It's Gonna Be One of Those Nights

No-one complained about the weather yesterday as the rain just cooled us all down but things soon warmed up again as the stars took to the stage at LP Field. Good old Alabama kicked off the evening followed by the one of the hottest guys in Country right now, Luke Bryan. Since he's one of those on my "To See" (would have been so wrong to write my to-do list) list I'd been waiting for this for a long time. and what an amazing performance, that guy certainly knows how to please a crowd........especially the ladies. He can Shake It For Me anytime. Nicola, you really need to check this guy out ;)

 

Next up was Brantley Gilbert, not my favourite artist on the bill if I'm honest, and judging by the number of empty seats next to me during his performance I'm not the only one. That said he still got the crowd rocking the night away (thought this was a country show).

 

They all came back to their seats for the next guy though, Dierks Bentley Loved him at Country 2 Country back in the UK and after watching him tonight, and at the CMT Awards on Tuesday I love him even more now. Amazing performance including and audience full of beach balls........Adrienne did warn me xxx

 

Dierks Bentley

 

Rascal Flatts had us all on our feet with a mix of old and new songs but for me their performance of the night was when their band joined them for an acapella version of Pharell Williams hit Happy.

 

So, how do you top this testosterone filled evening? With Tim McGraw of course. Absolutely amazing, he loved that stage as much as we loved him, and even bought his wife Faith Hill  out for a duet on his latest single Meanwhile Back at Mamas

 

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

 

 

So at 12.30am we're all done, just time to get a couple of hours kip before we do it all again.

 

 

Luke Bryan

 

Brantley Gilbert

 

Alabama

Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts

 

And The Winner Is.

I can't believe that this was only the 2nd day of my Nashville experience, there is just so much to do around here that I'm walking my poor little tootsies off. So we were pleased to be resting them a little last night and joining in the celebrations at the Bridgestone Arena for the CMT Awards. (It's no good asking me to remember all of the winners so just click on the link and they are all there)

 

The show itself was being broadcast live across America and it felt quite surreal to be part of it all. Brilliantly hosted by Kristen Bell the evening had the perfect mix, opening with ZZ Top (yes, they are still alive) Florida Georgia Line literally jumping out of the stage to perform with Luke Bryan and Jason Derulo. The most colourful performance came from Little Big Town, all dressed in white, who were showered with paint throughout and ended up like Joseph's Technicolour Dreamcoat.  

Loved every minute of it.

 

 

 

Whilst I was there for there for the awards I have to admit to being a little star struck and spent ages checking out the Who's Who of big names sitting opposite me. Apart from Country's finest there was an appearance from Mrs Urban, John Legend and my mum's favourite Lionel Richie.

 

 

 

 

 

ZZ Top, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Jason Derulo

Kacey Musgraves and LeeAnn Womack

Keith Urban

 

Eric Church

 

Jennifer Nettles, John Legend and Hunter Hayes

Luke Bryan

 

Little Big Town

 

  

Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert

 

 

 

 Hope you're all enjoying this as much as me xx

 

Seen One Guitar........

Seems like every time you turn around there's a guitar, but hey, what do you expect in Nashville.

We had an amazing time yesterday, the novelty of being in a new city, taking in the sights and sounds, meeting up with friends, old and new, a little retail therapy, great food (check out Claim Jumper at Opry Mills ) followed by a night at the Opry. Wow, how can you beat that?

 

These mannequins  made me giggle

 

 

 Well we are going to do our best today as we set off again for Downtown Nashville. Checking out even more of the delights this city has to offer and taking a walk down to the Riverfront stages before I have to get out my posh frock for the CMT Awards this evening at the Bridgestone Arena (I'm expecting a late one so will post pictures tomorrow)

So before I leave you here's a couple more pics to keep you going. See y'all later

Living it up in Music City

So the dream has finally come true, we are now well and truly living it up in Nashville and what a fabulous first day. 'Up and at em' before anything was open this morning (now there's a surprise) with a trip downtown into the heart of Music City checking out the shops, bar and restaurants which will soon be heaving with the 80'000+ visitors planned this week.

A little retail therapy at Opry Mills shopping centre followed by an evening of fabulous entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry. 
This was a last minute addition to our itinery, found via a post on Facebook, and the next thing tickets were booked and we were on our way

 

 

First up was Terri Clark

Followed by Charlie Worsham

 

 

The powerful Jennifer Nettles

 

 

Bill Anderson

 

 

 Josh Turner

 

 

Oak Ridge Boys (Elvira bought back memories)

 

Trace Adkins

 

 

and the amazing Carrie Underwood

 

So there it is, the first instalment just for Jackie ;) Watch this space for more updates direct from Nashville

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clap Along If You Feel Like That’s What You Wanna Do

So here we go again, with a new and exciting project to get me back into the swing of things, #100HappyDays. I'm taking the challenge of posting a picture each day for the next 100 days of something that makes me happy, and it could be anything! Lunch date with a friend, spring flowers, family memories, and I'm hoping by the end of it there might be a little success on the scales too.

I might get myself a BOGOF kind of deal here too, this could very happily sit alongside my Project Life with an added opportunity to document this on paper too.

There's no better companion on this journey that Pharrell Williams and Happy 

 

 

So let's get started