All You Gotta Do Is Act Naturally

Catching the winning pass in the Super Bowl, winning the Best Actor/Actress Oscar, getting in the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Grand Opry -- all of those are the biggest moments in the life of someone who has thrown everything they have at those unimaginable goals.

Carly Pearce, a former Airbnb maid, had that moment this week when icon Dolly Parton told her she was the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. As Pearce said later, “I’ve worked and waited my whole life for that moment right there!”

Fifty years ago, wannabe star Jimmy Buffett walked into the construction zone of the Exit/In club near Nashville’s Vanderbilt University and pitched himself for the new club. After a brief audition, the bosses said OK. That break and a few others later, and you have a guy now worth $500 million and a legend singing songs about food and drink and relaxation. Look ahead in July when the Buffett empire opens up the several hundred million dollar hotel/restaurant in New York’s Times Square. The Parrotheads will also converge in July on downtown Nashville when the Fins leader plays three shows at the Ascend Amphitheater.

Nashville, for many, is where dreams come true. Just like Hollywood, more flop than ever make it here. But you have the Kenny Chesneys and Tim McGraws who were long shots; Garth Brooks was selling boots at RiverGate Mall for a while. It’s about staying with it and believing in your dream.

Luke Bryan’s blessed life will be shown in a five-episode series coming August 6th on Amazon’s IMDb TV streaming service. “My Dirt Road Diary” looks great in the YouTube trailer now showing. Another guy with a big dream, and the dream came true.

I always remember the story of Chris Janson sleeping in his car downtown after playing at one of those downtown honky-tonks. Elvis Presley washing out at the Opry also comes to mind. Nashville is not a love at first sight kind of place. Not sure why. A lot of ghosts still lurking backstage at the Ryman Auditorium and everywhere.

Is this TikTok viral song from George Birge going to take off? “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” .... Google it, and the story. It’s a TikTok tune with 1.5 million likes. It started out as a criticism of Country music’s over-used themes, and became a full song. The hook does get in your head. We shall see.

And also on the theme of dreamers, Martina McBride gets a lifetime career salute for a year starting in July at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She married a Garth sound guy, John McBride, and sold hats and t-shirts for Garth. Look at her now. Got to love all these great getting started stories.

And how long did it take Friday morning for Garth to sell out Nissan Stadium and or break the internet? Pretty good for the Okie jock/boot salesman. He’s done pretty well for himself. Feeling shaky a few times, but he never quit. Can’t get any better than that!