Greetings from Nashville...
SHAUNA BITTLE / THE TENNESSEAN
Befitting of its title of Music City, Nashville was the place to be for cool concerts this past weekend. I was there to see country legend Porter Wagoner's 50th-anniversary show at the Grand Ole Opry. As if that weren't enough reason to get me there, special guests included Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, Little Jimmy Dickens, Connie Smith, and Porter's former duet partner, the great Dolly Parton (above, singing to Porter "I Will Always Love You," which she wrote for him).
But that was Saturday night, a full day after I took my father to see the White Stripes at the Cannery Ballroom. He hadn't heard of Jack and Meg White, but as Meg's drumming rumbled through the floorboards, my dad was an immediate convert: "That Meg is a really great drummer," he decided. Not even mentioned on the band's website, it was a last-minute show, the duo's first since December 2005. They were in fine form, too, with black-and-red motif intact. They previewed new songs from their upcoming album, and in homage to their surroundings, they also played songs by Nashville's greats: Hank Williams ("Tennessee Border"), Dolly Parton ("Jolene"), and Loretta Lynn ("Rated X," with a nice vocal solo by Meg). Sadly, Loretta wasn't in attendance.
The next day, as we toured the historic Ryman Auditorium, Bright Eyes's crew was setting up for that night's show with Gillian Welch. I asked if Conor Oberst was hanging around but got a chilly response from a burly dude in a black T-shirt emblazoned with "CREW": "I have no idea." I secretly hoped I would run into Conor and Gillian at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Alas, no dice. We did run into pop singer Seal in the lobby of our hotel, though, which was more of a thrill for my dad than me. No sign of wife Heidi Klum.
Porter's party that night was an incredible event, broadcast on "Grand Ole Opry Live." It comes on the heels of Porter's fantastic new album, "Wagonmaster," out June 5 on Anti- Records. As we watched the show from the sidelines, I realized I was 5 feet away from Dolly at one point (look for my crummy, poorly lit photos tomorrow). Inquiring minds want to know: Did you talk to her? I did not, and here's why -- No one talks to Dolly unless it's planned. She was friendly, of course, giggling and saying hello to everyone who caught her eye, but she was also escorted to and fro pretty quickly with bodyguard and small entourage in tow.
It was fascinating seeing in person an iconic celebrity you've always known from albums, movies, magazines, and television. I also couldn't take my eyes off of Judy Ogle, Dolly's longtime friend who stood at her side the entire night. Whether Dolly was chatting with someone or watching the show, Judy picked at Dolly's hair, putting pieces in place and combing it ever so. She also kept handing Dolly tissues to clamp her lips on, then she'd reapply her cherry-red lipstick.
Wow, a real live dolly.
