If you love music, you need to add Memphis and Nashville to your Bucket List! Before Mr B and I went on our musical adventure to Tennessee, I thought I knew a lot about the history and evolution of music in America. Not even. We both learned so much on this trip, and I can't wait to share it all with you!
Back when Mr B and I were in high school together, he was mildly obsessed with Elvis. In a healthy way, but still. He used to listen to Elvis All. The. Time. I, on the other hand, was more of a Boston/Journey/Billy Joel/Fogelberg kinda girl. (Still am.) For me, Elvis was "Dad" music at best, and a little went a long way.
Now as I may have mentioned, Mr B is an extremely talented vocalist. Back in school, he’d often try to emulate Elvis’ tone and style; and vocally, he was as good as any Elvis impersonator as I’ve ever heard. (I still tease him even today that if we ever find ourselves in dire straits, I’m going to make him a bedazzled white jumpsuit and set him out on the curb to sing for our supper.)
But my point is, visiting Graceland has been on Mr B’s bucket list almost forever, and this year, I decided that for our anniversary, I was going to fill that bucket up. In other words, this trip was conceived solely for him: I was just going along for the ride.
Then something strange happened along the way: by the time I had our trip all planned out, I was just as excited to go as I knew he would be! As a music maker and songwriter myself, I was completely enthralled with the whole amazing musical journey we were about to embark upon – from the Mother Church of Country Music to Graceland to the Birthplace of the Blues. Needless to say, it took all of the self-control I had to keep my secret until our anniversary in early April.
To present Mr B with his gift: a Tennessee Bucket List. I made a little silver “bucket” and filled it with six laminated cards - one for each day of our trip (including two travel days). When I gave his bucket to him, he spent a few minutes reading through each of the cards, and then... I saw the light go on. The moment he figured it all out is one I will never forget. (Suffice it to say, it may have involved Kleenex.) Priceless doesn’t even begin to paint the picture.
I hope that you will join us as we recap our musical journey over the next few months here on the blog: even if you never plan to set foot in Tennessee, you will definitely appreciate what it has to offer. And for those who are even thinking about visiting Tennessee – especially if you love music like we do – I'm telling you now: you gotta go!!!
More Travel in the US South
- Nashville Travel Tips for Music Lovers
- 50 Miles on the Natchez Trace Parkway
- One Day in Tupelo, Mississippi
- Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex
- The Guest House at Graceland (Memphis)
- Memphis for Music Lovers
- The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
- Home of 1000 Hits: RCA Studio B (Nashville)
Southern Cooking
As is always the case when we travel, our trip to Tennessee inspired a number of delicious recipes! Here are a few of our favorites (do not skip the Peach Cobbler!):
- Southern Coconut Layer Cake (from Scratch)
- Easy Southern Peach Cobbler
- Shrimp Salad with Lemony Mustard Vinaigrette
- Hattie B's Nashville Hot Chicken (Step-by-Step)
- Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes
- 50+ Southern Barbecue Recipes (for Grill, Oven, Slow Cooker, Smoker & Instant Pot)
- Triple-layer Strawberry Cake (from Scratch)
- Shrimp & Grits Pizza
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Yasmin Ali says
My dad went a few years ago for a music festival and I have a great t-shirt from it saying "music in nashville!" I never been but I definitely want to!
katriza says
My dad worked in tennessee for a long time and totally loved the culture and music! Definitely worth adding to my family's bucket list!
Toughcookiemommy says
I've always been drawn to all the musical history in Tennessee. It is definitely on my list of places to visit.
Trisha R (@Rosewood_Grace) says
What an awesome gift! I've never visited Memphis, but I've been to Nashville a few times and LOVE it there!
Amber Nelson says
Nashville is on my bucket list! i will one day go there! So much fun music!
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries says
Nashville looks like a fun city to visit! I've never been there before but maybe one day I'll make the trip.
Glenda says
My daughter loves singing and music. Tennessee is one of the places she wants to visit some day.
Missy Burson says
I would love to go to Nashville and Graceland! My husband and stepkids are very musically inclined so it would be a great family trip!
Create/Enjoy says
I have never been to that part of the country at all but would love to go to Nashville and Memphis! What a cute gift idea too!
Louise says
I loved Elvis as a kid, but I haven't listened to his music in so long. I may have to look him up on Spotify in a second 😉
Louise x
Heather says
What an amazing surprise for your husband! I have never been to Nashville, but would love to one day - such a vibrant area!
Jeannette says
I loved this post but how can you not listen to Elvis all the time? I love his music as well as his movies. I am glad you guys had such a great time.
Blythe Alpern says
I've been to Nashville many many years ago. I loved hearing all the music pouring onto the streets from the different venues. I would love explore more of the music scene in TN.
Cindy Ingalls says
Tennessee does have such a great musical history. It would be so much fun to explore all of the different sight and music sounds.
Christine says
I always loved Elvis' music and he was soooooooooo handsome for his time! It was cool getting to see places in Nashville during the NHL playoffs. Made me really want to make a trip there.
reesa says
What an awesome gift! I am looking forward to following along your travels! I have always wanted to go to Nashville!
Pam says
What a thoughtful and awesome gift!!! I am an Elvis-lover and now my kiddos are, too!! I'm glad you got just as excited about the trip as you knew he would be and I can't wait to hear the recap.
Belle says
Awww! Love this post! That is such a sweet and cute gift to Mr. B. And I'm glad that he loved it! That is such a great idea!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Amanda Love says
What a sweet gift for your husband. It's a beautiful idea and it's definitely going to make any music lover happy. A trip like this is a dream!
Jackie says
This is so cool. I've always wanted to go and you gave some great ones. Thanks for sharing and what a nice read.
Angela Tolsma says
I'm very much a sit back and enjoy the music type of person. I would love to go to Nashville and see some shows! One day! Looking forward to the details of your trip!
The Culinary Jumble says
I am not American and neither am I a music connoisseur, but for me, Nashville and Memphis are synonymous with music! Would love to put both places on my bucket list!
Terri Steffes says
Eek! I have done a similar tour with my exceptionally talented percussionist husband, and he loved it! It has been awhile, so it was fun to walk down memory lane!
Angela says
I've never been here but have always wanted to go!! Now I have no excuses. Thanks for this awesome post!
Pech says
What an incredible gift you have put together that included knowing that this was on his wishlist and making it happen with all the research and all planning work that entailed plus the memorable presentation of the gift, and you still have the experience during the trip and the memories you make together there to further treasure. I've never been and look forward to the stories you share!
Erin (Platings and Pairings) says
LOVE this and all the creativity you put into Mr. B's gift!!! I can't wait to hear more about your trip to Memphis!
meredith{MarthaChartreuse} says
Nashville is very high on my list!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I LOVE that you did this! What a thoughtful surprise gift. I bet Mr B was over the moon excited! Can't wait to read more about your trip!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you, Marlynn. I think it meant as much to me to be able to do this for him as it did for him to receive this gift. In the end, we both took home so much more than I ever expected.
robin rue says
I got married by Elvis so I would love to go see Graceland someday. It sounds like a great area for music lovers.