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 theOpryland Hotel where she had a room.
Nashville was popping this particular day in anticipation of the CMA award show at theGrand 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.
Recently I was awarded the “Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award” from November Rain at Bloggit Write. A big heart felt thank you for thinking of me! I am honored! The time has come for me step up to the plate and fulfill the requirements and pass this lovely little award on to someone who doesn’t already have it and is equally worthy. I must share 7 things about me and pass the award along so here goes nothing!
7 Things about Me…
1. My first part time job was as a sound engineer. I mixed the sound board and set the mikes for several productions that were held in the auditorium of my high school including the theatrical presentation of “Don Quixote”. I also was the girl behind the scenes mixing the boards for every production that graced the stage during my time in high school from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “Damn Yankees”. Because of this and the fact that I spent my youth running all over the countryside with my mom to Oak Ridge Boys concerts I was convinced I wanted to be a sound engineer when I grew up. It was a burning desire that quickly flickered out when I discovered home was where my heart was.
2. I love to read.
3. I used to work in the lab at a company that makes diabetes test strips. I spent 4-6 hours a day dipping test strips into vials of random blood and pee and recording my readings. It was a pretty cool job. I even got to wear a white lab coat and look all official.
4. I love cats and dogs.
5. I attended the CMA award show in Nashville, Tennessee when I was 18 years old. Lionel Richie performed that year and it was a thrill to get to rub elbows with all the stars and the music business elite at the post award show party at the Opryland Hotel afterwards.
6. I love to go camping!! Of course I do it in a very nice travel trailer. I can’t imagine roughing it in a tent!! UGH!
7. When I was little I wanted to be an animator at Disney, marry Prince Charming, and live happily ever after in Cinderella’s castle in the heart ofDisney World. Ahhh, the lofty aspirations of a preschooler! This last week I was tickled to redesign my website and create an avatar of me. It was so much fun!! I am living the dream. LOL
That wasn’t too painful! Now without further ado…here are the folks, in no particular order, I think are irresistibly sweet and talented writers in their own right! I absolutely love visiting their blogs and reading what they have to say and I am sure you will too!
Congratulations to each of you! You are all irresistibly sweet bloggers and I look forward to reading more of your work until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
