Here’s some behind the scenes skinny from our little Retro Roadfamily. Though you know him as Retro Roadhusband, and I know him as my dearie, boo boo, partner in crime, and love of my life, he is – is in real life, musician, singer, songwriter, producer Cliff Hillis.
(He’s the cutie in the middle, wearing his Retro Roadmap tee shirt!)
He is n the final stages of getting his latest CD/album/collection of songs ready to release and if all goes as planned, when this post posts, he should be in Nashville TN mixing his songs with his fave producer Brad Jones.
(I’m a bit jealous that he’s down there without me, as we had such a fun time in Music City last year, but I’m consoling myself with the fact that we leave on Monday to go to California.)
While he’s down there I’ve asked RRH to do some Retro Roadmapping if he gets a break from the studio.
Do you have any suggestions for him?
We there last year for 1 day+ and here’s what we covered:
- Hatch Show Prints ( we got the poster shown above there, and is hanging in the entryway to the Hacienda!)
- Silver Threads at Robert’s Western World – with Rich Gilbert, who I totes remember from living in Boston.
- Union Station Hotel that used to be a train station
- The Elliston Place Soda Shop – that almost closed right after we visited, but luckily it’s still open!
- Ernest Tubb Record Shop – “Be Better to your Neighbors, and You’ll have better Neighbors”
- The Station Inn to see the Time Jumpers– what talent! What popcorn!
- Arnold’s Restaurant – most delicious lunch ever AND John Baeder prints spotted there!
- William Eggleston exhibit at the Frist Museum which used to be a cool old post office
- And I picked up some cool items at a vintage shop right near Brad’s studio but danged if I can remember the name.
The only place I know I wish we went to when we were there- but it was closed that day – is the Omni Hut – a “tiki” place that’s been around since 1960, in Smyrna TN:
Whew! We did pack a lot into that visit, but what Retro Roadmap worthy things did we miss?
Let me know and I’ll give him a list! When he’s not making swell music that is 🙂
Matt Smallwood
May 9, 2012 at 1:40 pmNow, I gotta hang my head in shame. Just kidding. I lived in Nashville for almost a year in the late 90s, Betty. I went to the Station Inn for a show, but none of the other places. I am a big fan of old timey country and bluegrass music. Sigh, I was poor and unadventurous.
Mod Betty
May 10, 2012 at 3:58 amMatt – this may come as a surprise to you, but Nashville is still there. Don’t beat yourself up, there’s still plenty of time to go there, and none of what we did “costed a lot” so you’ll be fine!
Grant Goggans
May 10, 2012 at 4:53 amRotier’s Restaurant is just down the street from Elliston Place Soda Shop, and I think you’ll find it has the atmosphere that you’re always looking for. Plus the burgers are pretty good, too!
Mod Betty
May 10, 2012 at 5:12 amGrant – you know, that just might be the place that Brad recommended to Cliff- OOPS I mean Retro Roadhusband 😉 I’ll definitely pass on your recommendation – thanks a bunch!
Hotsy Malone
May 10, 2012 at 11:12 amCheck out Bobby’s Idle Hour on 16th Avenue South, Katy K’s Ranch Dressing on 12th. If he’s here on a Tuesday he can go check out Billy Block’s Western Beat Show at the Rutledge, local and out of state talent, who knows he may play it one day!
Mod Betty
May 10, 2012 at 11:20 amHotsy- I’ll be passing along your recommendations, and adding them to my map for the next time we’re both down there. Thanks for the tips!
Dusty
May 11, 2012 at 6:53 pmI would say that the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-see and the men’s washroom in the basement of the Hermitage Hotel by the Capitol Grill. The food is amazing at the Grill.
Mod Betty
May 11, 2012 at 9:56 pmdusty – thanks for the tips! I’ll make sure he gets em! Any anyplace he doesn’t get to this time ’round means we have to go there the next time we BOTH go there 🙂
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