Saturday, April 21, 2012

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.



16 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, that would be quite a night! I love that hotel. My daughter lives 10 or 15 mins from it and we always try to get there for the Christmas lights and decorations. It's magnificent! But I have never been to any award show nor to the Opry. How wonderful for you and your mom. ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo, I think I have only been there once since my mom died in 1993. Seems like such a long time ago!! She was thrilled. We also managed to get to go to the fan voted Music City News Award Show, which later became known as the CMT Awards. That was thrilling too, but since that was fan voted it didn't include any glitzy parties. The same year of the CMA's we were there for the ASCAP's as well which were held at the hotel for the songwriters. To think I could have gotten into the workings of the music business and had all that an integral part of my life. I took the other path, which led me to where I am now. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.

      Delete
  2. This has to be one of the most amazing fairy tale dream come true stories that I have ever heard. How fabulous that you had such an amazing time with your mom and can relive those memories together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, I have wonderful memories of my mom as she lived each day as if it were her last. One day it was her last and I was always happy she had memories like this one to cherish. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.

      Delete
  3. How exciting! You surely do have bragging rights to that story! Great blog and I'm so glad you shared that with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darlene, it was a great night, and honestly the only one I could really think of when presented with this challenge. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.

      Delete
  4. It is a cool place. We live in Memphis so have made the trek down the highway.


    Catch My Words
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce, I have never been to Memphis, but always wanted to go. My roommate at Belmont was from Memphis, and that was probably as close as I ever got. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!

      Delete
  5. WOW! What fun!!!! And great memories too!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoJo, it really was fun. I have really awesome memories from that time period in my life. If I wasn't so lazy I would have went to the attic to dig for the pictures that went with that night. UGH. Wasn't feeling it with a head cold. :D Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.

      Delete
  6. Wow. Loved reading your post. What a great memory you have of that special time with your mom. I love country music and I am in NYC and it is not as popular here as it used to be. I dream to go to Nashville someday..I am going to see Vince Gill on May 3rd..I am stoked... Thanks for sharing your outing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Winnie, You will have such a great time!! Vince Gill puts on a great show!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥

      Delete
  7. WOW -- such a great time!! Thanks for sharing your memories, loved it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty, thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed the retelling of my memories.

      Delete
  8. I went to the awards in the early 90's!! I won it off a radio station here in Cow-town!! And I met Reba!! OH I am sure I have already shared that with you!! We also stayed at the Opryland hotel and I had the pleasure to return to it at least 2 more times that year!! I loved Nashville in general, but really--that night was super spectacular. Of course, I didn't get to see any awards up close--but meeting Reba was highlight enough for me!!

    Cheers, Jenn
    http://www.wine-n-chat.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn, from your comments I get that you had the same kind of experience I did. It was just a magical night of awesomeness!! If I wasn't so lazy I would have went up to my attic and dug through my mom and dad's millions of pictures and found pictures of the dress from that night, and that picture of my dear friend Dewey Durrough, the sax player at the time of the Mighty Oaks Band holding his newly won award outside the Grand Ole Opry. Very cool, but...I am lazy and even though I know those pictures are up there in a box SOMEWHERE, I just didn't want to spend the better share of the day and night trying to locate them. One of these days, I will when it is not colder than a witch's tit in the Klondike or hotter than the blazes of hell up there!! The whole attic needs reorganized in a major way. I won't think about that NOW though!! LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your entertaining comments!! ♥

      Delete