Hello again…
Before we jump into the first installment in the series, THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE that chronicles my travels and my adventures recording my upcoming album, let me say this:
Feel free to drop me a line at any time at eric@ericmichaelhawks.com with your feedback or questions or just to say “Hi”.
To those who are new arrivals to the fan list, welcome. If you, or anyone here would like to go back and read some of the previous newsletters, I have created an exclusive section called THE WHISKEY HUT where they will be available. For access to this go to http://ericmichaelhawks.com/the-whiskey-hut .
So now here’s Part 1 of THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE
THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE: Part One – Tennessee Night
I was cold and basically shivering sitting on the 2nd story patio of Rippy’s Bar and Grill on the corner of Broadway and 5th Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. Most of the propane heaters scattered around that night were not turned on to keep its patrons warm in the 39 degree Fahrenheit air.
The place was full from top to bottom that Sunday night which would have been uncommon if it wasn’t for all the tourists congregating in town for the 48th Annual CMA Awards being held in just 3 days.
Looking over the balcony I can see that every bar and every inch of sidewalk is shoulder to shoulder of young people trying to get a taste of Nashville…and perhaps see one of its stars. I turn my head to the left and I can see the Bridgestone Center where the awards will be held, a large mega center that houses the Nashville Predators NHL hockey team.
I look dead ahead past Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge where stands the mother church of country music where people like Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Connie Smith, Johnny Cash and so many others once graced the stage of The Grand Ole Opry before changing venues in 1974.
I focus my attention from the Ryman back over to the legendary songwriters hang out….Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. My mind drifts to a time when I wasn’t even born, a time when Tootsie’s was just a hangout for young and aspiring singers and songwriters. Anyone that would stumble through it’s doors on any given night might find any one from Roger Miller to Dottie West, from Faron Young to Patsy Cline, From Kris Kristofferson, to Hank Cochran and on and on and on. Many hit songs came out of that front (and back door).
I take a bite of Rippy’s signature ribs before they get too cold and polish off another glass of Jack Daniels and coke and I kind of laugh at myself, peering down once again on Broadway below me remembering a story about a young and upcoming Willie Nelson. Discouraged at his failed attempts at songwriting and being signed to a contract, Willie walked out of Tootsie’s and laid himself down in the middle of Broadway hoping someone would take him out of his misery. Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away.
Nashville is full of stories like that one where individuals, I’ll say it again, individuals would come to Nashville to live out a dream.
Well there I was at Rippy’s eating ribs, drinking whiskey in the cold Nashville night. I had just flown in from Ottawa with a connection in Toronto before finally touching down at the Nashville International Airport at 5:49PM earlier that night. Drinking alcohol and freezing on a patio is not the smartest thing I was doing as a singer scheduled to be in the studio in the morning to work on his album. But to tell you the truth, reality hadn’t sunk in just yet….I would get hit with both barrels in the morning.
Be sure to read Part 2 in a few weeks where I will step in the studio for the first time. I’ll introduce you to some very talented individuals.
Also, next week I will reveal to you the title of the album…
Cheers
Eric
Before we jump into the first installment in the series, THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE that chronicles my travels and my adventures recording my upcoming album, let me say this:
Feel free to drop me a line at any time at eric@ericmichaelhawks.com with your feedback or questions or just to say “Hi”.
To those who are new arrivals to the fan list, welcome. If you, or anyone here would like to go back and read some of the previous newsletters, I have created an exclusive section called THE WHISKEY HUT where they will be available. For access to this go to http://ericmichaelhawks.com/the-whiskey-hut .
So now here’s Part 1 of THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE
THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE: Part One – Tennessee Night
I was cold and basically shivering sitting on the 2nd story patio of Rippy’s Bar and Grill on the corner of Broadway and 5th Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. Most of the propane heaters scattered around that night were not turned on to keep its patrons warm in the 39 degree Fahrenheit air.
The place was full from top to bottom that Sunday night which would have been uncommon if it wasn’t for all the tourists congregating in town for the 48th Annual CMA Awards being held in just 3 days.
Looking over the balcony I can see that every bar and every inch of sidewalk is shoulder to shoulder of young people trying to get a taste of Nashville…and perhaps see one of its stars. I turn my head to the left and I can see the Bridgestone Center where the awards will be held, a large mega center that houses the Nashville Predators NHL hockey team.
I look dead ahead past Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge where stands the mother church of country music where people like Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Connie Smith, Johnny Cash and so many others once graced the stage of The Grand Ole Opry before changing venues in 1974.
I focus my attention from the Ryman back over to the legendary songwriters hang out….Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. My mind drifts to a time when I wasn’t even born, a time when Tootsie’s was just a hangout for young and aspiring singers and songwriters. Anyone that would stumble through it’s doors on any given night might find any one from Roger Miller to Dottie West, from Faron Young to Patsy Cline, From Kris Kristofferson, to Hank Cochran and on and on and on. Many hit songs came out of that front (and back door).
I take a bite of Rippy’s signature ribs before they get too cold and polish off another glass of Jack Daniels and coke and I kind of laugh at myself, peering down once again on Broadway below me remembering a story about a young and upcoming Willie Nelson. Discouraged at his failed attempts at songwriting and being signed to a contract, Willie walked out of Tootsie’s and laid himself down in the middle of Broadway hoping someone would take him out of his misery. Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away.
Nashville is full of stories like that one where individuals, I’ll say it again, individuals would come to Nashville to live out a dream.
Well there I was at Rippy’s eating ribs, drinking whiskey in the cold Nashville night. I had just flown in from Ottawa with a connection in Toronto before finally touching down at the Nashville International Airport at 5:49PM earlier that night. Drinking alcohol and freezing on a patio is not the smartest thing I was doing as a singer scheduled to be in the studio in the morning to work on his album. But to tell you the truth, reality hadn’t sunk in just yet….I would get hit with both barrels in the morning.
Be sure to read Part 2 in a few weeks where I will step in the studio for the first time. I’ll introduce you to some very talented individuals.
Also, next week I will reveal to you the title of the album…
Cheers
Eric