Oh! What a Night- BFF 185

     A star studded glittering night that will always stand out in my memory was the night my mom and I attended the CMA awards in Nashville, Tennessee.  The day dawned much like any other Thursday on the campus of Belmont University.  I woke early, showered, grabbed my books, and headed for breakfast and then class.  My mom had been in town all week visiting. When my classes were through for the day, she picked me up from my dorm, and spirited me away to the Opryland Hotel where she had a room.  

         Nashville was popping this particular day in anticipation of the CMA award show at the Grand Ole Opry that night, and there was no greater place to be than at the hotel.   My mom picked me up and we headed to one of the great restaurants at the hotel for a late lunch.  We were wandering near the shops in the hotel when a man approached us and said “Hey, would you be interested in going to the awards tonight?  I happen to have a couple tickets if you are interested.”  Does a bear $hit in the woods?  My mom found out how much the tickets were and before I could draw another breath, money exchanged hands and we were going to the award show.

        I had the perfect dress across town at the dorm.  I had been asked to bring a fancy cocktail dress to meet the Dean at a glittering reception at the university’s restored mansion.   My mother always loved to dress to the nines, so for her ensemble for the night we made a quick stop at Nashville’s mall at Green Hills.  Having spent many years touring around the country side with the Oak Ridge Boys, we were fairly familiar with several of the celebrities milling about the hotel.  The night would prove even more thrilling as events played out because our dear friends in the Mighty Oaks Band were nominated, and actually did take home “Band of the Year” that night.

         Not only were we entitled to be in the audience at the show, but our tickets also included the star studded party afterwards at the hotel.  I will never forget the thrill of seeing Lionel Richie perform “Deep River Woman” with Alabama on stage that night.  I grew up singing along with Lionel Richie, and learned several of his songs to perform for choir concerts in high school.  To meet him was an especial thrill I would have never dreamed possible.  I got my chance at the after awards party in the Opryland Hotel grand ballroom.

        After the show, the crowd drifted out of the Grand Ole Opry and strolled along a red carpet that was illuminated by hanging electric candelabra above.  Excitement was in the air and the mood was electric.  The ballroom was filled with country music’s elite and other notable celebrities from the music business.  Tables were filled with fabulous food and ornate ice sculptures with waiters mingling throughout the crowd passing out champagne.  I even met up with several members of the Mighty Oaks Band and was able to extend my heart felt congratulations in person.  The coolest thing about the whole night was getting to see their award up close and personal.

       The party roared on into the night fueled by exuberance.  Unfortunately, Cinderella eventually turned back into a pumpkin and it was rise and shine at the butt crack of dawn for college algebra the next morning.  I will always cherish the memories from that night.  We happened to be in the right place, at the right time with the right amount of money on hand.  Mom always said “Money talks, and bull$hit walks” and on that particular occasion the saying became fact.  Oh, what a night until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.