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Nashville' s Country Music: An In-Depth View

Program Number: 15158RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/30/2013 - 6/2/2013; 8/22/2013 - 8/25/2013; 9/19/2013 - 9/22/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Price starting at: $749.00 - 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.




Date Specific Information

8-22-2013

This date will be based at a downtown Nashville hotel, walking distance to various venues and “honky-tonk” bars.



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
   Sheraton Nashville Downtown
  Nashville, TN 3 nights
 Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Contact info: 623 Union Street
Nashville, TN 37219 USA
phone: 615-259-2000
web: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1236
  Room amenities: Cable TV Hairdryer, Iron and Ironing Board, Wake-up service, Coffee Maker,
  Facility amenities: Fitness Center, Indoor Heated Pool, Laundry Service Enclosed parking garage - $24 for self park and $26 for valet per day Internet in lobby and wireless access in lobby. Available for $14.95 per day in room if desired.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $119 These are available but must be booked individually by participant.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $119 These are available but must be booked individually by participant.
  Check out time: 1:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3 PM - Nashville, TN. You will be staying at Sheraton Nashville Downtown that night.
  End of Program:
1 PM - Nashville, TN. You will be staying at Sheraton Nashville Downtown the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
The Sheraton Nashville Downtown has an enclosed parking garage. Cost is currently $24 for self-park and $26 for valet parking per day.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Nashville, TN
  Nearest city or town:  Nashville, TN
  Nearest highway: I - 40
  Nearest airport:  Nashville, TN (BNA)
  From End of Program
  Location: Nashville, TN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Nashville, TN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

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

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

under 10 miles
   

Participants must provide their own transportation to and form the airport for arrival and departure..
 

Nashville, 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:

 

Under 10 miles
   

Must make advanced reservations with inShuttle
 
Driving Directions
  Bowling Green Kentucky Travel South on I-65. Merge onto I-24 E via Exit 86 on the left toward I-40 E/Chattanooga/Knoxville. Take Exit 48 toward James Robertson Pky/State Capitol. Stay straight to go onto Interstate Dr. Turn right onto Woodland St. Woodland St becomes Union St. 623 Union St. is on the left. If driving, turn left onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
  Chattanooga, TN Travel West on I-24. Take I-40 W toward *-65 S/Huntsville/Memphis. Take Exit 209 toward Church St/Charlotte Ave. Turn slight left onto George L Davis Blvd/US-70 W/TN-24W. Take the 1st right onto Church St.Take the 2nd left onto 9th Ave. N. 9th Ave. N becomes Union St. 623 Union St is on the right. If driving, turn right onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
  Huntsville, Alabama Travel North on I-65. Merge onto I-65 N/I-40 W vis Exit 82A on the left toward Memphis/Louisville. Take Exit 209 toward Church St/Charlotte Ave. Turn slight left onto George L Davis Blvd/US - 70 W/TN-24W. Take the 1st right onto Church St. Take the 2nd left onto 9th Ave N, 9th Ave N becomes Union St.623 Union St is on the right. If driving, turn right onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
  Knoxville, TN Travel West on I-40. Take Exit 209 toward CHurch St/Charlotte Ave. Turn slight left onto George L Davis Blvd/US-70W/TN-24 W. Take the 1st right onto Church St. Take the 2nd left onto 9th Ave N. 9th Ave N becomes Union St. 623 Union St is on the right. If driving, turn right onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
  Memphis, TN Travel East on I-40. Take Exit 209A toward Chruch St. Turn slight left onto 14th Ave N/US-70 E/TN-24 W. Take the 1st left onto Church St. Take the 3rd left onto 9th Ave N. 9th Ave N becomes Union St.. 623 Union St. is on the right. If driving, turn right onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
  St. Louis, MO Take I-57 S toward Memphis. Merge onto I-24 via exit 44 toward Nashville. Take Exit 48 toward Jazmes Robertson Pky/State Capitol. Stay sgtraight to go onto Interstate Dr. Turn right onto Woodland St. Woodland St Becomes union St. 623 Union St is on the left. If driving, turn left onto 7th. The parking garage will be on the left just after you turn.
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, August 22)

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 Sheraton Downtown Nashville Hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner at downtown Nashville venue
 Evening: Introduction to the History of Country Music by Dr. Don Cusic at Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Class with Dr. Cusic followed by River Cruise on General Jackson. Evening at Grand Ole Opry.
(Friday, August 23)

Note: This day includes a trip on the General Jackson and an evening at the Grand Ole Opry.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at Sheraton Hotel
 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 in a Venue near the Grand Old 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: Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: FInal class with Dr. Cusic, tour of Belmont Mansion, Country Mjusic Hall of Fame tour, and walking tour of downtown Nashville. Day ends with time actually recording in a recording studio.
(Saturday, August 24)

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 at Sheraton Hotel
 Morning: Dr. Cusic will discuss contemporary trends in Country Music and the business side of the industry (Copyright, royalties, etc.). Class will meet at Belmont University.
 Lunch: Guided tour of Belmont Mansion followed by lunch served in Mansion
 Afternoon: Self Guided tour of the Country Music hall of Fame and Museum. Audio guides are available for a nominal fee.
 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.
 Dinner: Dinner at Belmont University
 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: Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Tour of Ryman Auditorium
(Sunday, August 25)

Note: Behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at Sheraton Hotel
 Morning: Guided tour of Backstage at the Ryman
 Lunch: A box lunch will be provided for participants.
 Afternoon: Program ends upon return to Sheraton Hotel.
   
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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