LAURA IN NASHVILLE WITH RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STARR BAND

On August 8, 2019 I flew to Nashville, Tennessee, sans My Gentleman, to see Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. I arrived at 8 a.m. Nashville time so I had all day and the next morning to experience the fabled Music City. Considering there was only me and one night I stayed downtown at the posh Renaissance Nashville Hotel on Commerce Street. As I told My Gentleman it was important that I feel safe as a solo, late middle-aged female. I also pointed out to him that I was actually saving money since I got a great deal on the room and I could walk everywhere, thus saving the expense and botheration of wheeled transport. I call this way of traveling frugally extravagant!  

My taxi ride from the airport was a wonderful guided tour of Nashville by a friendly driver (same rate for taxis and Ubers; I checked because I’m frugally extravagant). I arrived at the hotel as the lobby was stirring. I was immediately greeted at the front desk by Delaney. She checked me in and arranged for my early-early-early access to my room as well as taking care of my bag. It was now time for breakfast and I sorely needed caffeine and food for the day ahead.

Delaney pointed me to The Little Fib Restaurant and Bar for breakfast. And what a breakfast experience! The Fib Restaurant and Bar is decorated in retro American and I was seated opposite a spectacular wall collage of portraits of a young Johnny Cash. I ordered the Southern Benny: shaved country ham, Tennessee cheddar cheese, Hollandaise sauce, and poached egg on a cornbread waffle. Yummy! 

My dining experience was enhanced by my talkative and attractive waiter, Jess, who had the time to chat with me about my plans for the day as he kept my coffee cup full. A personable young man, he spoiled me as if I was his grandmother; sometimes late middle-aged isn’t so bad! Stepping onto Commerce Street I felt as if I were entering another place and time, a place where forgotten memories were free to surface. I felt younger and unencumbered. I was excited and pensive as I walked towards the historic district.

In 1991 I saw Johnny in concert at the Siskiyou County Fair in Yreka, California, with my daughters and my late husband, Bob. We were in the premium seats, folding chairs on the dirt and very close to the stage. While my daughters and I were all caught up in the music Bob looked longingly at the stadium seating further from the stage and din. Such a fond memory to remember and a harbinger of the memories to come. 

I next climbed the stairs to the Patsy Cline Museum. Because her music has been continually played since her death in 1963 (she was only 30 when she died in a plane crash) I was unaware how short a career she had. Did you know that Willie Nelson wrote one of her signature songs, Crazy?  Looking at the artifacts, furniture and decor from her home, I was reminded of the house in Buena Park, California, and my father’s law office in Bellflower, California, both filled with early-American style furniture, large, garish ashtrays on every table (even if you didn’t smoke) and vases shaped as human heads or animals. I had collected the small ceramic animals so popular at the time, including a blue spaghetti French poodle set that sparkled. I wonder where my collection ended up? I seem to appreciate American kitsch more than I did in the past. I recently found a few pieces of 50s and 60s costume jewelry that somehow survived; I think I’ll start wearing them with my jeans and T-shirts. What I wouldn’t give to have this cowboy boot cigarette lighter! 

A confession: music has always affected me. I feel music; it enters my body and soul. I’ve been renewing my love of music over the past few years, enjoying the experience of really listening instead of using music as background noise to my life. Particular songs trigger remembrances of people and places that I’ve squirreled deeply away. In Music City you are surrounded by music–from buskers playing for tips to music enveloping you as you pass the open doors of bars and businesses. I felt a sense of well-being and loving-kindness that kept me smiling and nodding to my fellow travelers. I’ve always wished I could sing someplace other than my car or shower! Feeling music isn’t just me; research shows that the brain processes music differently in empathetic people and I’m definitely empathetic at least some of the time. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180612185148.htm

My next stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I was swept away by the stunning exhibits of original photographs, audio recordings, and instruments that constituted a timeline of country music. I didn’t have enough time to thoroughly explore the museum so I spent my time absorbing the origins of country music from its blue-collar and hillbilly beginnings of the 1920s and the singer/songwriters from Woody Guthrie to Brooks and Dunn. There came a time when the  ubiquitous Wurlitzer juke boxes made music easily available. 

I was entranced by the old photos of people making music on their front porches. I could picture my grandparents and great-grandparents sitting on their porches making music after a long day of hard work. As I wandered the time line of country music I discovered that my ancestors would have made Appalachian folk music, honky tonk and bluegrass which are the precursors of country music. I remember my grandmother playing a boisterous honky tonk piano when I was very small.. 

I admit I rushed through the twangy cowboy singer exhibits (think yodeling, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Sons of the Pioneers). Even with a second visit the next morning before I flew home I couldn’t savor everything on exhibit.  I am already planning my next visit to Nashville, this time with My Gentleman in tow. Nashville is the newest member of my happy places list.

A long morning of sightseeing brought me back to the Renaissance Hotel hot, sweaty, and longing for air conditioning. The charming and attractive bartender at The Fib (I’m a grandmother, not dead) made a dynamite Dark and Stormy or two. Since leaving the law I had no need for the imposing hotels hosting conferences and conventions so I people watched as professionally dressed men and women bustled through the hotel. I didn’t have to drink alone as I met several women taking a break from their meetings. Jess was still working and had time to chat with me, introducing me to the bartender. Jess was determined to make my visit memorable! He even tried to find the Hatch Show Print from Ringo’s August 7th concert, sadly failing.

Curiously, I found myself enjoying the crowd and chatting with strangers. I usually let My Gentleman take the lead (he’s much more extroverted than I) but on this trip I enjoyed striking up conversations.  My earrings (purchased at the Country Music Hall of Fame) were a great conversation starter. 

I was spellbound from the jump. The Beatles are significant in my life in so many ways. My birthday party in January 1964 was all about the Beatles. I was among the first to get the American 45 of I Want To Hold Your Hand and I Saw Her Standing There. I cried during their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, undeterred by my father’s commentary on their need for haircuts. I collected fan magazines, cutting and snipping photos and articles into endless scrapbooks.  I bought all of their American albums. I even named my parakeet Ringo. 

The Beatles have always been my happy place. I am heartbroken that I never saw the Beatles live. I so wanted to be one of the female screamers collapsing in delight even if you couldn’t hear the music. Needless to say my adoration of all things Ringo was not parentally endorsed. Is it any wonder that I would take great pains to see Ringo Starr before one of us dies? 

The concert was worthy of every dollar I spent. My seat was a folding chair, one of two rows placed directly in front of the stage; behind me was a   wide aisle merging into the pews where the general admission people sat. The Ryman was originally the Union Gospel Tabernacle and its journey from Tabernacle to a legendary music venue is a big part of the history of country music besides being an interesting story in its own right. My designated seat was in the second row, closer to stage right than mid stage, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t planning on sitting or leaving the floor to get refreshments or a bathroom break! I was there for Ringo and if you had told me what I was going to experience I wouldn’t have believed you! 

Before the band took the stage I met my soul-mate. She, too, was traveling alone. We are the same age, both having lived and breathed the Beatles as teenagers, dancing and singing to every Beatles song. She is one up on me though and I am so jealous. In 1964 her parents helped her to see the Beatles. Her mother bought the tickets and accompanied her to the concert while her father drove them to the venue in Chicago. She was so lucky to have perfect parents! You’ll be glad to know that I didn’t let my envy spoil my evening; her stories of attending the concert were the perfect precursor to Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band. 

What a group of All-Starrs:  Steve Lukather, a founding member of Toto; Colin Hay of Men at Work, Gregg Rolie of Santana and Journey, and Hamish Stuart of The Average White Band. Two outstanding musicians, Warren Ham on reeds and Gregg Bissonette on drums, rounded out the band. This incredible group of talent are touring together again in 2020 so you, too, can enjoy the experience of my lifetime.

PHOTO CREDIT:  SCOTT ROBERT RITCHIE

As the lights dimmed and the spots bathed the stage I was shaking with anticipation. I was seeing Ringo in person, finally, and from the first chord I didn’t sit down and neither did my soul-mate. We hung on the stage and worshiped our youth and the music of our time. We danced and sang along. We clapped and cheered in community with 2,360 fans (Capacity: 2,362). My soul-mate and I shared my longing that I had concealed for more than 50 years. Oozing sweat and hoarse from singing, my soul-mate and I hugged and parted inside the auditorium on the closing notes of With a Little Help From My Friends. It wasn’t until I returned to the hotel that I realized I didn’t know her name. I hope she magically sees this post.

I have a confession (or several) to make. I really let my teenage fan-girl out with Gregg Rolie and Steve Lukather. I flirted with Gregg shamelessly. I rested against the stage and made goo-goo eyes. Catching his eye I made hand gestures to encourage him to smile. He has the nicest smile I’ve ever seen. I even blew him a kiss! He was a sweetheart, encouraging this matronly groupie. I wish I had seen him when I was younger and could fling lacy panties on the stage with a straight face! He was awesome rocking Black Magic Woman (okay, he was awesome on every song). I just bought his first studio album in 18 years, Sonic Ranch, feeling all the excitement and urgency of buying my first Beatles record. Steve plays on a couple of tracks.  Gregg, you rock me.

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You may have been wondering why I left Ringo for last. It’s because I’m still overwhelmed. I’m stoked on seeing him live. Fifty years later I’m still sentimental about the Beatles and it is hard to find the words to express what Ringo and the Beatles meant to me. I’ve spent most of my life struggling with depression and the Beatles were always there to console and comfort me. I remembered a time when I was innocent, happy and hopeful, a time before depression slaughtered every good thing. I discovered that girl is within me and it feels so good to meet her again.

I was disappointed there wasn’t a meet and greet. I just wanted to say “thank you.” I know I’m not unique: the Beatles were of a very special time and place for my generation but being an infinitesimal element doesn’t dilute my gratitude. On the other hand, while in complete awe and reverence of Ringo (and therefore, probably speechless) I would have been swooning over Gregg and Steve at a meet and greet, an adolescent girl of 68! I’m having a blast with my pubescent-lusting for Gregg and Steve. Call the paramedics for Grammy Groupie!

The morning after the concert I saw that a local art gallery had offered Ringo’s paintings for sale; some of the buyers were able to meet with Ringo. Can you imagine spending beaucoup bucks just to say thank you? It was best that I wasn’t tempted as that purchase would have made My Gentleman apoplectic and me without a home (figuratively speaking, of course).

What makes Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band in concert so fabulous is that Gregg R., Steve, Warren, Colin, Hamish, Gregg B. and Ringo share their enthusiasm and camaraderie with the audience. There is as much fun on stage as in the audience. Needless to say I took pictures until my phone died. I also deferred to the “no video rule” until late in the evening (although others around me were filming throughout); it took awhile for my teenage rebel to surface. Of course, it is hard to flirt with a phone over one’s face and I didn’t want Gregg and Steve to miss the action! As it was I ran out of power, having forgotten my portable charger. Next time I’ll come armed.

And there will be a next time: June 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. This time I’ll be accompanied by my eldest daughter and grandson. My grandson plays sax and I want him to see what Warren can do with a reed. As for my daughter, she will see her mom as she used to be so as to better understand the woman I’ve become. I’m also hoping she can keep me from climbing the stage in pursuit of Gregg and Steve! UPDATE:  Due to Covid 19, Ringo Starr rescheduled his Spring 2020 All Starr Band to 2021.  And I’ll be there!