Big Bang of Country Music 2023

Pick up Locatins

TBD - Dubois
TBD - Clearfield
TBD - Philipsburg
TBD - State College

Please arrive at your pickup location 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

Friday, Sept 22

Travel to Bristol, TN with meal (on own) & rest stops en route. Dinner included this evening at local restaurant.

Sat, Sep 23

Gospel Brunch at Heartwood Craft Center
Gospel Brunch - Birthplace of Country Music - Front Porch Pickin'- It's Sunday Morning in Southwestern Virginia and it begins with a Gospel Brunch at SW Virginia Cultural Center- (fonnerly Heartwood), A modem arlisan center in nearby Abingdon, Heartwood blends Appalachian heritage, local craftsmanship (arts) with culinary delights. You will enjoy live Gospel Music from local mountain musicians and a beautiful buffet filled with fann fresh Virginia foods. You will also have time to shop for Virginia Mountain art and craft work. Sightseeing in Abingdon will include other local sights as time allows.

Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music® Museum, in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute, tells the story of our music heritage. From the Bristol Sessions and beyond, our region continues to influence music around the world. The museum embodies this accomplishment and promotes Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music. See why Bristol is home to the "big bang" of country music and browse the award-wining interactive exhibits.

Free Time to Explore Downtown Bristol
After the museum you have free time in downtown Bristol where State Street separates Virginia from Tennessee. There are many quaint shops, antiques, boutique clothing stores, fine art and more. You can take pictures with the famous Bristol sign, stand in Two States at once, and buy yourself a milkshake at the Burger Bar (rumored to be the restaurant where Hank Williams ate his last meal).

The Carter Fold
Followig a dinner break in Bristol, we drive off into the countryside to Hi/tons, VA. Here you visit the Carter Music Center dedicated to the First Family of Country Music, the legendary Carter Family (AP. Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter), whose first recordings (in 1927) are credited with giving birth to the commercial country music industry.

You will have time to visit the AP. Carter Cabin, and the Music Center whose objective is to promote old-time music and pay tribute to the Original Carter Family, The day's highlight is the Carter Family Fold music show. In keeping with the traditional music style, no electrical instruments are allowed (everything is acoustic) and there's lots of dancing and fun. This is not your typical Country Music show.

Sun, Sep 24

Visit the Johnny Cash Museum
Upon arrival in Nashville you will visit the new Johnny Cash Museum, featuring a world class collection of items that tells the story of his life. The museum houses the world's largest collection of memorabilia from the late country entertainer.

Ryman Backstage Tour - Guided
Next on tour is the Ryman Auditorium, the "Mother Church of Country Music." From 1943 to 1974 the Ryman was the home of The Grand Ole Opry. The legends of country music all played here, it's a romantic and historic landmark that is often used today for concerts and movies. After this tour you'll be able to say, you too were on the Ryman Stage.

Three Nights First Class Lodging, Nashville,TN

Nashville Nightlife Dinner & Show
Arrive at Nashville Nightlife for buffet dinner followed by "Best of Country" show. Come and experience a celebration of Country Music from both past and present. Hear songs from many of the great artists in country music history along with today's hottest superstars. Enjoy the music of everyone from Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline to the superstars of today like Sara Evans and Toby Keith! Throughout the
season we have many guest stars appear at our theater including: (Grand Ole Opry Star) Jeannie Seely, "The Fiddle Man" Tim Watson, Diana Murrell, "Nashville's favorite" Brenda Best, Paula Poe Murrell (from the Tammy Wynette show) and many other celebrities.

Mon, Sep 25

Nashville Troubadour Tour
This morning you meet your Troubadour, a Nashville singer / songwriter who is also your tour guide. Your sightseeing tour begins with the downtown area where you learn about its colorful history and beautiful architecture. You drive by the world famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Honky Tonk Row, the original Ernest Tubb Record Shop and more. As you motor thru Music Row you learn about the recording industry. You will hear insight from your Troubadour about what it is like to be immersed in the Nashville music scene, both the struggles and the victories! This is an "Only in Nashville" kind of experience!

Country Music Hall Of Fame
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the keeper of priceless Country Music Treasures. Your self-guided tour is a walk through history, one that leads you from the earliest folk traditions to the music that thrills millions of fans today. Every tour ends in the Hall of Fame Rotunda, the never-ending circle, and storied home of the inductees. As time allows your group can explore the Downtown. Visit Ernest Tubbs, shop for Cowboy Boots, have a beer at Tootsies and soak in the atmosphere that is unique to Music City.

Free afternoon & Evening for Honky Tonking
Then the balance of your day is free to enjoy the shows as you wish. Broadway Ave cuts through the heart of Downtown Nashville, from 1st Ave and the Tennessee River to the Ryman Auditorium on 5th. You will find many shops and boutiques such as Ernest Tubb's Record Store, Betty Boots and several Western Shops. Plus, attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame. But the real reason you are here are the showbars. Choose from Honky Tonk Central, Robert's Western World, The Stage, Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge, Whiskey Bent, Legends Corner, AJ's Good Time Bar (AJ is Alan Jackson), Jason Aldean's Kitchen & Rooftop Bar, Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row and several more.

Dinner at Ole Red's Nashville
Get your Honky Tonk on as we pull into town for dinner at one of Nashville's newest restaurants and music venues. In the heart of Downtown Nashville, Ole Red is inspired by Opry member Blake Shelton's clever, irreverent song about the Warden's dog, "Ol' Red.

Tue, Sep 26

Free Time at Opry Mills
This morning you will have a little time for shopping at Opry Mills. There are over 200 stores including; Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, J.Crew Outlet, Vera Bradley Outlet, Bass Pro Shops, and more.

General Jackson Showboat - Mid-Day Cruise
This afternoon enjoy a General Jackson Showboat Luncheon Cruise. It is the world's grandest showboat that offers a delicious meal and ente,tainment while cruising the majestic Cumberland River. Boarding begins: 11:30am

Backstage Grill Restaurant
Enjoy dinner at the Backstage Grill Restaurant. The show that made country music famous is now making its mark on Southern cuisine in a new restaurant at the Inn at Opryland Hotel as uniquely entertaining as the Grand Ole Opry itself.

Wed, Sep 27

Overnight Lodging Huntington, WV

Heritage Farm Museum & Village and Dinner
This evening visit the Heritage Farm Museum & Village. You are in for a historical treat as you step into a frontier cabin (ca 1850) and team of a frontier life based on agriculture and barter, as you tour from building to building the decades pass and you have witnessed 50 years of rapid change in American life as we moved from an agrarian to an industrialized society.

A Catered Dinner is also included with your visit this evening.
Evening of Country Music
Following dinner your group will be entertained by a local Country Musician.

Thu, Sep 28

Continue the journey home.

FB=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner