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Nashville' s Country Music: An In-Depth View

Program Number: 15158RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/16/2013 - 5/19/2013; 9/19/2013 - 9/22/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Price starting at: $599.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Music Appreciation; History & Culture Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 9; 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt    

Make a pilgrimage to the home of country music, Nashville, and soak up this city’s unique sights and guitar-pickin’ sounds. Industry insider Dr. Don Cusic leads an exploration of Nashville’s music history from the 1950s “Nashville Sound” of Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline to later stars like Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton and on to current hit-makers Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Keith Urban and the Zac Brown Band. Trace the path of a song from writing to becoming a platinum record. From the Grand Ole Opry to Ryman Auditorium and Nashville’s famous live music saloons, experience country music as you only can here.




Highlights

• Enjoy a performance of the Grand Ole Opry.
• Learn about the all-time greats at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and visit famous venues like the Wildhorse Saloon.
• Feel like a Nashville star as you and your fellow Road Scholar participants make a recording in a professional studio.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile per day. Longer walks optional.



Coordinated by Belmont University.




Nashville

Visitors have long flocked to the top-notch music industry hub of Nashville for country crooning and boot-stomping energy, but the city offers much more than just music. Nashville is also a beacon of education, culture, industry and recreation in the South, boasting fine arts galleries, antebellum mansions and sculpture-filled botanical gardens.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with fitness center and free Wi-Fi in the suburbs of Nashville.
Meals and Lodgings
   Baymont Inn & Suites
  Brentwood, TN (Nashville, TN) 3 nights
 Baymont Inn & Suites
Type: Hotel
  Contact info: 111 Penn Warren Dr.
Brentwood, TN 37027 USA
phone: 615-376-4666
  Room amenities: Wireless internet, Free High Speed Internet, Cable TV, Alarm Clock, Coffee Maker, Hairdryer, Free local telephone, Free newspapers, Ironing Board & Iron.
  Facility amenities: Pool, Guest Laundromat, Wake-up Service, On site breakfast, Gym & fitness center, Free parking, 24 hour front desk, Vending Machines, Wheel Chair Access. Adjacent to restaurants and retail.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Must contact hotel directly. Be sure to mention that you are a part of the Road Scholar program to get rates.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Must contact hotel directly. Be sure to mention that you are a part of the Road Scholar program to get rates.
  Check out time: 1:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3 PM - Brentwood, TN. You will be staying at Baymont Inn & Suites that night.
  End of Program:
1 PM - Brentwood, TN. You will be staying at Baymont Inn & Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
No charge for parking at Baymont Inn & Suites
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Brentwood, TN (Nashville, TN)
  Nearest city or town:  Brentwood, TN (Nashville, TN)
  Nearest highway: I-65
  Nearest airport:  Brentwood, TN (Nashville, TN)
  From End of Program
  Location: Brentwood, TN (Nashville, TN)
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Brentwood, TN

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$30 to $40 per taxi
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

12 miles
   

Participants must provide their own transportation to the Baymont Inn on Thursday and return to the airport or bus station on Sunday.

 

Brentwood, TN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$40 to $50 per taxi
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

15
   

Participants must provide their own transportation to the Baymont Inn on Thursday and return to the airport or bus station on Sunday.
 

Brentwood, TN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
inShuttle
phone: 615-255-3519
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

`$20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

15
   

Reservations for this shuttle must be made in advance.
 
Driving Directions
  Bowling Green Kentucky Travel South on I-65. Travel through Nashville. You will follow signs to Huntsville. Exit from I-65 at exit 74B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
  Chattanooga, TN Travel West on I-24. Take I-440 (toward Memphis) to I-65. S. Go to Exit 74-B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
  Huntsville, Alabama Travel North on I-65. Exit from I-65 at exit 74B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
  Knoxville, TN Travel West on I-40. Exit onto I-440. Take I-440 to the I-65 exit. Travel South on I-65 (toward Huntsville). Exit from I-65 at exit 74B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
  Memphis, TN Travel East on I-40. Exit onto I-440. Take I-440 to the I-65 exit. Travel South on I-65 (toward Huntsville).Exit from I-65 at exit 74B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
  St. Louis, MO Travel East on I-24. Exit onto I-65 S. Follow signs to Huntsville, AL. Exit from I-65 at exit 74B Brentwood/Old Hickory Blvd. Go 1 1/8 miles West on Old Hickory Blvd, left on West Park Drive, Immediate left on Cadillac, immediate right on Penn Warren to hotel entrance.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & check-in. Dinner & Introduction followed by first class with Dr. Cusic
(Thursday, May 16)

Note: All activities this evening will be at hotel.
   
 Afternoon: Registration and check-in will be from 3-5 PM in the lobby of the Baymont Inn & Suites, Brentwood, TN
 Dinner: Dinner at Baymont Inn & Suites
 Evening: Introduction to the History of Country Music by Dr. Don Cusic at Baymont Inn & Suites
   
Accommodations: Baymont Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Class with Dr. Cusic followed by River Cruise on General Jackson. Evening at Grand Ole Opry.
(Friday, May 17)

Note: This day includes a trip on the General Jackson and an evening at the Grand Ole Opry.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in dining area of Baymont Inn & Suites
 Morning: Dr. Cusic will continue his discussion of the history of Country Music
 Lunch: River cruise on the General Jackson with meal and country music show.
 Dinner: Dinner at Venue near Opry
 Evening: Attend the Friday night performance of the Grand Ole Opry. This is a live radio show from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
   
Accommodations: Baymont Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: FInal class with Dr. Cusic, tour of Belmont Mansion, Country Hall of Fame tour, and walking tour of downtown Nashville. Day ends with time actually recording in a recording studio.
(Saturday, May 18)

Note: This day includes a tour of Belmont Mansion (pre-Civil War) with lunch in Grand Salon; a tour of Country Music Hall of Fame; walking tour of Honky Tonks in downtown Nashville; and ends with recording (will take home CD) in an area recording studio.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in dining area of Baymont Inn & Suites
 Morning: Dr. Cusic will discuss contemporary trends in Country Music and the business side of the industry (Copyright, royalties, etc.).
 Lunch: Guided tour of Belmont Mansion followed by lunch served in Mansion
 Afternoon: Armed with maps, directions, and descriptions of the venues, participants will have the opportunity of visit Honky Tonks, Hatch Printing, Wildhorse Saloon, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, the Ryman Auditorium, and other venues. Walking distance to the farthest venue is under 4 blocks, most much closer.
 Afternoon: Self Guided tour of the Country Music hall of Fame and Museum. Audio guides are available for a nominal fee.
 Dinner: Dinner at Belmont University
 Dinner: During our dinner we will be entertained by Jeff Lisenby, a member of the School of Music faculty who will play selections on his accordion chosen by the participants.
 Evening: Spend some time in a Nashville recording studio. Learn how a song is recorded. Group will record a song and you will have a copy to take home.
   
Accommodations: Baymont Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Tour of Ryman Auditorium
(Sunday, May 19)

Note: Behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in dining area of Baymont Inn & Suites
 Morning: Guided tour of Backstage at the Ryman
 Lunch: A box lunch will be provided for participants.
 Afternoon: Program ends upon return of bus to Baymont Inn
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Discovering Country Music


Author: Don Cusic


Description: Great for background. Dr. Cusic is the lecturer for our program. If you are interested in any particular artist, you might also enjoy some of Dr. Cusic's books about specific artists. If you have one, bring and he will autograph. Will also have some of his books available for sale at the program.





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