with some if you like. There is no describing the amount of Southern Mountain history that you'll find there.......Trust me, it ain't no Dogpatch kinda' place. Click Here and READ THIS THREAD........Great Place!!! You may be through there during homecoming this year and you'll really here the music!!.....including Mudcat's own Bill Foster and the Foster Family Band. This is not to be missed if you like old-timey music at all and are in the area then!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 05:06 PM

....."here" the music? Ol' Spaw be gettin' real excitable and whup up bad. He DO know better....

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: FrankieB
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 11:00 AM

Thanks for the tips, and if there are anymore, great.

cheers for now, FrankieB

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: TNDARLN
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 11:20 AM

'Spaw's right: Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, TN is a gotta see- Oct 11-14. Lots of regional festivals throughout the east TN/west NC area...'don't know if I'd even fool with N'ville! Also, B'ham to N'ville is at least 3 hours, maybe closer to 4 [it's been awhile since I drove it] For anyone travelin' through the Smokies in October- get reservations ASAP for lodging!! Everyone else will be there too! T

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: TNDARLN
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 11:32 AM

You also might want to check out the John C. Campbell folk school site for the calendar of events- they have a big festival in early October. T

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 11:42 AM

I have only actually been to Nashville once, and for the life of me I can't remember the side of town that I thought had it going on. It's this little artsy district full of music of all kinds. I saw a *wonderful* Irish pub band at a rather large corner pub called "Seanachie". If you can find that, there is much more to be seen in the same vacinity.

Sorry I could not give you more info! :D

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 12:00 PM

Sorry.....TNDARLN is right. I lived in both Nashville and Chattanooga and used to go to Birmingham a lot from Chattanoga....which IS about a teo and a half hour shot. From Nashville it strikes me as being about an hour or more longer, but we lived on the far north side of Nashville which added a bit so I'd say three and a half would be a good estimate.

Also, I do like Nashville, but for Old Timey and Bluegrass, there are so many other places to go that I too would skip it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: GUEST,jugband Scott
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 09:57 AM

Frankie B,

If you're passing through Roanoke, VA on a Wednesday Night there is an old time music jam every Wednesday at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea in downtown Roanoke. It goes from 7-11pm and is open to everyone. We have some great old time fiddlers who keep it going and it is usually a most spirited evening. Come and join the fun.

jugband Scott

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: GUEST,GUEST-just another guest
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 12:52 PM

There is a good fiddlers convention in Athens Alabama(Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention) the first weekend in October--more old-time music the last few years

Subject: RE: Help: tips from Southern 'Catters???
From: Hollowfox
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:46 AM

I hear that the Picking Parlor in Johnson City, TN is good. I don't know which days it's open, but I've known performers who had weekend gigs there.