Day One of Cynthia and Ernie Have Fun

Damn we had fun. And I think we even kinda deserved it!

Home and feeling glowingly good from all the great music we heard and good friends we saw in Nashville at Americana Fest. It almost seems like a dream, but it was real, and it was magic. Restorative magic.

We got into town a bit after 3:00 pm on Thursday, and settled into our Air BnB. Here's a picture or two before we destroyed it.

Lovely.

We headed over the Little Harpeth Brewery (no wine, sigh) and caught the tail end of the Lily Hiatt set. I wish, wish, wish we'd seen more but loved what we saw. As I was standing there, after working myself towards the front, I realized out of side of my eye that the man next to me was maybe....yup, John Hiatt. He was very happy and proud. Nice. Ernie got a Lily Hiatt poster signed for Heather, we listened to a bit of the next band and decided to head out.

We got to the 5 Spot just as it was opening. Damn I love that place. Got to finally meet Mark Robinson, Sue Havlish, Joe Wolfe-Mazares, and Wanda and Bryan Smith in person. Oh, and I got a hug and some chat from Kevin Gordon, whom I adore. Got to see Cathy Stayman, our beloved Mary Sack, and of course Van and Karin too....am I forgetting anybody? Oh, I got to meet John Partipilo....charming, and God knows he's crazy talented. OH, and I met John Hadley. John HADLEY! The band was wonderful...so good---thank you Mark for such a great evening! I really enjoyed Dave Coleman who was sitting in, and whom I wasn't familiar with. And damn I love the big tumblers of wine I get there...and the POPCORN. I really don't eat that much of it, I just get so excited that they have popcorn that I order it. And yet again, charming bartenders.

The evening wore on, and there was this:

And this...

Yes. I know. I love them all so much. Our beautiful friends. We actually had to race off before we saw Kevin Gordon play.....decisions are TOUGH. However Aaron Lee Tasjan was playing a pop up show at Brown's Diner....so off we went.

We got there early enough that I got the super tippy counter seat nearest the music (I can't really call it a stage). Lord it was wonderful. Utterly wonderful. The sound was so perfect...and listening to the harmonies was magic. Brian Wright also did a song, as did Ladies Gun Club and Russell Thompson. Loved them all....truly did.  And good God but Aaron Lee's version of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow that he played because his father likes it (who was there) was weepingly beautiful.

We chatted to Aaron Lee Tasjan for a bit and he was utterly delightful. I never think people who play all over the place will remember me. I should have asked for a picture. I get shy. See? If Brown's served wine I would have! Damned Nashville liquor licenses. Anyway, it made us happy to see him. It's been a year and a half since he played our house and we are so proud and happy to see him doing so well...and keep trying to spread the gospel.

The whole afternoon and evening just felt so right. My people. I love being with my people. By the time we left Brown's it was well after 9:00 and we realized we'd never eaten lunch or dinner, and were tired from a crazy busy week. We headed back to our place with some junk food and sat and giggled to each other.

You can hear me laughing in sheer pleasure at the end of each of these songs.....so good.

Thanks to my beautiful boys for letting me not worry about leaving them at home.