Nashville: What a Town!

I have driven through the great city of Nashville, Tenn., before, but I had never had a chance to check out some of the sites.

Until this past week.

On Tuesday, my fiancee and I drove to the "Music City" to see a benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Appearing at the concert were Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift.

The event took place at the Sommet Center, just two blocks away from the Ryman Auditorium.

Prior to the start of the concert, she and I had an opportunity to walk down Broadway.

I was completely amazed at how many bands were playing in all of the buildings.

It seemed every building we walked by there was a live act performing.

And it was only 6 p.m.

That was something I wasn't used to.

I have played music practically all my life and I've never seen that many acts performing live on one street.

As for the concert, I've never been the biggest country music fan, but it was actually quite good.

I have now seen Urban perform twice and he puts on a great show.

I still wouldn't classify his music as "country," but rather, easy listening.

Of all the acts performing at the event Tuesday evening, Gill and Hill were the most "country."

But it was a pleasure to see Gill on stage. My grandfather, who is a major reason I picked up an instrument, has always liked Gill because he is such a great guitar player.

He is really good.

Paisley and Urban did a duet of their song "Start A Band," which was -- in one word -- awesome.

I couldn't believe how incredible the two guitar slingers were. They really traded licks back and forth.

Urban performed for approximately one hour before Gill took the stage.

He even pulled out an acoustic and sang "Coat of Many Colors," a Dolly Parton standard.

A couple of acts were kind of difficult to actually hear because I sat next to two screaming teenagers, who I'm sure had no voice after Taylor Swift finished performing.

The show ended with a jam of Eric Clapton's hit "Lay Down Sally."

When I got home Wednesday, I called my grandfather to tell him about the show.

For several years, he's often joked with me about how -- someday -- I'll turn and start listening to country music.

It hasn't happened quite yet Papaw.

But as I said earlier, I don't mind listening to Urban at all. His music has a feel-good vibe to it.

And that makes it worth listening to.