Tag Archives: flood

A time of rebirth in Nashville

Opryland Hotel, Christmas 2008
Opryland Hotel at Christmas in 2008

This weekend has been a time of rebirth in Nashville. At least to a degree.

In case you missed it, last night, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (link takes you to the episode on Hulu) was the episode about rebuilding the Lighthouse Christian Pre-School. The same one that floated down I-24 on national television. The same one that told everyone that May’s flooding was a lot worse than any of us could have ever fathomed.

I did not have a dry eye the entire episode. They portrayed the very best of Nashville. They portrayed the way the community came together to help one another. WE ARE NASHVILLE they proclaimed at one point… the phrase that became every Nashvillian’s battle cry in the days and weeks following the flood.

Today, Opryland Hotel reopens. Just in time for Christmas. I could NOT be happier to see those lights lit. It’s become a tradition to go see the lights the last five years, and I have no doubt we’ll make our way over there again this year. Especially given the flood and its reopening.

It’s been so strange to go over to that area and see all the parking lots empty. Opry Mills Mall, quite frankly, probably won’t reopen. Oh there’s no official word on that. That’s just me speculating, and I do hope I am wrong. Or I at least hope SOMETHING comes in over there soon. It’s like that last piece of town that so clearly shows the devastation of May. It’s the last little “black eye” left from that fight. It’s the last thing holding the city back any at all. Hopefully something will happen there soon.

In my gut, I feel a renewal coming my way as well, though. I’ve had a lot of my stuff lately being respected and acknowledged. Photos, writing and design stuff. Oh, none of it has made me any money (LOL!), but its still satisfying to receive the recognition. And it feeds into my feeling that there’s change in the air.

I told my husband today that I have the urge to rearrange the office. Just, move the desks around. Maybe hang a couple of the posters I’ve designed in place of photographs in there. Something.

We’re entering the holiday season, and there’s good things in the air. Watching this little rebirth within Nashville has given me hope. It’s like a light is starting to shine, even if only a little bit, at the end of a long tunnel.

Show Stories — Grand Ole Opry

OpryLast night, the Grand Ole Opry returned home to the Opry house after the May floods.I watched the show on GAC along with thousands of other Country Music fans. My heart literally swelled with joy to see that stage and the circle and all those Opry greats on stage together for one huge homecoming night.

I can not wait to get to go and see all the changes and work that was done to bring it back home myself.

[Start rant.]

First off — I have to say this. I felt a deep anger when on my twitter feed I saw a hand full of people complain that its just a big tourist trap. Non-country fans even said during the flood that they were glad to see the Opry “go.”

Statements like that are ones that fall under, “If you don’t understand it… just shut up.” (TM – Me) Its up there with people who give me crap about being an Aggie. Some things are deeply personal. The Opry is deeply personal and revered by country music fans, artists and musicians. You don’t have to like it or understand it, but you need to respect that it means a LOT to people. A. LOT. And statements like those, are hurtful, spiteful, uncalled for and simply show an ignorance. So again. Just… shut up.

[End rant. ]

It’s been amazing to see the Opry  not miss a single performance post-flood. Thanks to the many venues around town that hosted the show the last five months, music fans could still see this wonderful show that brings the past, present and future of country music together in one place.

I remember the first time I got to go backstage at the Opry. I was in awe. I’d toured it with a tour group previously, but there is a different electricity in the air during the show.

I found a strange irony when I realized I was wearing the high heels I’d bought to wear to my senior prom, and they clicked on the asphalt parking long, down the sidewalk and then into the building. Ever since then, any time I’ve had the opportunity it go to the Opry (be it at the Opry House or the Ryman), I still go with a hushed respect for the history the Opry carries.

Joe Diffie on the OpryI’ve had the honor of meeting so many country greats that I know my parents and even my grandparents followed back in the day. I sometimes have to remind myself not to go all “fan girl” on them!

You can almost feel the ghosts of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Porter Wagner walking those halls along side you. You can see the excitement and nervousness of those getting ready to take the stage.You can see the awe in the eyes of the new artists taking the stage for the very first time.

Ironically, a week or two before the flood, my husband played the Opry. We stood outside the bus and watched the sky churn grey to black to green with spring storms. We prayed there were no tornadoes in the area, all the while clueless to the fact that in a few short days, the area where we stood would be deep under water.

The footage of the Opry underwater made so many people just sick to their stomachs. Tears were shed over it. The people who say things like  I  mentioned in my rant above could never understand what that stage means to so many. There’s a respect and love that comes from the Grand Ole Opry. There are no words created to accurately describe the feelings people have for it.

It was those same feelings that brought such joy last night as those curtains parted and the show began. The circle of wood from the Ryman floor back in its place. Country greats standing on that stage singing, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Because amazingly enough… the circle was never broken. The show went on to eventually come back home.

Welcome home, Opry. Welcome home.